The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) 2014 is only a month away, and while we wait with great anticipation to find out what this year’s programme has for us, it’s been announced New Zealand film The Dark Horsewill open NZIFF, in Auckland on 17 July at the Civic Theatre and Wellington on 25 July at the Embassy Theatre. Directed by Napier Robertson and staring Cliff Curtis, the film tells the story of Genesis Potini, the speed chess champion who passed on his gift to countless East Coast children. 

The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) 2014 is only a month away, and while we wait with great anticipation to find out what this year’s programme has for us, it’s been announced New Zealand film The Dark Horse will open NZIFF, in Auckland on 17 July at the Civic Theatre and Wellington on 25 July at the Embassy Theatre. Directed by Napier Robertson and staring Cliff Curtis, the film tells the story of Genesis Potini, the speed chess champion who passed on his gift to countless East Coast children. 

A further 12 other New Zealand films have been announced in the lineup for the programme, ten of which will have their world premieres. Keep an eye on www.nziff.co.nz for futher updates, otherwise programmes will be available online and around town from June 24 in Auckland, and June 27 in Wellington.

Here are my picks for this week on Rialto Channel:

Liberal Arts (2010)
Staring: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen & Richard Jenkins
Directed by: Josh Radnor
Screening: Rialto Selection, Saturday 21^st June, 8.30pm 

Liberal Arts is a smart, charming film about a 35 year old who returns to college and meets a gorgeous young woman who forces him to finally grow up. Written, directed and staring How I Met Your Mother actor Josh Radnor, Liberal Arts is similar to Radno’s debut feature film happythankyoumoreplease. Both films focus on characters trying to grow up, although in Liberal Arts it seems to be a problem faced by characters across generations. Radnor plays Jesse, a nice single guy in his mid-thirties who loves literature, over-thinks most things, and hasn’t found contentment and his place in the world since leaving college. He decides to revisit his second favourite professor, played by Richard Jenkins, and falls for Zibby, a smart young undergrad played by Elizabeth Olsen - the Olsen twins’ younger sister.

Le Chef (2012)
Staring: Jean Reno & Micharl Youn
Directed by: Daniel Cohen
Screening: Rialto World, Monday 16^th June, 8.30pm 

Rialto World features French films every Monday throughout June, and this week writer and director Daniel Cohen entertains us with his charming comedy Le Chef. Short, sharp and snappy, this gastronomic comedy tells the story of legendary French chef Alexandre Lagarde, whose traditional cuisine is being challenged by his restaurant's CEO who wants to bring in a younger replacement, know-it-all perfectionist Jacky Bonnot, played by former comedy singer Michaël Youn. It’s a typical French comedy, obvious and predictable, but Reno and Youn are easy to like as they gently poke fun at the restaurant world. Le Chef is a fun little treat, especially if you happen to be a Francophile and a foodie.

Burton and Taylor (2013)
Staring: Helena Bonham Carter & Dominick West
Directed by: Richard Laxton
Screening: Rialto British, Sunday 22^nd June, 8.30pm 

Helena Bonham Carter received a Golden Globe nod for her role as Elizabeth Taylor in this made for television movie. It’s easy to see why, she’s simply fabulous as the iconic actress. This film follows legendary acting duo and husband and wife Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor as they prepare for a 1983 theatrical production of the play Private Lives, which, as it turns out, was the last time they performed together. It’s an artful and intelligent portrait of the original ‘it’ celebrity couple as their tempestuous on/off again relationship comes to an end. It’s not only Bonham Carter who is well cast, so too is Dominick West as the aging Burton. There have been some average biopics about this couple but this is not one of them, rather it’s another example of exceptional British drama; diamonds, tantrums, glamour and all.