The 11th Miami Film Festival’s GEMS lineup will include an impressive collection of films including A Real Pain, The Room Next Door, and The Brutalist. The executive director of the festival James Woolley has expressed excitement about the showcase. He believes it to be a “must-attend festival”. 

One of the standout films on October 30 is Pedro Almodóvar’s comedy/drama The Room Next Door. This Sony Pictures Classics film stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as Ingrid and Martha. These two women were once close friends but drifted apart. Ingrid became a novelist, while Martha became a war reporter. Fatedly their paths cross paths again but under different circumstances. The film will explore themes of reconnection and friendship. 

Also screening for the Academy Awards is the comedy/musical Emilia Pérez. It is directed by Jacques Audiard. This film follows the journey of four women in Mexico, each striving for happiness on their own terms. The story focuses on Emilia (played by Karla Sofía Gascón), a feared cartel leader who enlists the help of a lawyer, Rita (Zoe Saldaña), to fake her death and live as her authentic self. The film also stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Édgar Ramírez. 

Pablo Larrain’s drama/musical Maria is another highlight, starring Angelina Jolie as the soprano Maria Callas. The film portrays Callas during her final days, as she reflects on her life in the public eye. It will be an important quest for her self-understanding. 

Another anticipated screening is Brady Corbet’s drama/romance The Brutalist, The film follows architect László Toth (Adrien Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) as they escape post-war Europe and begin their lives in America. Their journey takes a dramatic turn when they encounter a mysterious client. The film, written by Corbet and Mona Fastvold, also features standout performances by Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, and Isaach De Bankolé. 

The festival will conclude November 3 with Searchlight Pictures’s comedy/romance A Real Pain, directed, written, and starring Jesse Eisenberg. The film focuses on cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who embark on a journey through Poland. They are attempting to pay homage to their grandmother. However, what starts as a simple trip soon becomes an unresolved family issue with historical reflections.

In addition, there will also be a marathon screening of Alfonso Cuarón’s upcoming Apple TV+ series Disclaimer. This year’s GEMS lineup promises to be a showcase of artistry, storytelling, and emotional depth. It is going to set the stage for the Miami Film Festival in April.