Austrian film curator Alexander Horwath discusses his video essay 'Henry Fonda for President', screened at Berlinale Forum, which explores the narrative of America through the biography and roles of actor Henry Fonda. The film intertwines Fonda's life with US history up to the early 1980s, inviting audiences to reflect on democracy's complexities. Horwath emphasizes the potential for a kind of authorship through performance, and the difficulty in separating an actor's personal life from their on-screen personas.

Catherine McCormack and Colin Firth are set to star in the Sky and Peacock limited series 'Lockerbie', directed by Otto Bathurst. The series, based on the book 'The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father’s Search for Justice' by Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph, explores the 1988 air disaster and its aftermath. McCormack will play Jane Swire, wife of Dr. Jim Swire, portrayed by Firth, who lost their daughter in the attack. The series will provide an intimate account of Dr. Swire's pursuit of truth and justice. The show is a co-production between Carnival Films and Sky Studios, with David Harrower as the lead writer.

Disney's centennial celebration film 'Wish' is criticized for its lack of originality. 'Souls of a River' is a poignant documentary about the Evros River, resonating with viewers. 'Totem' is praised for its careful portrayal of a girl dealing with the impending death of her father. 'Auf dem Weg – 1300 km zu dir' is appreciated for its nature shots and introspection but criticized for its storytelling pace.

The streaming portal THIS IS SHORT, curated by six European film festivals, will continue to operate year-round starting 20 November 2023. Initially launched during COVID-19 lockdowns, it has been supported by the Creative Europe - MEDIA strand of the EU and developed by ThisWayUp, with design by Uniforma. The non-profit project, part of the European Short Film Network, aims to support European and international short films and filmmakers. It will feature 100 films from around 30 countries, focusing on the short format as a source of innovation for film art.

In 'LaRoy,' Shane Atkinson's feature debut, small-town citizens in Texas face a series of misadventures involving murder and stolen money. The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is now showing at the 61st Viennale, combines dark comedy with a critique of rural American life. Characters like Ray Repsen, played by John Magaro, and Steve Zahn's wannabe detective Skip navigate a world of misunderstandings, fragile male egos, and a quest for respect and prospects. Atkinson's film is noted for its warm visuals, country music, and a blend of humor and heart in portraying the American underbelly.

Martin Scorsese's latest epic, 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' addresses the historical murders of Native Americans in Osage County during the 1920s, based on journalist David Grann's book. The film stars Scorsese's muses Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, with DiCaprio playing the naive Ernest Burkhart and De Niro portraying the duplicitous William King Hale. The story revolves around the Osage tribe, who were relocated to an inhospitable land in Oklahoma that later turned out to have valuable oil reserves. As the tribe members begin to die mysteriously, the white spouses, children, or trustees like Hale inherit the land. Scorsese's narrative draws parallels to contemporary society and avoids portraying the indigenous community as passive victims, with Lily Gladstone's performance as Mollie being particularly noted for its strength.

The 61st Viennale, Vienna's film festival, is set to take place from October 19-31 with a lineup that includes discoveries, major festival hits, and crowd-pleasers. The opening film is Gábor Reisz's 'Explanation for Everything', reflecting on Hungary under Viktor Orban. The festival features Austrian productions, international winners from Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, and a retrospective dedicated to Raúl Ruiz and Chilean cinema on the 50th anniversary of Pinochet's coup. Austrian cinema of the 1980s and works by James Baldwin are also highlighted. The industry section includes talks from Alba Rohrwacher and Radu Jude, with Catherine Deneuve as a special guest. The closing film is Quentin Dupieux's comedy 'Yannick', and the Kunsthalle returns as the festival's headquarters.

Elisabeth Scharang's film 'Woodland', adapted from Doris Knecht's novel, premiered in Toronto and is set to screen at Zurich before launching in Austrian cinemas. The film, starring Brigitte Hobmeier, explores themes of mental trauma and healing set against rural winter landscapes. It follows Marian, a former star-journalist and survivor of an attack, who retreats to her grandmother's old farmhouse to find peace and confront her past. The film uses sombre landscapes, local characters, and flashbacks to depict Marian's journey of healing and the impact of her return on her childhood friends' lives. The narrative progresses from a murky autumn to a sun-filled late spring, symbolizing the characters' growth and recovery.

Vienna Calling, a music documentary-cum-musical by Philipp Jedicke, explores Vienna's underground music scene, portraying the city's subcultures and creative spirit. The film features artists like Lydia Haider and Der Nino aus Wien, avoiding clichéd portrayals of Vienna and instead focusing on its alternative and youth scenes. Despite its authentic feel and unique perspectives, the documentary struggles to delve deeply into its subjects. Vienna Calling premiered at the 2023 Diagonale and is being shown in Austrian cinemas, released by Filmladen Filmverleih GmbH and produced by Amour Fou Vienna GmbH in cooperation with Germany's Fruitmarket & Lizenzen.

She Chef, a documentary by Melanie Liebheit and Gereon Wetzel, follows chef Agnes Karrasch's journey through international restaurant kitchens, highlighting her experiences as a woman in the male-dominated field of Haute Cuisine. The film, which premiered at DOK Leipzig 2022 and had its Austrian premiere at Crossing Europe 2023, showcases Karrasch's internships at Vendôme, Disfrutar, and Koks, focusing on her personal growth, ambition, and the challenges of sexism and work-life balance in the culinary world. Karrasch's story culminates in her finding a harmonious blend of professional success and personal life in the Faroe Islands.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the sequel to the 2019 hit, returns with Billy Batson and his foster siblings facing new divine enemies. Despite the interesting premise, the film fails to deliver the humor and charm of its predecessor, offering a typical superhero blockbuster with little emotional depth. The performances of Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu are highlights, but the film is criticized for its lack of character dynamics and an overreliance on CGI without substantial emotional engagement.

Adrian Goiginger's film 'Rickerl' takes an emotional dive into Vienna's pub and music scene, featuring Austrian singer-songwriter Voodoo Jürgens in his acting debut. The film, which premiered at the 61st Viennale, explores the life of a character similar to Jürgens, who faces generational trauma and struggles to balance personal aspirations with adult responsibilities. Despite the protagonist's flaws, the film is praised for its heart, musical interludes, and authentic portrayal of Vienna's traditional bars.

In an interview at Berlinale 2023, director Christoph Hochhäusler discusses his film 'Till the End of the Night', focusing on modern-day romances and the concept of staying true to oneself. The film features a romance between a trans woman, Leni, and a gay, emotionally distant cop, Robert, intertwined with a drug investigation. Hochhäusler explores themes of personal identity, societal expectations, and the complexities of relationships, including the challenges faced by Robert in dealing with Leni's transition. The film also subverts typical narratives by including LGBTQ characters and a gangster with emotional intelligence.

The Oscars 2023 are set to take place on March 12 in Los Angeles, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting the event. Controversy surrounds the nomination of Andrea Riseborough for Best Actress, which has been criticized for alleged prohibited lobbying. The article provides an analysis of the favorites and nominations in the top nine categories, including predictions for winners such as 'Im Westen nichts Neues' for Best International Film and Guillermo del Toro's 'Pinocchio' for Best Animated Feature. Angela Bassett, Ke Huy Quan, Cate Blanchett, and Michelle Yeoh are among those highlighted as likely winners in their respective acting categories. The directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert are predicted to win Best Director, and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' is expected to win Best Picture.