A triple dose of Josh O'Connor at the 16th American Film Festival

The program will showcase three of his latest films: Mastermind by Kelly Reichardt, Rebuilding by Max Walker-Silverman, and The History of Sound by Oliver Hermanus. All three will premiere in Poland at AFF, and the last of the set—The History of Sound—will go straight from Wrocław to Poznań, where it will screen at Muza and Apollo cinemas during our partner event, the British Film Festival.

Next Door Neighbor: Josh O’Connor

This year's AFF visual identity is set to the rhythm of North American suburbia, so we’re welcoming new neighbors from the program to our dream US neighborhood. Last week, we visited Richard Linklater’s house (three of his films will be shown in Wrocław). Today, Josh O’Connor moves in. Linklater may enjoy European travel, but O’Connor is Europe itself settling into the United States. By the book, he’s as British as they come—the Golden Globe he won for portraying Prince Charles in The Crown proves it best. In practice, he embodies a broader, melancholic European spirit, most memorably in the Italian film La chimera. But don’t be fooled by his English reserve: when Josh crossed the Atlantic, he did it with fireworks, just like the charming troublemaker Patrick in Challengers.

The Mastermind and Rebuilding: Demythologizing America

Guiding O’Connor on his further journey through the US is Kelly Reichardt, an outstanding director renowned for deconstructing American myths. In First Cow, she tackled the pioneer dream; in Mastermind, she turns to the turbulent 1970s, shadowed by the Vietnam War and Nixon’s politics. Here we follow J.B. Mooney (a sensational O’Connor), an aspiring art thief whose escapades feel more Olsen Gang than Ocean’s Eleven.

Meanwhile, Max Walker-Silverman’s Rebuilding tackles the cowboy myth. Its hero, Danny (the consistently sensational O’Connor), has little in common with the tough and rugged gunslingers of classic Westerns. After losing his home in a fire, he ends up in a camp for disaster survivors, where he unexpectedly meets his ex-wife and estranged daughter. Will this coincidence turn out to be a stroke of luck, and will the protagonist seize the opportunity to rebuild his relationships with his loved ones?

The History of Sound: love, that is music

And for dessert, a double treat. In Oliver Hermanus’ Cannes competition film The History of Sound, O’Connor (you guessed right, he's extraordinary) shares the screen with Paul Mescal. It’s 1917, World War I rages, and in the chaos Lionel (O’Connor) meets David (Mescal). Their bond begins with a shared love of folk songs, carrying the memory of home, and grows into a mutual fascination that goes far beyond music.

We invite you to the 16th American Film Festival, November 6–11, traditionally at the New Horizons Cinema in Wrocław. Then, head to Poznań for the British Film Festival, November 12–16, featuring The History of Sound and other top U.K. productions. The BFF program will be announced on October 28, with tickets and passes available from October 30 at Poznań cinemas and online.

Nothing changes on our end: the full AFF program will be revealed on October 21. Passes, as well as media and industry accreditations, are available until October 17.