Beyond Fest becomes L.A.'s best film festival

Now in its 13th year, the far-reaching salute to cinema keeps its audience top of mind.

- MARK OLSEN

Neon LEE Byung-hun stars in Park Chan-wook's festival-opening "No Other Choice."

What began as a bluff has grown into the best film festival in Los Angeles, one powered by eclectic, unpredictable programming and faithfully enthusiastic audiences.

The 13th edition of Beyond Fest, produced in partnership with the American Cinematheque, begins Tuesday night and runs through Oct. 8, showing more than 90 features, with screenings at the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre and Los Feliz 3. Opening with the U.S. premiere of Park Chan-wook’s satirical thriller “No Other Choice” and closing with the sci-fi paranoia of Yorgos Lanthimos’ new “Bugonia,” the program will also feature an expansive retrospective of 12 features by Guillermo del Toro, including the black-and-white version of his “Nightmare Alley,” with the filmmaker present for select screenings.

Part of what makes Beyond Fest so exciting is its broad-ranging programming. Though rooted in the concept of genre — which typically means a selection of gritty thrillers, horror and action — Beyond Fest pushes well past such basic concepts.

This year’s program includes legitimate prestige selections, such as Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident," the Palme d'Or winner at this year's Cannes Film Festival, as well as Oliver Laxe's "Sirat," winner of Cannes' jury prize. Both will I have their West Coast premieres. Other high-profile titles from international festivals include Luca Guadagnino's campus drama "After the Hunt," Kleber Mendonça Filho's political thriller "The Secret Agent," Bi Gan's trippy drama "Resurrection" and Radu Jude's updated "Dracula." A late addition to the festival lineup is a 70mm screening of Mona Fastvold's "The Testament of Ann Lee," which recently played at both Venice and Toronto.