Mark Olsen writes about all kinds of movies for the Los Angeles Times as both a feature writer and reviewer. He creates a regular series on independent, documentary and foreign language films under the banner of Indie Focus, also curating and hosting the Indie Focus Screening Series. His work has also appeared in Film Comment, the New York Times, LA Weekly, Sight & Sound and other publications. He is from Kansas.
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Amid her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, Lively appeared with co-star Kendrick, director Paul Feig and others at the SXSW world premiere of the sequel to their 2018 hit.
After playing a content moderator in Uta Briesewitz’s SXSW premiere ‘American Sweatshop,’ the ‘Riverdale’ star is ready to declare the internet ‘not good.’
Also this week: ‘Pump Up the Volume’ in 35mm, screenings of Michelangelo Antonioni essentials ‘Blow-Up’ and ‘Red Desert’ and a special Vista engagement of ‘1900.’
With ‘The Astronaut,’ ‘The Dutchman’ and ‘Friendship’ all playing at the festival, actor Kate Mara is making a robust showing of her versatility and depth.
The lineup of the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival in Austin is full of returning talent. The Times spoke to organizers and filmmakers about why they keep coming back.