AFI Fest Adds ‘The Homesman’ Gala And Conversations With Keaton, Norton And Deakins

Tommy Lee Jones’  Cannes competition film,  The Homesman has been added as an additional Centerpiece Gala to this year’s growing lineup for the AFI Fest.  The film which he directed and also co-stars in with Hilary Swank and Meryl Streep among others  will screen on Tuesday November 11th.   AFI also announced a series of “Special Screenings”  including a number of other films that initially debuted at Cannes in May : Olivier Assayas’  Clouds Of  Sils Maria,  Mike Leigh’s  Mr. Turner,   Xavier Dolan’s  Mommy,  Bertrand Bonello’s  Saint Laurent and the Dardenne brothers’  Two Days,One Night. The latter three are also the official entries from their respective countries (Canada, France, Belgium) for Oscar’s Foreign Language Film race this year. Other special screenings are the documentary Merchants Of Doubt, Tales Of The Grim Sleeper   and the Alzheimer’s drama, Still Alice which has been drawing strong Oscar buzz for star Julianne Moore  since its September debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. Additionally AFI has announced that AFI Fest conversations will include a discussion with Michael Keaton and Edward Norton about their careers as well as one  Cinematographer Roger Deakins who will discuss his latest film, Unbroken.

This new programming joins an already announced group that includes Opening Night film, A Most Violent Year,  Closing Night film  Foxcatcher,  another Centerpiece Gala with Inherent Vice   as well as the World Premiere of The Gambler  and a special tribute to actress Sophia Loren.

AFI Fest 2014 Presented By Audi  runs November 6 through the 13th in Hollywood.