Film fans, get ready – the New York Film Festival has picked their first movie to show when the festival kicks off later this year. On September 27th, 2024, they’ll be screening “Nickel Boys,” the directorial debut of documentary filmmaker RaMell Ross.
“Nickel Boys” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. It tells the story of two Black teenagers in 1960s Florida who get sent to a juvenile detention center. Conditions at the center are brutal, and the boys struggle to survive in this harsh environment.
The film stars Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson in their breakout roles as Elwood and Turner. They’re joined by some big-name performers like Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Daveed Diggs and Fred Hechinger. Ross said he feels “honored” that the fest chose his movie to start things off.
Festival director Dennis Lim called “Nickel Boys” “one of the most daring films” he’s seen recently. He said Ross is really talented and this shows he’s become a major filmmaker. Choosing his movie as the opener puts it alongside other critically acclaimed flicks like last year’s “White Noise” and 2023’s “May December.” It also means “Nickel Boys” will likely be in the running for major awards later this year.
Adapting such a powerful novel into a film couldn’t have been easy. But reviews say Ross and co-writer Joslyn Barnes really captured the perspective of the characters. The cinematography and editing also help bring the story to life visually. “Nickel Boys” is sure to get people talking when it kicks off the New York Film Festival this fall.
