2023 Telluride Film Festival – Day 1 – ‘The Bikeriders,’ ‘Rustin’ and a 50th Celebration

What if you threw a party and nobody came? Or you had nothing to offer them when they arrived? These were some of the fears lurking throughout the weeks ramping up to the fall film festival season. It’s hard enough to maintain civility trying to cobble together the best of the film offerings amongst the possibilities while competing with the other big fall fests for the same, coveted titles. When chaos is thrown into the mix of the dual-headed strikes and their restrictions on what can be done by whom to promote these films, the gloves come off. Though, feathers were ruffled, the camaraderie between the fall fests has survived, for the most part.

The Telluride Film Festival is a survivor. It always has been. And it seems that the plans they’ve embarked on are setting the foundations (somewhat literally,) for staying grounded for years to come. And as should be expected, they plan to celebrate the five decades alongside feting the greatest films this year has to offer. As can be seen in the photo, there will be lots of “had to be there” moments to enjoy.

The plans for the future are solid, as concrete as a permanent home being established in the historic Nugget Building, to be refurbished and revitalized through the multi-year, multi-million dollar effort already underway. Contact the festival if you’d like more information or to donate to The Nugget Project. TFF will survive, in whatever form it evolves into, far into the future.

Actors are here, and are allowed to be here. Through Interim Agreement projects or foreign films not covered by AMPTP issues, there is legitimate allowances for actors to come and promote their films here. But with deference to the individual comfort level of each actor here, the festival has chosen not to list those names in the attending rosters, and ask that the festival attendees refrain from any recording of actors who might be participating in the Q&As or other promotions of the projects here.

It is somewhat unfortunate that misunderstandings of the subtleties of who is actually being struck against and what the image of an actor touting a film instills in the most fervent, though less informed, public at large, but it is a nice accommodation by the fest to make sure no one is pressured into making uncomfortable decisions, no matter their legitimate right to do a thing.

So, if in my reports throughout the week, I happen to mention an actor or two, think kindly on them and know that everything is in the best spirit and in unison with the goals of the Guilds’ desires. We are all in the same boat, going along with the same current. Exemplary of that fact, you just need to have heard the director of the Netflix film Rustin, George C. Wolfe introduce the film’s premiere. Even though Netflix is one of the struck companies, Wolfe thanked profusely his absent cast, encouraging them to keep fighting the good fight.

Speaking of the films…

The first film I sat down to see was first time Telluride attendee Jeff Nichols’ film The Bikeriders. I'm sure the programmers realized how fitting a nostalgic movie about a motorcycle club would be playing in this town, especially as the long weekend rolls around and the usual non-film visitors roll in on their two-wheelers. There may be quite a number of individual tickets sold this weekend.

Twenty years ago, Nichols was introduced to Danny Lyon’s book with iconic photographs and interviews of motorcycle club members from the 60s and early 70s. Nichols endeavored to recreate the feeling of freedom that book inspired in him in filmic form. Through a very chopper-style creative process, Nichols was able to weave a compelling narrative through interview style and posed photographic inspired scenes, crafting a unique combination of form that works out into a very smooth visceral experience.

The theme could be summed up as outsiders still want to belong. And the ensemble cast brought together for this film embody that spirit. All individual, quirky, faulted and expertly played. The reality is palpable. The exquisite sound design revs the engines perfectly, contributing to the emotional interplay the characters and story evoke. If I started to pick the incredible performances individually from the ensemble, this article would run for days. Take it as read, any one of them could have been the lead easily, and just as easily they all fall into the tapestry of the story seamlessly. I do have to pick one stellar performance to accolade. Jodie Comer is amazing as the glue that holds the narrative together and her performance as Kathy is filled with the nuance and acumen of one of the greatest actors of all time. She is definitely awards-worthy, as she will be for years to come in whatever she does.

On a final note, I could find no flaw in this film. It felt very familiar to me. I could easily see my own friends and family members up there on the screen. This film will be well received and long remembered.

I finished the day with another historically realized film. Rustin delves into the details of a well-known historical political movement. I say well-known, but, the 1963 March on Washington is more iconic. There were many larger-than-life players in that event and any one of which could- and have- been focused on in historical accounts and dramatic interpretations. One figure pivotal to the success of the event has until now missed the spotlight. And that is the story of Bayard Rustin.

How do you tell a riveting story about the person behind the organizational logistics of setting up a political rally, even one on this unprecedented scale, and make it interesting? Well, it helps that the person is as larger than life and had so complex a life as Bayard Rustin. And extremely well-read, highly intelligent, and passionate soul, he was a person you could easily gravitate to and follow. He was also a Quaker-raised, former communist, and gay, all things that in the 60s were, let’s just say, not the recognized norm. The man was a barely contained tempest of equal parts passion and rage. He was driven for the cause, willing to do what it takes and face the extremely dire consequences in the process of getting there. Great subject matter for director George C. Wolfe to wrap a film around, but, who to play him?

From the first frames, Colman Domingo booms into clear focus, powerfully demonstrating the constrained turmoil under the surface of this brilliant, larger-than-life, real-life person. His performance leads the way and the consummate supporting characters easily flow in his wake. The film maintains the nearly impossible task of being inspirational and personally poignant, perfect, and foibled. It’s a solid, wonderful homage to a true hero who should be remembered for his achievements.

The production isn’t perfect, but, the flaws do not get in the way of the story being told. All in all this film will be well-received in the pantheon of historical keepers.