by A. Freedman, Staff Writer

The Philadelphia Film Festival had a unique platform in 2020, in an almost entirely virtual experience. It is lovely that we are able to safely return to the theaters in 2021 for more of an in-person experience. I am as excited for the 30th annual edition of this festival as anything, and here are five of the titles that made my ears perk up the most.

The Worst Person In The World (dir. Joachim Trier)

Norwegian auteur Joachim Trier is one of cinema's quietest, most unsung masters. His 2011 film Oslo, August 31st was one of my favorites of the decade. He returns with his fifth film, The Worst Person In The World- said to be a sort of completion of an unofficial trilogy, including Oslo and his debut, 2006's Reprise. All are films about young people floundering- trying and failing to make the most of their precious, fading youth as the pressures of adulthood dawn on them. The buzz on this one is high- and I can't wait.

Ratcatcher (dir. Lynne Ramsey, 1999)

One of the best films of the 90's has also been one of the hardest to see- Lynne Ramsey's debut Ratcatcher has been unstreamable for years, as well as out of print on physical media (until a recent Criterion reissue). This 4k update will finally re-introduce a must see debut from one of our greatest filmmakers. Telling a simple story of a tragic but innocent childhood in Glasgow, Ratcatcher will find its way into your heart if you enjoyed films like Sean Baker's The Florida Project. See where the director of such films as Morvern Callar and You Were Never Really Here got her start.

Three Minutes (A Lengthening) (dir. Bianca Stigter)

I don't know if I will be emotionally prepared for this one. This documentary takes three minutes of found footage from a small, predominantly Jewish Polish village in the years before WWII, examining it in and out, in order to animate lives that would soon be lost in the Holocaust. As so many Jews living today (such as myself) had extended family who disappeared from villages just like this one, it's going to be a heavy look into our own pasts- to see what was lost long before we came around, and what we never had a chance to know.

Trade Center (dir. Adam Baran)

I had the pleasure of seeing this documentary short as a juror for QFlix- it will be playing in the Documentary Shorts roundup. This is the type of perfect short film experience- that highlights a fascinating intersection of culture and place that you may have never imagined. The World Trade Center was many things before 9/11. One of them was a designated spot where you could go cruising for gay sexual experiences, one of many such public places that have since disappeared as New York City has become what it is now. Featuring audio interviews with men who were a part of this world, Trade Center is an incredible reminder of the hidden parts of history that get lost in the dominant narratives.

Catch The Fair One (Dir. Josef Kubota Wladyka)

There are a whole lot of long movies about people talking to each other that play at any film festival- and I love those movies- but that's why it's important to cut your festival experience with more kinetic affairs when you can. A revenge thriller produced by Darren Aronofsky, Catch The Fair One is about a Native American female boxer who takes matters into her own hands when looking for her missing sister, and it's 85 minutes long. Sounds awesome, sign me up.