Key Points

Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Thomas Anderson's latest collaboration will open the prestigious Pingyao International Film Festival. The film is a thriller based on Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland about former revolutionaries reuniting after 16 years. The festival features a strong international lineup including works by Joachim Trier, Kelly Reichardt, and Fukada Koji. The event showcases both established directors and emerging talent across multiple competitive sections.

Key Points: Leonardo DiCaprio Paul Thomas Anderson Open Pingyao Film Festival

  • Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Bob Ferguson in PTA's thriller
  • Based on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland
  • Features Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn in supporting roles
  • Festival runs September 24-30, 2025 in Pingyao
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Leonardo DiCaprio's 'One Battle After Another' to open Galas section of Pingyao International Film Festival 2025

Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' to open Pingyao International Film Festival 2025 Galas section with global lineup.

"The festival will present a robust international lineup across various sections, with the Galas program leading the charge. - Variety"

Pingyao, September 18

Leonardo DiCaprio starrer and Paul Thomas Anderson's latest directorial 'One Battle After Another' will open the Galas section of the 9th Pingyao International Film Festival (PIFF), reported Variety.

The festival, scheduled to run from September 24 to 30, 2025, will present a robust international lineup across various sections, with the Galas program leading the charge.

'One Battle After Another' is loosely based on the 1990 novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon.The thriller centres on a group of former revolutionaries who reunite after 16 years to confront an enemy that has re-emerged. DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, with Regina Hall co-starring as Deandra, as per the outlet.

Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, 'One Battle After Another' features a starry supporting cast including Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor and Sean Penn.

According to the outlet, the Galas program features a strong international slate, including Fukada Koji's 'Love on Trial,' Miyake Sho's 'Two Seasons, Two Strangers,' Mendonca Filho Kleber's 'The Secret Agent,' Roustayi Saeed's 'Woman and Child,' Mariko Tetsuya's 'Dear Stranger,' Joachim Trier's 'Sentimental Value,' Dominik Moll's 'Case137,' and Kelly Reichardt's 'The Mastermind.'

In Hidden Dragons section of the festival, the first and sophomore features dominate with Yan Kun-ao's 'Jet Lag in Summer,' Meng Xing's 'Happy Girls,' Li Dongmei's 'Guo Ran,' Tan Siyou's 'Amoeba,' Qi Yanyan's documentary 'The Toddling Youths,' Zheng Xusong's documentary 'A Long Way Home,' Zhang Zhongchen's 'Nighttime Sounds,' Shen Ko-shang's 'Deep Quiet Room,' Njo Kui Ying's '#4 Road to Vendetta,' Ng Kai Chung Tommy's animated 'Another World,' and Luo Yan's 'West Border,' reported Variety.

As for the Crouching Tigers, this section brings international discoveries, among them Max Walker-Silverman's 'Rebuilding,' Kinoshita Baku's animated 'The Last Blossom,' Davies Jr. Akinola's 'My Father's Shadow,' Valery Carnoy's 'Wild Foxes,' Juan Branco's 'The Massacre of Gilles de Rais,' Sven Bresser's 'Reedland,' Fujimoto Akio's 'Lost Land,' Yoon Ga-eun's 'The World of Love,' Laura Wandel's 'Adam's Sake,' Seto Momoko's animated 'Dandelion's Odyssey,' and Hasan Hadi's 'The President's Cake,' reported Variety.

The Made-in-Shanxi showcase highlights local talent with Song Lei's 'The Awkward Life of Mulan,' Yan Song's 'Prophetic Dreams,' Gu Ying's 'A Woman in Their Eyes,' Miao Zhuangzhuang's 'Daughters,' Kong Jiahuan's 'A Falsetto Boy,' and Wei Dongchen's 'On the Road,' reported Variety.

Special Presentations include Andrea Segre's 'The Great Ambition' and companion short 'Us and the Great Ambition,' Kim Dong-ho's documentary 'Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema,' Feng Xiaogang's 'A World Without Thieves,' and Zhang Dalei's short 'Happy New Year Mr. Wood,' reported Variety.

The lineup concludes with the Cinephile section featuring Yu Shui's animated film "Nobody."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting lineup but I wish Indian films had more representation in such prestigious festivals. We have incredible stories waiting to be told on global platforms.
A
Ananya R
PTA adapting Pynchon? That's ambitious! Love how Chinese festivals are becoming major players in the global cinema circuit. The Hidden Dragons section looks particularly interesting with all those debut features.
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Sarah B
The diversity in the program is impressive - from animation to documentaries to features. Makes me want to plan a trip to Pingyao next year! Anyone been there before?
V
Vikram M
While Hollywood stars attract attention, the real gems are often in the smaller sections. The Made-in-Shanxi showcase supporting local talent is what film festivals should really be about 👍
M
Michael C
Great to see Asian cinema getting its due recognition. The mix of established masters and new voices across different countries shows how vibrant the regional film scene has become.

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