Cannes has its coveted prizes, and Sundance its lucrative deals, but the New York Film Festival, unencumbered by awards or marketing, says its mission is simple: to present the year’s best in world cinema. Its director, Kent Jones, says the 52nd annual event, which opens Friday, is for “film lovers of all stripes and levels of knowledge.” Its 17-day itinerary includes a main slate of 30 feature films. and a retrospective of the works of Academy Award-winning director Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
