Must-See Movies Nov 19: Wicked 2, Running Man, Jean Valjean & More!

Wicked: Part II directed by Jon M. Chu

Starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey…

What’s it about? The continuation of the tale of Elphaba and Glinda, two legendary witches from the land of Oz. Once close, now divided by fate, they each follow their own paths seeking truth and justice.

Did you know? Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, actually bleached her eyebrows and hair for the role. She also underwent six months of intensive daily singing and acting lessons to prepare.

Running Man by Edgar Wright

Featuring Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, William H. Macy…

What’s it about? Set in the near future, The Running Man is the top-rated TV show: a brutal survival game where participants, known as Runners, must evade professional assassins for 30 days under the watchful eyes of a riveted audience.

Did you know? Running Man is based on a 1982 Stephen King novel written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. It was previously adapted into a 1987 film directed by Paul Michael Glaser, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the lead.

Case 137 by Dominik Moll

Starring Léa Drucker, Guslagie Malanda, Mathilde Roehrich…

What’s it about? Case 137 initially appears to be just another investigation for Stéphanie, an officer of the IGPN—France’s internal police oversight agency. A tense protest, a young man injured by a rubber bullet, and unclear circumstances demanding clarity on responsibility… But an unexpected twist transforms the case from a mere number into a personal challenge for Stéphanie.

Did you know? Dominik Moll’s project originated from his curiosity about the largely undocumented workings of the IGPN. His narrative thrives on the rare chance to delve into the internal tensions of this misunderstood institution, an opportunity that allowed him direct observation of the officers’ methods, motivations, and challenges.

Jean Valjean by Eric Besnard

Featuring Grégory Gadebois, Bernard Campan, Alexandra Lamy…

What’s it about? Set in 1815, the story follows Jean Valjean as he emerges from years of hard labor in the galleys, broken and shunned by society. Wandering aimlessly, he finds shelter with a clergyman, his sister, and their maid. In this crucial night, Jean Valjean faces a choice that will define his future.

Proofs of Love by Alice Douard

With Ella Rumpf, Monia Chokri, Noémie Lvovsky…

What’s it about? Céline is anticipating the arrival of her first child, yet she is not the one pregnant. In three months, her wife Nadia will give birth to their daughter. Amidst the scrutiny of her friends, her mother, and the eyes of the law, she seeks her rightful place and legitimacy.

Did you know? The film draws directly from the director’s personal experience. Like the character played by Ella Rumpf, she too was in the position of awaiting her first child, which her wife was carrying, prompting a host of questions from herself and those around her.

Shelby Oaks by Chris Stuckmann

Featuring Camille Sullivan, Sarah Durn, Brendan Sexton III…

What’s it about? Driven by her sister’s mysterious disappearance, a woman embarks on a desperate quest that leads her into the depths of an eerie mystery orchestrated by an elusive evil.

Did you know? Before stepping behind the camera, Chris Stuckmann gained fame on YouTube. With a channel boasting over two million subscribers, he shared his passion for movies through reviews. Now, he makes his directorial debut with Shelby Oaks.

Franz K. by Agnieszka Holland

Starring Idan Weiss, Peter Kurth, Carol Schuler…

What’s it about? From his childhood in Prague to his disappearance in Vienna, the film charts the life of Franz Kafka, a man torn between a desire for an ordinary life and his overwhelming compulsion to write, set against a backdrop of tumultuous love affairs.

Did you know? Franz Kafka is portrayed by actor Idan Weiss, marking his first major film role. Previously, Weiss had only appeared in two short films, Grauer-Reiter (2018) and Weltschmerz (2020).

Eleanor The Great by Scarlett Johansson

With June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Chiwetel Ejiofor…

What’s it about? Eleanor Morgenstein, a spirited and vibrant 94-year-old woman, faces a profound loss and recounts a story that takes a perilous turn.

Did you know? The screenplay was inspired by the life of writer Tory Kamen’s grandmother, who resembles the character played by June Squibb. Like her, she moved from Florida to Manhattan at age 95 with the intention of starting anew.

The Tree of Knowledge by Eugène Green

Featuring Rui Pedro Silva, Ana Moreira, Diogo Doria…

What’s it about? In Lisbon, young Gaspar falls into the clutches of The Ogre, a man who has made a pact with the Devil. Using the boy to lure tourists whom he then transforms into animals for consumption, Gaspar escapes with a dog and a donkey, who become his companions.

Did you know? This marks Eugène Green’s fourth film shot in Portugal, following The Portuguese Nun (2009), How Fernando Pessoa Saved Portugal (2017), and Lisbon Revisited (2019), produced as part of an exhibition at the Fundação Serralves.

Pompei, Beneath the Clouds by Gianfranco Rosi

What’s it about? Set in Pompeii, Naples, and beneath Mount Vesuvius, the film weaves the lives of archaeologists, firefighters, educators, sailors, and photographers against the backdrop of the looming volcano. Through their stories, it crafts a unique portrait of the city as a time-traveling machine.

Did you know? Gianfranco Rosi started editing the film during shooting. As soon as he captured footage of people, places, or actions, he immediately proceeded to edit them. The editing process, intertwined with the filming, spanned three years, emphasizing the film’s ongoing creation.