LISTEN UP PHILIP

In New York, Philip (Jason Schwartzman) waits for the publication of his second novel, which is meant to be a success, and is nonetheless full of rage: at the city, at the noise, at his publisher, at his girlfriend Ashley (Elisabeth Moss), with whom things are no longer going well, and at the obligation to promote his book. When his idol, the ageing writer Ike Zimmerman (Jonathan Pryce), offers him his remote summer house, Philip seizes the chance to devote himself entirely to his favourite subject – himself. Ashley stays behind in the flat and begins to live without him. “Listen Up Philip” (USA 2014) by Alex Ross Perry is the portrait of a misanthrope.

A comedy without redemption: Perry grants his protagonist no development, and gives his attention instead to the people he leaves behind. It premiered in January 2014 at the Sundance Film Festival in the Next section; at the Locarno festival the film received the Special Jury Prize. It was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2015.

Shown at the 2015 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2015 · Film Archive