Sex and seriousness: Sydney Film Festival announces first 26 titles – The Sydney Morning Herald

It’s directed by Desiree Akhavan, who was a festival guest with her first film, Appropriate Behaviour, in 2014.

“It’s a really inspiring film about sexuality and acceptance,” Moodley says. “And I very much hope she’ll join us at the festival again.”

The line-up includes Israeli director Samuel Maoz’s Foxtrot, a Venice prizewinning drama about a Tel Aviv couple who learn their soldier son has been killed. Moodley calls it “one of the most exhilarating and shocking films that people will see in a long time”.

As well as new films from acclaimed directors Sebastian Lelio (A Fantastic Woman) and Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone), Mia Wasikowska stars in the psychosexual thriller Pierc…