‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ Will Open 2021 NYFF

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

Joel Coen’s eagerly-anticipated “The Tragedy of Macbeth” will open the 59th New York Film Festival, celebrating the film’s world premiere. The opening night slot for Coen’s solo directing effort follows in the footsteps of other opening night films like “The Irishman” and “The Favourite”.

“The Tragedy of Macbeth” is an adaptation of the Shakespeare classic starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. The film marks the third time Coen and McDormand have collaborated, including “Blood Simple” and “Fargo”. The two are married.

Opening night of the festival will be celebrated September 24. Festival organizers praised the film, saying, “A work of stark chiaroscuro and incantatory rage, Joel Coen’s boldly inventive visualization of The Scottish Play is an anguished film that stares, mouth agape, at a sorrowful world undone by blind greed and thoughtless ambition.”

Following its premiere, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” will be released by Apple and A24.