Awards Gala: Paper Tiger

James Gray’s Paper Tiger follows brothers Gary (Adam Driver) and Irwin (Miles Teller) as they try to build a new life in 1980s Queens. Gary, a charismatic former cop, sees an opportunity to make money and brings his more cautious younger brother into the business.

What begins as a promising venture soon draws them into the world of the Russian mafia, putting their family and their relationship under increasing strain. Yet it is Hester, Irwin’s wife, played by Scarlett Johansson, who gradually becomes the film’s emotional centre. Johansson brings extraordinary range and depth to the role, moving effortlessly from humour and forcefulness to an unexpectedly tender vulnerability. As the men around her try to prove themselves, Hester reveals a different kind of strength.

At its heart, Paper Tiger is a deeply human film about family, loyalty and the bonds between people who have grown up together. With three remarkable performances and Gray’s distinctive eye for character and place, it is as much an intimate family story as it is a gripping crime drama.

This Gala screening will include the presentation of the CIFF Features Awards.