J.C. Chandor’s ‘A Most Violent Year’ to open AFI Fest

AFI Fest is set to ring in “A Most Violent Year,” with writer-director J.C. Chandor’s New York crime drama making its world premiere as the festival’s opening film.

Bowing Nov. 6 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the latest offering from the filmmaker behind “All Is Lost” stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain and is set in 1981, during one of the most crime-ridden winters in Gotham’s history.

A gritty exploration of the American dream, “A Most Violent Year” follows the lives of an immigrant businessman (Isaac) and his wife (Chastain) as they try to stake their claim in the world, while rampant violence, decay and corruption threaten to undo all they’ve worked for.

The film also stars Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola and Elyes Gabel.

Distributed by A24, “A Most Violent Year” will hit theaters in Los Angeles and New York on Dec. 31, then expand through the month of January.

AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga said in a statement, “J.C. Chandor has put together a remarkable crime drama, which is also an immersive period piece that resonates on an emotional level. Chandor is a talented director who takes risks with every film that he makes and ‘A Most Violent Year’ is no exception.”

Past AFI Fest openers include “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Hitchcock” and “J. Edgar.” The festival runs Nov. 6-13.

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