Because festivals are the place to discover talented new directors.
“Children of Invention”: In his debut feature, writer-director Tze Chun exhibits a fine sense of the intimate with this tale of two children fending for themselves when their mother, a Chinese immigrant, is unwittingly snagged in a sting.
Playing: Starz FilmCenter, 4 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Because, well, see the above.
“St. Nick”: David Lowery wrote, directed and edited this exquisitely quiet film about two kids on the lam in rural Texas. It’s moodily reminiscent of “Badlands” except with an 11-year-old and his 8-year-old sis as its protagonists. Lowery gets believably nuanced work from youngsters Tucker and Savannah Sears.
Playing: Starz FilmCenter, 9:30 p.m.
Because everyone needs a little food for thought
“Truffles”: White truffles play a crucial role in this black comedy about a town whose waning fortunes are revived when the rare fungi start appearing like kudzu. This Watching Hour French- Canadian delicacy was written and directed Kim Nguyen.
Playing: Starz FilmCenter, 11:45 p.m.
