ANTICIPATED NARRATIVES: Featured narrative lineup for Cucalorus 31

Stephen Rosenberg
Nov 11
3 min read

When it comes to the Cucalorus Film Festival, over the past 30 years, no category has been more anticipated than the Narrative Feature block. Encompassing films from all genres, from drama to horror and niche sci-fi, the independent film treasures that have popped up over the decades never disappoint and serve as the cornerstone and most memorable selections of the festival.

Underrated critical horror darlings like “Tragedy Girls” and “Hellbender,” heartbreaking family dramas like “We’re All In This Together,” and thrillers like “Wicked Games” all had phenomenal starts at Cucalorus. The 31st anniversary promises much of the same with a lineup of 14 narrative features showing throughout November 19-23.

This year offers a fantastic blend of genres, with several films already generating a ton of critical and audience buzz. One of the most anticipated narrative features of this year’s festival is “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” a pop-culture comedy from “BlackBerry” director Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol that continues their cult-favorite comedy series, “Nirvanna the Band the Show.” The film, playing Nov. 22, 7 p.m. at Thalian Main, promises improvised comedy, heartfelt drama, and a time-traveling subplot.

THRILLING MYSTERY: “Sirāt” (Sat, Nov. 22, 10 p.m. at Thalian Black). Courtesy image. — ***THRILLING MYSTERY****: “Sirāt*” (*Sat, Nov. 22, 10 p.m. at Thalian Black*)*. Courtesy image.*

The selections aren’t all fun and games, though. “Sirāt ” (Sat, Nov. 22, 10 p.m. at Thalian Black) follows a man and his son who travel to Morocco, searching for their daughter/sister who went missing during one of their famous desert rave parties. After following a small group of partygoers to the location, a thrilling and potentially heart-wrenching mystery ensues.

If you’re looking for straight dramas, look no further than “Suburban Nights.” The film details a couple who try to regain their intimacy in the bedroom after having kids. It’s a low-budget, small-crewed, independent film shot locally with several recognizable Cape Fear locations. "Suburban Nights" shows on Nov 22, 4 p.m. at Thalian Main.

One film that I got the wonderful opportunity to screen ahead of time is Antoine Lanciaux’s “The Songbirds’ Secret,” or “Le secret des mésanges.” The French animated film is absolutely gorgeous and, in my opinion, has a real shot at an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film or Best International Feature Film if submitted to the Oscars. This is Lanciaux’s first feature-length film after a slew of beautiful shorts, including “Bonifacio in Summertime” and “Neige.”

“The Songbirds’ Secret” follows Lucie, a nine-year-old girl who is visiting her archaeologist mother during an excavation in the countryside. When Lucie starts following her friend Yann, along with two curious songbirds, she digs up family secrets on an adventure she didn’t know she’d be taking.

The animation is made entirely of cut paper effects, giving a beautiful and unique personality to the film that isn’t found as often in today’s flashy and CG effects-heavy animated world. Everything from the characters’ facial details to the stunning environment building of the French countryside has a cozy, calming, and friendly feel. The bond and relationships between Lucie and her mother, Caroline, are realistic and natural.

“The Songbirds’ Secret” has one of the earlier showings on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10:45 a.m., well before any of the nighttime Cucalorus shenanigans ensue. Don’t let the early time stop you, though; this is one of those eventual beloved French animated masterpieces, like “The Triplets of Belleville” and “My Life as a Zucchini.”

View the entire line-up of all 14 Narrative Features at Cucalorus 31 here.