(Re-posted from LimitéMagazine.com)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZEZ35Fhvuc]

Screenings:

Friday, September 28, 6pm (Alice Tully Hall)

Friday, September 28, 6:15pm (Walter Reade Theater)

Friday, September 28, 6:30pm (Howard Gilman Theater)

Friday, September 28, 6:45pm (Francesca Beale Theater)

Friday, September 28, 9pm (Alice Tully Hall)

Friday, September 28, 9:15pm (Walter Reade Theater)

Friday, September 28, 9:30pm (Howard Gilman Theater)

Friday, September 28, 9:45pm (Francesca Beale Theater)

Venue: Lincoln Center, NYC

Series: NYFF50: Gala Tributes

*WORLD PREMIERE*

Based on the best-selling book of the same title, Life of Pi tells the story of young Pi, a spirited Indian teenager whose faith and endurance are put to the ultimate test when he must fight for survival in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with only a lifeboat and a ferocious Bengal tiger to keep him company. Pi’s father must sell his family-owned zoo and plans to relocate his family to Canada by way of a Japanese ship. There, he will sell the many exotic animals he’s taken into his custody. After the ship sinks during a terrible storm, Pi is the lone (human) survivor and must find a way to survive on the mighty Pacific for more than 200 days.

There’s a saying in Hollywood: the most difficult elements for a director to work with are animals, children, and water. Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee didn’t let that get in his way, as he set out to create an epic adventure that many people didn’t think could be adapted to the big screen. The film’s scope is as big in its production as it is in story (dealing heavily with faith and survival) and visuals (stunning 3D photography). The film is a reminder that all living things are mere specks in a vast universe. Pi’s story, conceived of by the book’s author Yann Martel and adapted to the screen by David Magee (Finding Neverland, 2004), is a harrowing tale and not one to be easily forgotten. Young actor Suraj Sharma commands the screen in his debut performance, beautifully revealing notes of sadness, fear, and even comedy. Life of Pi opens the 50^th New York Film Festival tonight with its world premiere.

Limité Rating: 5/5

Director: Ang Lee

Genres: Narrative, Drama

Country: USA

Language: English

Runtime: 126 min.

Note: Tom Rothman, former head of 20^th Century Fox, will discussLife of Pi, courtesy of NYFF Live on Sunday, September 30 at 7pm in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater, located in Lincoln Center at 144 W. 65th St., NYC. The event is free and open to the public.

The 50^th New York Film Festival runs from September 28 – October 14, 2012.