So today was the press launch of the London Film Festival and lots of press, PR and various film people gathered in the Odeon West End to coo over free pastries, tea and goodie bags- (oh and also the announcement of the full festival line up).
In Sandra Hebron’s (LFF’s artistic director) opening speech she said three words resonated for her in light of this years line up “politics, history and memory” and whilst watching the first 5 or so preview clips in the showreel I was beginning to feel that politics was most definitely a very prominent theme, Frost/ Nixon, Waltz with Bashir, W., Che… but thankfully I think it was somewhere The Brothers Bloom that the theme began to thankfully lighten a little and diversify.
I think the biggest surprise in the line up was The Quantum of Solace- after rumours that this was to be the festivals closing film were quashed when Slumdog Millionaire was announced a few days ago I was under the assumption that it was not going to be included at all - but hey, looks like I was wrong.
Unlike in previous years there were only a few films that really called to me from the selection shown this morn, but I’m going to be digging round in the festival brochure this evening to hunt out more potential gems. In the meantime some of the titles I’m already looking forward too are…
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson Alex Gibney’s documentary on the eccentric, self destructive but wildly fascinating inventor of Gonzo journalism.
The Class I’m trying to cast aside my mental comparisons with Dangerous Minds before watching Laurent Cantet’s Palm d’Or winning feature based on the book Entre le murs.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist So far I’m not too convinced about the film as the trailer I caught a while ago didn’t look to ‘hot’- but then again Michael Cera’s presence alone is enough to spark my interest anyway.
Achilles and the Tortoise Takeshi Kitano= yes. Synopsis describing the narrative as applying Zeno’s paradox to the story of a budding artist= not so yes. Enchanting and amazing paint-ball/ merry-go round clip from film= most definitely yes!
In case you don’t already know the festival runs from the 15-30th of October and booking for films opens early for BFI members on the 18th of September, and then our to the non members from the 27th.
I’m keen to know what films others are looking forward too so please let us know your thoughts. If you haven’t seen the full line up yet then it is up on the LFF website now for you to peruse.
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