Starz Denver Film Festival: Artistic director Brit Withey's must-see pick for Monday, Nov. 8

Brit Withey.

Again this year, Starz Denver Film Festival artistic director Brit Withey is offering his must-see picks for each day of the fest -- flicks that movie lovers might otherwise miss amid the flood of silver-screen goodies.

Below, he describes his choice for Monday, November 8: The New Year.

"The New Year."

The New Year
Directed by Brett Haley
Monday, November 8, 6:30 p.m.
Denver FilmCenter/Colfax

"One of the film trends I suppose I'm not completely in love with is the sort of mopey, go-nowhere American independent film," Withey concedes. "But The New Year is something different: a really well-written, charming character drama about a young girl who returns to her hometown to take care of her father, who's ill -- and she's working at a bowling alley.

"This is a first-time film that's shot very well, and it just nails the story on all levels. The actress in it [Trieste Kelly Dunn] is amazing, and the film doesn't have any of that sort of American independent drag on it. It's an uplifting film, and the ending is so satisfying."

As a bonus, Withey points out that director Brett Haley is in town for the picture's screenings -- tonight's being the last. Overall, he views the movie as "another one of those great reasons to come to the festival."

Here's the trailer for The New Year:

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