SIFF presents Auteur August, a celebration of visionary directors

SEATTLE – SIFF will celebrate three superlative directors during the month of August with its Auteur August retrospective film series at SIFF Cinema Egyptian. The series, which runs August 5-25, will celebrate the films of the Wachowskis, Taika Waititi, and Guillermo del Toro, three directors whose style and technique set them apart from every other filmmaker in the industry with careers that have transitioned from the world of arthouse cinema and achieved popular success.

“Directors that earn the term auteur don’t just create films; they create worlds,” said Beth Barrett, SIFF Artistic Director. “Many directors assume the auteur mantle, but fewer are able to translate that into wide-appeal blockbuster level films—Taika Waititi, the Wachowskis, and Guillermo del Toro are three directors who have maintained that sense of worldbuilding as they have moved from independent work to major studio success.”

New Zealand-based Taika Waititi’s uproarious and absurd humor has become a hallmark of his films, from indie hits like What We Do in the Shadows to the blockbuster films of the Thor franchise, Thor: Ragnarok, and the recently released Thor: Love and Thunder. A multi-talented director, actor, comedian, and screenwriter, he approaches his films with an anarchic sensibility: an eye for the absurd accompanied by humane and kind worldviews. His complete filmography will screen August 5-11 at SIFF Cinema Egyptian.

Lilly and Lana Wachowski have been creating worlds by telling stories of emerging consciousness, the paradox of choice, and the transcendence of self for more than 25 years. Their films include Jupiter Ascending, Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas, and the generation-defining Matrix series. Arguably the most prominent trans women in entertainment history, their themes of deep self-discovery and the pursuit of truth and reality are hallmarks of their work. The compelling characters and immersive world of the Matrix series alone have transformed the modern blockbuster. Their filmography will screen at SIFF Cinema Egyptian August 12-18.

Guillermo del Toro has made a career of wild, terrifying, and fantastic films—a category SIFF labels “WTF” films. His deep and diverse filmography includes Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water (for which he won four Oscars), Nightmare Alley, and the upcoming Pinocchio. Out of del Toro’s unique and weird worlds come deeply human stories. At every turn, del Toro’s manipulation of our senses to tell the story of what might be creates a journey through the fantastic and asks, “what if this were true...”. Del Toro’s complete filmography will screen at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian August 19-25.

Save and experience a complete filmography with a filmmaker pass, or plan your own Auteur August schedule with a discounted 6 Pack. Tickets are on-sale now at siff.net.

Taika Waititi Pass
August 5th - 11th
Pass Price Member $45.00
Pass Price Regular $65.00

Wachowskis Pass
August 12th - 18th
Pass Price Member $60.00
Pass Price Regular $80.00

Guillermo del Toro Pass
August 19th - 25th
Pass Price Member $80.00
Pass Price Regular $100.00

6 Pack Member $48.00
6 Pack Regular $60.00

Auteur August Series Lineup:

Taika Waititi - August 5 - 11

Friday, August 5:
5 p.m. - Boy (with short film Two Cars, One Night)
7:30 p.m. - What We Do in The Shadows

Sunday, August 7
3 p.m. - Thor: Ragnarok
6:30 p.m. - Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Tuesday, August 9
6:30 p.m. - Jojo Rabbit

Wednesday, August 10
4 p.m. - Eagle Vs. Shark
6:30 p.m. - What We Do in The Shadows

Thursday, August 11
4 p.m. - Hunt for the Wilderpeople
6:30 p.m. - Thor: Ragnarok

The Wachowskis- August 12 - 18

Friday, August 12
5 p.m. - Bound
8 p.m. - The Matrix

Saturday, August 13: MATRIX MARATHON
11 a.m. - The Matrix
2 p.m. - The Matrix Reloaded
5 p.m. - The Matrix Revolutions
8 p.m. - The Matrix Resurrections

Sunday, August 14
3:30 p.m. - Speed Racer
6:30 p.m. - Jupiter Ascending

Tuesday, August 16
6:30 p.m. - Bound

Wednesday, August 17
6:30 p.m. - Speed Racer

Thursday, August 18
6:30 p.m. - Cloud Atlas

Guillermo Del Toro August 19 - 25

Friday, August 19
6 p.m. - Cronos
8:30 p.m. - The Devil’s Backbone

Saturday, August 20
2 p.m. - Nightmare Alley (color)
5:15 p.m. - Hellboy
8 p.m. - Hellboy II

Sunday, August 21
2 p.m. - Mimic
4:30 p.m. - Nightmare Alley (in black & white)
7:45 p.m. - Blade II

Monday, August 22
6:30 p.m. - Crimson Peak

Tuesday, August 23
6:30 p.m. - Pacific Rim

Wednesday, August 24
6:30 p.m. - Pan’s Labyrinth

Thursday, August 25
6:30 p.m. - The Shape of Water

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