The Curse

In this brilliantly discomfiting collaboration between Nathan Fielder (hot on the heels of his revelatory comic creation The Rehearsal) and Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, NYFF57), Fielder and Emma Stone play Asher and Whitney Siegel, married entrepreneurs (don’t call them gentrifiers!) whose latest plan is to flip houses and convert them into eco-friendly homes for the struggling residents of Española, New Mexico—all for an HGTV-style reality show being overseen by an ingratiating producer (Safdie) with demons of his own. From this premise, which nimbly touches upon inescapable American issues of race, class, and capital, Fielder and Safdie branch out into an increasingly tangled network of ethical and moral gray zones, expertly balancing the tender and the merciless. The New York Film Festival is pleased to premiere the first three episodes of this genre-defying, riotously funny series, directed by Fielder and David and Nathan Zellner; episodes 4–10 will be screened at Film at Lincoln Center during the show’s run. An A24/Showtime release.

Tickets are $35 (Members & Students) and $40 (General Public). Experience all of The Curse with a special pass for $90 (Members & Students) and $100 (General Public), featuring access to episodes 1-3 at NYFF61 and episodes 4-10 at Film at Lincoln Center during the show’s run. The Curse Pass holders will receive an e-mail with full details and schedule when announced.

Recommended Film Comment reading:

• The Film Comment Podcast: Irma Vep and The Rehearsal
• The Film Comment Podcast: Josh and Benny Safdie on Uncut Gems
• Interview: Josh & Benny Safdie on Heaven Knows What (2015)

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