by Ursula Rogers

As SXSW returns for its 37th year. The once small, local music festival has continued to grow and become an even larger star studded event. SXSW 2023 saw stars such as Viola Davis,
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Keanu Reeves at their film premieres. This year, films starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Connor McGregor, Anne Hathaway, Ryan Gosling, Coleman Domingo, Sydney
Sweeney, Dev Patel, and many others will make their way down to the Lone Star State. The well-rounded set of featured narrative films, shorts, documentaries, and tv show premieres appear to be among the strongest I’ve seen in a while. And I’m thrilled at the prospect of viewing many of them. Here are some of my top film/ tv picks for SXSW 2024.

Roadhouse 2024
Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Southpaw, Nightcrawler) stars as
Dalton in this action packed remake of the 1980s film starring Patrick Swayze led classic action movie. Dalton is down on his luck ex-UFC fighter who’s offered a job as a bouncer by Frankie
(Jessica Williams) the owner of a Roadhouse in the Florida Keys. I wasn’t sure about the film before seeing the trailer. But with its slick editing and Knox (Conner McGregor) as a villain who’s sure to chew scenery, “I got a tip for ya, don’t let anyone get this close” Headbutt. It looks to be an adrenaline-fueled film that deserves a viewing on the big screen.

Sing Sing
This tale of friendship and connection stars Oscar Nominated actor Coleman Domingo as Divine G who’s a part of Sing Sing’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program. This was filmed on
location at a prison and is based on a true story about a group of inmates who were part of a theatre program in a prison. The program helped people escape their reality, was meant to
uplift, and help people connect. It gave them a safe place to recognize their own humanity in a world that ceased to see them as such. With the program and film there is the opportunity to
see the transformative power of art.

March 9, 5:45 p.m., AFS Cinema

My Dead Friend Zoe
In an unexpected road trip film U.S. Veteran (, Star Trek Discovery) stars as a US Vet who encounters the “presence” her dead friend Zoe. The film looks at relationships and how we process grief. This film is also SuperBowl winner, Travis Kelce’s first foray into film as a producer.

Monkey Man
“Just a small ember can burn down everything.” Dev Patel stars in his directorial debut as a man on a journey for revenge who fights in an underground fight club. “Monkey Man” was slated to premiere on streaming, but Jordan Peele watched the film and decided it was worthy to feature in movie theaters. I think the film viewing experience will be better for it. There isn’t much that
rivals watching a film with a SXSW crowd. I’m excited to see him in an action role. The trailer gave the overall tone of films such as “The Raid,” and John Wick with a hint of humor. I’m sure
this film will make its mark in the action film space. It has been nice to watch the evolution of his career from “Skins” to “Monkey Man.”

The Fall Guy
How can a movie go wrong playing a Bon Jovi classic as the trailer song? Oscar-nominated actor, Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman who’s put in the forefront to help solve a mystery. His classic comedic timing is joined by a star studded and funny cast including Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Hannah Waddingham, and Stephanie Hsu. You might recognize the name;“The Fall Guy” is ‘inspired by the 1980s tv series.

Immaculate
Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, Madame Web) portrays an American nun who moves to an Italian convent. While it starts off idyllic, there appears to be an underlying darkness that will change her life forever. I have hope there’s more to the plot than meets the
eye. The trailer drew me in. The acting appears to be above its standard premise. With recent disappointments such as “The Nun” and “The Exorcist” (according to critics) I’m sure fans of
horror are especially tired of this trope in the genre. I am optimistic about “Immaculate”.

Other films premiering are Anne Hathaway’s “The Idea of You”, “The Black Sea”, “The Uninvited”, “Babes”, and too many to name. Check them all out here.

Documentary: Clemente
As one of the Documentary Spotlight films, “Clemente” is sure to make an impact on those who view it. As a University of Pittsburgh alumni, of course I’ve heard of Roberto Clemente’s magnificent work and prowess on the baseball field with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 seasons. “Clemente” looks at the man off the field. He was someone who fought for justice and racial equality. Hopefully, this documentary will give his legacy a more well-rounded
perspective. Produced by Mike Blizzard (AFS Board Member), and executive produced by Richard Linklater (AFS Artistic Director) 

• March 11, 3:30–5:11 p.m., Alamo Lamar 5
• March 14, 11:00 a.m.–12:41 p.m., Stateside Theatre

More documentaries I look forward to seeing include:

“The Truth Vs Alex Jones”, “Diane Warren: Relentless”, about the iconic song writer, and “The Queen vs Texas” as part of the
Texas Shorts program. There are a lot of great activations with paramount Plus, reunions and retrospectives with the 25the Anniversary of Mike Judge’s “Office Space, The Daniels’ (Daniel
Kwan and Daniel Schneider) are going to talk about the award winning film “Everything, Everywhere All At Once.

Don’t forget to check out all of Austin Film Society’s SXSW events:

SXSW 2024 is shaping up to be one of the best in years.