While London goes back into lock down, we can help support their arts by attending this years British Film Festival. It’s the least we can do. Featuring 22 films the program has a strong focus on females both on and off screen. Here are my tips.
Running from 10 – 29 November, the line up includes powerful true stories and literary adaptations to biographies, comedies and documentaries.
1 Opening night BLITHE SPIRIT
If you’ve never been to a movie festival opening night now’s your chance, as receptions will be held at Palace Cinemas Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema. This is a first. What’s more the movie is the riotous reimagining of Noël Coward’s classic comedy BLITHE SPIRIT starring Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, Dame Judi Dench and Leslie Mann. The trailer looks hilarious, with Dame Dench as an eccentric mystic who tries to help an author with writers block, but happens to summons his deceased first wife.
2. SUMMERLAND
I was lucky enough to see this movie on the preview night. What an absolute gem, a heart-warming, beautiful movie. Summerland follows the story of a fiercely independent folklore investigator, Alice (Gemma Arterton) who secludes herself in her clifftop study, debunking myths using science to disprove the existence of magic. Consumed by her work, but also profoundly lonely, she is haunted by a love affair from her past. When spirited young boy Frank (Lucas Bond), an evacuee from the London Blitz, is dumped into her irritable care, his innocence and curiosity awaken Alice’s deeply buried emotions. Bravely embracing life’s miraculous unpredictability, Alice learns that wounds may be healed, second chances do occur, and that, just perhaps – magic really does exist. I highly recommend this one.
3. A GIFT FROM BOB
If you saw the first film, A STREET CAT NAMED BOB, you will want to see the follow up. Big Issue seller James Bowen reminisces about the last Christmas he and his furry, ginger mate spent on the cold streets of London.
4. MISBEHAVIOUR
You may have seen the trailer for this one, it’s certainly been shown a lot. I’ve got to say it looks intriguing, especially if you’ve seen BRAZEN HUSSIES. Keira Knightley and Jessie Buckley star in the charming and farcical comedy about true story feminist protesters who disrupted the 1970 Miss World beauty competition in London.
5. SIX MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT
Set in the summer of 1939, Miss Rocholl (Dame Judy Dench) runs a deportment school for the daughters of the Nazi elite. When a body is discovered this leads to a series of deadly events in true story war drama. Also starring Eddie Izzard how can you not want to see this one?
6. THE RACER
As an avid watcher of the Tour de France it’ll be fascinating to take a look behind the scenes. THE RACER follows three days during the notorious 1998 race, when seasoned Belgian support rider Dominique Chabol is cut from the team. But a chance meeting with an Irish doctor and the disqualification of another rider sees him get a shot at his dream of wearing the yellow jersey.
7. THE NEST
Set in the 1980’s when greed was good. ambitious entrepreneur Rory (Jude Law) convinces his American wife and children to move from America back to his home land England. But when life does not match his ambitions things start to unravel. A psychological thriller of matrimonial mind games.
8. A CALL TO SPY
Gripping historical drama follows a new British spy agency at the dawn of WWII, which is ordered by Churchill to recruit and train women as spies. Inspired by true stories I’m looking forward to this one.
9. A BUMP ALONG THE WAY
The charming Irish crowd-pleaser, with an all-female creative team the film follows a boozy 44-year-old single mother who falls pregnant from a one-night-stand, much to the shame of her buttoned-up teen daughter.
10. THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME
A poignant and darkly funny coming-of-age story of dysfunctional family life in 1980s rural England, is based on the acclaimed novel by Jo Brand and stars Brand alongside Mark Addy, Sheridan Smith and Sally Phillips.
11. ROCKFIELD: THE STUDIO ON THE FARM
Celebrating the legendary Rockfield Studio where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody and Oasis created Wonderwall. Fifty years ago deep in the Welsh countryside two farming brothers, Kingsley and Charles Ward decided to turn their farmhouse attic into a music studio. Make up of archive, animation and personal interviews it features the likes of Black Sabbath, Queen, Iggy Pop, Simple Minds, Coldplay, The Stone Roses, Led Zeppelin.
ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE and at Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leederville and Windsor Cinema For more information visit www.britishfilmfestival.com.au
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Summerland
