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A few of the films we're most excited for in 2022

List fatigue is an issue at this time of year so we’re keeping it simple. 4 of the FAN Young Consultants have done the heavy lifting and trawled the internet for the Independent and cross-over titles they most want to see on release in 2022. Great to see some titles mentioned more than once too, (there was no conferring)!

Thea Berry

True Things
(UK 2021 Dir. Harry Wootliff 102mins)
I suppose this isn't really anticipated for me as I've already seen it but I can't wait for this to be out in the world (and to watch it again) - I loved Only You and I don't think this could be more different. The two leading performances are so utterly captivating that I couldn't look away. 

Crimes of the Future
(Can/Gre/Fr 2022 Dir. David Cronenberg 65 mins) 
I'm over remakes/reboots BUT I am very intrigued by Cronenberg remaking his own film from 1970. I hope this return to Sci-fi means the return of creepy squelchy Cronenberg films.

Benedetta
(Fr/Belg/Nl 2021 Dir. Paul Verhoeven 131 mins) 
This one has been on my radar for a while and I really can't wait for Verhoeven's whack at nunsploitation which I hope is as camp and transgressive as it's making itself out to be. 

Caitlin Lydon

The Worst Person In The World
(Nor/Fr/Swe/Den 2021 Dir. Joachim Trier 127 mins)What a title! I'm really excited about this film, I'm a sucker for anything that has a woman navigating the choppy waters of her life so I already know I'm going to enjoy this - it's probably the film I'm most looking forward to this year.

The Feast
(UK 2021 Dir. Lee Haven Jones 93 mins)
This film looks jarring and grotesque and fantastic. I'm a huge horror fan, and I've never seen a horror filmed in the Welsh language so I'm especially intrigued to watch this.

The Souvenir: part II
(UK 2021 Dir. Joanna Hogg 107 mins)
I loved The Souvenir, and usually, I'm nervous about 'sequels', but I feel like this will not only do the original film justice but add another layer to the complex subjects it was tackling - really looking forward to this one!

James Calver

Nope
(US 2022 Dir. Jordan Peele)
I’m sure this is going to be on lists everywhere, but looking at the release schedule for the year so far this is definitely the standout title to me. Horror films had a bit of a tough time at the box office last year, so I’m hoping this will be the film to re-light that fire for audiences. Very little is known about the film so far, apart from the cast comprising of Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun.

Occhiali Neri (Dark Glasses)
(It/Fr 2022 Dir. Dario Argento)
The quality of Argento’s films has definitely wavered throughout his career, but that doesn’t stop me getting excited whenever a new one is announced. Whilst watching the programme announcement for Berlinale this year it was hard not to get excited about the line-up, but Occhiali Neri was the standout in the Special Gala films for me. The film revolves around the story of a blind woman who finds a guide in a young man, before working together to track down a killer though Italy. Sounds just bonkers enough for me, it might work!

Playground
(Fr 2021 Dir. Laura Wandel 72 mins)
Playground is the film I was most disappointed about missing at last year’s London Film Festival. The feature-length debut from Belgian director Laura Wandel, the films follows two young children as they navigate the troubled world of heading back to school after the summer holidays. Everyone I know who’s seen it says it features some of the best child actor performances they’ve seen.

Louise Giadom

Marry Me
(US 2022 Dir. Kat Coiro 112mins)
Not an independent film but on brand for all my romcom picks (not on purpose), after seeing marketing for a lot of tough to watch films, this really stood out to me because it just looked fun and engaging; a cosy evening kind of film. I love that it's a romcom with a slight twist to it, at least different to ones we've seen in the last few years so I'm excited for it.

The Worst Person in the World
(Nor/Fr/Swe/Den 2021 Dir. Joachim Trier 127 mins)
This looks interesting, especially the title! It looks like a romcom but is probably more anti-romcom which I quite like. I'm very interested to see how the story comes to reflect the title!

True Things
(UK 2021 Dir. Harry Wootliff 102mins)
I kept seeing things about this film around and was intrigued. Watching the trailer, I love the main actress in it so it's definitely on my list. Who doesn't love a 'I can fix the bad boy' love story?!