The London Film Festival, and a couple to look out for
Already in full swing, this years London Film Festival is certainly living up to it's heritage and playing host to so many interesting films, the only frustrating thing is finding time to fit them all in.
Many films that would otherwise not see the light of day on a big screen in this country are being shown. Films from South Korea, The states, Scandinavia, all over Europe… you pull a country out of a hat, if it has a decent film coming out of it, the chances are that the LFF has picked it up.
A sampling of the films I can recommend are listed below, but honestly the best way is to just browse their website and pick out films that you think you'd find interesting as nearly all the films are worth watching, even if it's only once. If you live in London (or fancy a commute) and have time to check out some screenings I can highly recommend it.
Check out the festival website here
Princess (Denmark)
August, a lapsed priest and estranged brother to a pornstar named 'Princess' returns home on learning of his sisters death to care for her young daughter Mia. Blending an interesting mix of quasi-anime style animation, 3D composites and live-action footage the film uses it's style to enhance the compelling plotline rather than mask it. Set in and around the dark world of pornography, the film becomes a sort of Danish version of Kill Bill. August investigates 'Princess's' death, and trying his best to keep Mia's eyes from seedy world her mother inhabited.
Certainly one of the most interesting films at the festival for its execution alone the plot and voice acting is also brilliant and never brings you out of the world the director has worked so hard to create.
If I had to recommend one film from the festival so far this would be it. If you have the time it's definitely worth checking out.Official Site LFF Screenings
The Bridge (USA)
A fascinating documentary focusing on what was (at the time of filming) the worlds number 1 suicide spot, the film investigates (and in many cases shows) the 28 people in 2004 that decided to end their lives there. The Bridge is a brilliant film that deals in an interesting and serious way with a subject that could have been overly sombre.
Dark Blue Almost Black (Spain)
A confident comedy drama from Spain focusing on a young man with aspirations of leaving his life as a janitor, and his disabled father behind for a better life. A light film that has nicely rounded characters and a plot that never drags it feet. It's worth watching if you want something light from the festival line-up
After the Wedding (Denmark)
Mads Mikkelsen (The new Bond villain, a part he was born to play) a brilliant actor takes the lead in this drama from Denmark. Labelling it as an 'Emotional family drama' is underselling it, the film very nearly had me in tears just from the sheer weight of the performances in the film. Although it suffers from some issues with pacing it's still definitely worth seeking out
The Last King of Scotland (British)
Featuring a powerful and frightening central performance from Forest Whitaker 'The Last King of Scotland' tells the true story of a young idealistic Scottish doctor that travels to Uganda to become an aid worker. Rising star James McAvoy plays the doctor, and holds his own in a film dominated by a big central performance. A country racked by genocide, corruption and poverty 'The Last King of Scotland' is an interesting look at an all too real period in the African nations past.
Official Site LFF Screenings
Buenos Aires 1977 (Argentina)
Set in Argentina, then under military fascist rule a young minor-league football player is kidnapped on suspicion of being a liberal sympathiser. Held hostage in a house with several other 'Liberals' the film drags it's feet in the first half but picks up the pace in the second half, as it becomes a quasi-political prison-break movie.
The Last King of Scotland - Country of origin England? Not Britain?
Are you going to go and see the Bridge? I’d be very interested to hear how you find it. I’ve written about it since I first heard of the filming and I’m keen to see which way they follow the story and how they treat the people involved.
Apologies…. you’re right of course Richard… we’re one nation under a groove
…. i’ll fix my mistake.
I’ve seen all the films i’ve listed, and full reviews of ‘The Bridge’ and ‘Princess’ will be up very soon.
culturalelite - didn’t mean that to come across so negatively, it was meant sarcastically and with a poke of fun. Sometimes text just doesn’t work.
Okay…I read your feed but give me a nudge when The Bridge appears.
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