Watch Rifkin's Festival

Rifkin's Festival is a 2020 film directed by Woody Allen. The movie revolves around a married couple from the United States, Mort Rifkin, and Sue Rifkin, who travels to San Sebastian, Spain, for the annual International Film Festival. Mort is a retired film critic, and Sue is an avid cinema enthusiast. At the festival, Mort meets a young, beautiful Spanish woman named Jo Rojas, who is fascinated by his profession and knowledge of films. This encounter leads Mort to question his future with Sue and his passion for the cinema.

Mort and Sue arrive in San Sebastian, and Mort immediately runs into Jo Rojas, a film student who helps him navigate the festival. Mort is immediately taken with Jo's beauty and youthful energy, and they bond over their shared love of cinema. Meanwhile, Sue is excited to attend the festival and see her favorite director, Philippe, who has made an experimental film about his own life.

As the festival progresses, Mort and Jo attend several screenings together, and Mort finds himself falling for her. He begins to question his feelings for Sue and wonders if it's too late to pursue a new romantic relationship. In the meantime, Sue is oblivious to Mort's affections and has her own problems to deal with when she realizes Philippe's film is not what she expected.

Rifkin's Festival is not just about Mort's romantic journey; it is a love letter to cinema. The film features many scenes of the characters discussing classic films and their importance. It also contrasts the differences between European and American cinema, with a particular emphasis on French movies. Philippe's experimental film, which Sue admires, shows how self-reflexivity and meta-cinema can be artistic and compelling.

Allen's direction is superb, with a keen eye for the film's beautiful setting. San Sebastian is a stunning location, with its beaches, art galleries, and old-world charm. Allen captures the city's beauty with charming and elegant panoramas. The film's aesthetics are also impressive, from the vivid color scheme to the striking visuals.

The acting is also top-notch, with standout performances from Wallace Shawn, who embodies Mort's aging cynicism, and Gina Gershon, who is dazzling as Jo Rojas's mother. Chapa is charismatic as the passionate Juan, a Spanish filmmaker who provides Mort with much-needed advice.

The film's pace and structure are also noteworthy. It keeps the viewer engaged with a mix of humor, romance, and drama. The film combines slapstick and absurd humor with a touch of irony and satire, particularly in the scenes featuring Mort's former boss, Josh, who represents the American film industry's profit-driven nature.

Rifkin's Festival is a heartwarming film that showcases Woody Allen's unyielding love for cinema. It is a tribute to the magic of movies and the power of love. The film is a delightful escape from reality that reminds us why we fell in love with the movies. It is an excellent addition to Allen's filmography and a touching tribute to the art form he devoted his life to.

Rifkin's Festival is a 2020 comedy. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 44.