The Times 52th London Film Festival runs from October 15-30 with films from 43 countries and includes no fewer than 15 world premieres and 20 European premieres, kicking off with Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon and closing 15 days later with Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, two films, coincidentally, concerned with politics and the power of television. In between is a fascinatingly diverse programme featuring the best of the year’s fests (Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Venice et al), a people’s premiere of Quantum Of Solace (love the new trailer), plus a whole load more, including masterclasses/talks with Danny Boyle, Charlie Kaufman, Robert Carlyle, Peter Morgan and Michael Sheen, short films, documentaries, animation, and various educational events, and, judging by the half hour clip reel they showed this morning, there really is something for everyone. The list of films I’m looking forward to seeing is growing every time I flick through the catalogue but here are ten I don’t want to miss:
Frost/Nixon (dir. Ron Howard) — didn’t see the play but the trailer looks great
Franklyn (dir. Gerard McMorrow) — was on set and the script’s terrific
W. (dir. Oliver Stone) — the first Stone movie in an age I’ve actually been excited to see
Che (dir. Steven Soderbergh) — Del Toro renuites with his Traffic director
Once Upon A Time In The West (dir. Sergio Leone) — a 40th anniversary restoration
The Brothers Bloom (dir. Rian Johnson) — his follow up to Brick. Enough said
Genova (dir. Michael Winterbottom) — Britain’s most prolific and versatile filmmaker
Synecdoche, New York (dir. Charlie Kaufman) — should be different
Vicky Christina Barcelona (dir. Woody Allen) — good Wood, apparently
Three Monkeys (dir. Nuri Bilge Ceylan) — because I loved Uzak
Tickets go on sale September 27. Call 020 7928 3232 or book via www.bfi.org.uk/lff
4 comments:
Wow, this sounds so exiting.... talks with Danny Boyle and Charlie Kaufman! Quantum of Solace! Frost/Nixon! Wow!
Ok I know this is not a very constructive comment, but man i'm so eager to be there!
Your eagerness is duly noted.
If i could be in London i'd wouldn't miss GONZO: The Life & Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson. The screening @ Cannes was for 'buyers' only & a long line of us Thompson fans were turned away!
Check out TYSON if you get a chance.
Synecdoche ain't worth bothering with. BRICK was excellent wonder how The Brothers Bloom will turn out?
Do film journos get free entry to the LFF? Regular punters pay over 10 quid per screening right?
Tyson and Gonzo were actually on my next 10 to see list. And yes we get a press pass which gives you access to special screenings which begin a few weeks before the festival and continue throughout.
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