London Film Festival
For a fortnight from 15 to 30 October, the 52nd Times British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival brings a feast of film to the capital.
You can look forward to some 189 features and 108 shorts, including a record number of world and European premieres, screening alongside talks, masterclasses, Time Out free events and a chance to discuss the British Fim Boom!
This year’s festival has a whole section devoted to British New Cinema. Highlights include ‘Telstar’, which tells the tragic tale of pioneering ’50s record producer Joe Meek, and ‘1 2 3 4′, a rock’n'roll story without the sex and drugs attached.
Also look out for ‘Bronson’, a portrait of Britain’s most notorious ‘lifer’, and ‘I Know You Know’ the second feature from ‘Human Traffic’ director Justin Kerrigan.
While debuts to watch out for include Gerald McMorrow’s ‘Franklyn’ which stars Hollywood’s Ryan Philippe and ‘Better Things’ from writer/director Duane Hopkins.
Gala events
The festival includes many gala screenings in Leicester Square for which you’re invited to join the stars and be one of the first to see some very special films.
The festival kicks off with ‘Frost/Nixon’, Peter Morgan’s account of the electrifying encounter between Richard Nixon and TV personality David Frost. Michael Sheen (Frost) and Frank Langella (Nixon) reprise their stage roles for this world premiere screening.
While Danny Boyle’s latest ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ closes the festival. This European premiere is set in India and is centred around an 18 year old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal Malik, and Latika, the girl he loved and lost.
Between the opening and closing galas there are plenty of other gems such as ‘Waltz with Bashir’, Ari Folman’s groundbreaking animated documentary on the futility of war, and ‘The Class’, a Palme d’Or winning account of one term in a Parisian high school. Other gala films to look out for in Leicester Square include:
* ‘Che’ (Pts 1 and 2), Steven Soderbergh’s studies of Che Guevara’s campaigns in Cuba and Bolivia
* ‘The Brothers Bloom’, the eagerly awaited second feature from ‘Brick’ writer-director Rian Johnson
* ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, Woody Allen’s tale of Americans enjoying a Spanish summer romance
* Michael Winterbottom’s ‘Genova’, the story of a British man and his two daughters’ relocation to Italy
* Oliver Stones ‘W.’ a look at the life and times of George W Bush, starring Josh Brolin in the title role
* ‘Hunger’, a look at the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike from Turner-Prize winning artist Steve McQueen
* ‘The Other Man’, part love-story, part thriller, from award-winning theatre and film director Richard Eyre.
Other highlights
Many other highlights of the festival’s programme will be screened right in the heart of the West End too. Features in the Film on the Square strand include ‘The Baader Meinhof Complex’, a riveting look at Germany’s Red Army faction, and ‘Rachel Getting Married’, the latest film from Jonathan Demme, with Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel and Anne Hathaway as her older sister.
The festival also provides great opportunities to enjoy film shorts, screen talks, masterclasses and classics unearthed from the BFI archive.
More information
Manchester Hotels - Search for Hotels around the World - Check Availability and Rates Online
Plymouth Hotels - Compare hotels and rates - Cheap, luxury, boutique and spa hotels. Discount hotel accommodation in Birmingham and around the world.