CENTERPIECE: Waves of closeness, distance, pain, and joy mark the swells of our most intimate relationships. This is the subject of director Trey Edward Shults’ (Krisha, It Comes at Night) impressive third feature, centering on the complicated family dynamics of three couples whose lives and loves hang in the balance. Parents Catherine (Renée Elise Goldsberry, Altered Carbon) and Ronald Williams (Sterling K. Brown of This Is Us in an incredibly powerful turn) have worked hard to build a comfortable life in Miami’s well-to-do suburbs for their high-achieving teens, Emily and Ty. When Ty’s girlfriend makes a decision that will permanently impact their futures, Ty reacts, with tragic consequences. The story shifts to Emily and her growing intimacy with classmate Luke (a wonderfully understated Lucas Hedges). Saddled with the weight of unhealed family wounds, the two offer each other comforts neither can find at home. Sensuously filmed under the rain and sun-soaked red and blue Floridian skies and musically scored by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Waves is an unflinching and delicately-crafted portrait of family and forgiveness.
EXPECTED GUEST: Director Trey Edward Shults, Actors Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell