For film fans in the UK it’s the big one, says HELEN M JEROME.
The London Film Festival has so many goodies stuffed into one fortnight that there genuinely is something for
everyone. For those who cannot bear to watch a movie unless it features a big star or director and they can
watch it with a gargantuan tub of popcorn. For those who prefer subtitled-arthouse fare from far-flung corners
of the world – or those who like their films homegrown. For those who love to take their family along. Even for
those who like to see something from the past restored to its former glory. Come one, come all. But do try to
be as flexible as possible. If you find the film you really wanted to see is fully booked, there are three
options: a) see if there are other screenings of it, b) queue at the box office in case there are returns on
the day, or c) go see something else. You never know, if you opt for c) you might discover something even better!
So charge up your oyster card, crank up your caffeine levels, pack some snacks and be prepared for anything.
Go on, take a risk…
1. Big Bookends:
The opening movie is NEVER LET ME GO (right), based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of dysfunction and attachment, with a
screenplay by Ishiguro’s old chum Alex (The Beach) Garland, and directed by Mark Romanek. But the main reason
to see it is to watch our fastest rising stars Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield, along with Keira Knightley,
taking the central roles. Having done the business with his closing film (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) two years ago,
Danny Boyle gets the same prestigious spot for his new movie, 127 HOURS, starring James Franco and some
inhospitable landscape in Utah, and based on the true story of climber Aron Ralston. Also in its favour is that
the screenwriter is Simon Beaufoy, of Full Monty fame. But be warned, it won’t be an easy watch.
2. Could Be Contenders:
There are many treats in store – especially, I’m reliably informed, in the shape of Darren Aronofsky’s
dark thriller BLACK SWAN, starring Natalie Portman (above-right), and set in the highly-charged world of the New York City
ballet. With co-stars like Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey, plus Mila Kunis as Portman’s
younger rival, it’s also a cast to please every taste. THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is the other slamdunk, surefire
hit, directed by Lisa Cholodenko, who coaxes fantastic lead performances from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore
as the not-at-all-odd-couple. Set in Barcelona and helmed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, BIUTIFUL stars Javier
Bardem, and is as gritty yet dizzying as you’d expect from these Latin talents.
3. Back Home:
Our own Mike Leigh and Ken Loach bring their latest, and both get to the heart of the matter through their usual,
very different routes. ANOTHER YEAR (right), with Leigh stalwarts Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen and the exceptional
Lesley Manville, is in familiar friends-and-family territory, whereas Loach’s ROUTE IRISH is a political
thriller. WEST IS WEST is the long overdue sequel to East Is East, from the same team, revolving around
a family trip to Pakistan. More homegrown, revitalised stars, Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter, make Tom
Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH unmissable. Richard (IT Crowd) Ayoade’s debut feature, SUBMARINE looks
like a possible comic classic.
4. George and Kristin:
Disappointingly, it seems that our long-term festival favourites George Clooney and Kristin Scott Thomas
only appear in one film each this time – both thrillers – the Cloonster in Anton Corbijn’s THE AMERICAN,
and K.S.T. in yet another small, but perfectly formed French drama, IN YOUR HANDS. We still await the
time when our two faves will appear together...
5. Gold Standard:
Allow me to mark your card further.
Music lovers will find much to admire (and tap their feet to) in UPSIDE DOWN: THE CREATION RECORDS STORY,
THE BALLAD OF MOTT THE HOOPLE (right), LEMMY, STRANGE POWERS: STEPHIN MERRITT AND THE MAGNETIC FIELDS, and
BENDA BILILI!, which span everything from record label mavericks and rock legends, to a group of disabled
Congolese musicians and their rise to fame. Even Welsh pop diva Duffy turns up in an acting role in PATAGONIA.
From France come HANDS UP, LIVING ON LOVE ALONE, LOVE LIKE POISON, LITTLE WHITE LIES and YOUNG GIRLS
IN BLACK. The rest of Europe promises to thrill, amuse and provoke with A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN,
ARMADILLO, MYSTERIES OF LISBON, SENSATION, ADRIENN PAL, 3 SEASONS IN HELL, FOR 80 DAYS, SILENT SOULS, MALAVOGLIA
and THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUCESCU.
South Korean drama POETRY, from Secret Sunshine director Lee Chandong, will be blindingly brilliant even
if it’s only half as good as its predecessor. A welcome late addition to the festival, Charles Ferguson’s
INSIDE JOB is a timely US documentary about the financial crisis, narrated by Matt Damon. And pretty much
every other part of the world is your lobster too, for two weeks only, with CHONGQING BLUES, SAWAKO DECIDES,
WHEN LOVE COMES, I AM SINDHUTAI SAPKAI and DEAR DOCTOR from the East, INFILTRATION from Israel,
THE LIGHT THIEF from Kyrgyzstan, LIFE ABOVE ALL from South Africa, THE TAQWACORES from Buffalo,
New York, OCTOBER from Peru, and REVOLUCION showcasing ten of the best Mexican directors.
Restored to their original brilliance are classics like BOUDU SAVED FROM DROWNING, MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA,
PANDORA’S BOX and THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (right). And families can get their collective enjoyment from
AFRICA UNITED, THE BOOK OF MASTERS, PUDANA and SUPER BROTHER.
Now go for it. Get booking. You know it makes sense!
Check out the official London Film Festival website and book your tickets at:
bfi.org.uk/lff
or by phone on: 020 7928 3232.
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B
37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Jan 2011: Intel Quad Core Dell XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80Ghz, 8Gb RAM, nVidia GeForce GTS 240, Windows 7
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
London Film Festival 2010...
1. Big Bookends:
3. Back Home:
5. Gold Standard:
South Korean drama POETRY, from Secret Sunshine director Lee Chandong, will be blindingly brilliant even
if it’s only half as good as its predecessor. A welcome late addition to the festival, Charles Ferguson’s
INSIDE JOB is a timely US documentary about the financial crisis, narrated by Matt Damon. And pretty much
every other part of the world is your lobster too, for two weeks only, with CHONGQING BLUES, SAWAKO DECIDES,
WHEN LOVE COMES, I AM SINDHUTAI SAPKAI and DEAR DOCTOR from the East, INFILTRATION from Israel,
THE LIGHT THIEF from Kyrgyzstan, LIFE ABOVE ALL from South Africa, THE TAQWACORES from Buffalo,
New York, OCTOBER from Peru, and REVOLUCION showcasing ten of the best Mexican directors.