Posted in: Movies, Recent Updates | Tagged: argo, film, lff, seven psychopaths

London Film Festival Preview 16th-21st Of October

Here are the films in week two of the London Film Festival that we liked the best of all. Tickets for these films are still available now, and there are always a few made available on the door, should you queue early enough.

The following summaries were written by Patrick Dane.

My Brother the Devil

Before you turn your noses up at another urban London street drama, I must fully endorse My Brother the Devil. This not another Anuvahood.

Writer-director Sally El Hosaini tells the story of two brothers; Rashid who is a hotshot within his gang, and Mo who is trying to muscle his way in. After the loss of a friend, Rashid decides to get out of crime and rediscovers himself… as Mo begins to be consumed by the street life.

The film is held together by some wonderful performances, in particular that of James Floyd as Rashid. The story may feel familiar but there are some big, emotional twists and turns on the way.

Friday – 18:15 – Hackney
Sunday – 21:00 – Ritzy

No

Pablo Larrain's Nois one of the best films I have seen at the festival. It was shot entirely on a U-matic video camera to look like TV footage from the 1980s, making the newly shot footage blend perfectly with archive material. The film is expertly crafted and daring movie throughout, at least in terms of the technique.

Though the story is also fascinating in its own right. The film recounts real events that took place in 1988 Chile under the control of dictator Augusto Pinochet. A vote has been called as to whether he should keep power or not and there are two campaigns set up – the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigs. Each campaign team is given 15 mintues of television air time per night to convince the public of their cause. The story follows the young and corporate-minded René as he runs the 'No' campaign and shows how he takes a daring approach to try and overthrow Pinochet's violent regime.

Tuesday – 12:30 – Odeon West End

The Wall

I have a fear that I may well be the only person who ends up singing the praises of The Wall. Not that I would blame anyone for not enjoying themselves – it really is fairly monotonous. But what Julian Roman Polsler was crafted is an philosophical sci-fi film full of ideas, beauty and despair.

Martina Gedeck's character Frau takes a vacation in the alps and, somehow, she finds herself tapped alone after becoming surrounded by a mysterious,i nvisible wall. Learning  that the wall is unbreachable and that life has frozen outside of it, she goes on to live inside her prison, living off the land, hunting the animals.

The film is presented reflectively, with Drau narrating flashbacks of her life. She doesn't have anyone to interact with, so it seems structurally necessary, but it doesn't necessarily feel filmic to have a character narrating her thoughts.

However, the film is gorgeous. The location and camera work , by six different cinematographers, is often stunning and the landscape is brutal yet beautiful.

The Wall is built on an intriguing concept and is full of interesting ideas about our relationship to the world around us, it's just a shame that the pace is a little slow and that the voice over can feel laboured.

Tuesday – 18:15 – Vue West End
Wednesday – 18:30 – The Screen On The Green

Blood

While Nick Murphy's Blood is hardly the most original of police dramas, that doesn't mean it is a decently constructed and well-acted thriller.

The film opens with the murder of a young girl and launches into the murder investigation, headed by brothers Joe and Chrissie. They soon find a suspect in the case and heir further investigation seems to prove them right… however, the real story of slowly comes to light as things the two brothers felt were certainties slowly come into question after they are irreversible.

This is the kind of grey, English film where miserable old cops grumble about justice and right and wrong, and whichseems to attract good casts – in this case Paul Bettany, Brian Cox, Mark Strong and Stephen Graham.

The visual style feels almost cliched for this kind of drama and this is not a really remarkable film by any stretch of the imagination, but Blood does work as an ensemble drama, and in trying to explore moral ideas of justice and what happens when they police get something wrong.

Wednesday – 18:30 – Rich Mix

Ernest and Celestine

Ernest and Celestine is likely to be one of the best childrens films you see all year. Benjamin Renner, Vincent Patar and Stephanie Aubier's animation is always inventive and gorgeous.

Ernest lives as an outcast of the bear community while Celestine finds her ambitions do not match what is expected of her in the mouse society. The species do not get along well, but the above ground bears only occasionally cross paths with the micem who live underground. When Celestine gets trapped above ground she meets Ernest and the two eventually become friends – only for the police to start hassling them, and they find themselves having to hide out in Ernest's house.

The animation is carried out in water colours, with the brush strokes obvious in the images. It looks tactile, and I found the look to be fully engrossing. And there's a bottomless wit and invention on display. This little film easily holds up against some of the funniest at the festival.

The true tragedy of Ernest and Celestine is how few children will sit through a subtitled film. It's a shame because there is so much to be enjoyed here. You should take yourself though.

Sunday – 15 30 – Odeon West End

Lawrence of Arabia

This 4K Restoration of David Lean's classic Lawrence of Arabia is nothing short of stunning. Easily the most awe-inspiring screening of the festival so far. If you haven't seen Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen you haven't really seen it.

Saturday – 12 30 – BFI

And, as with last week, here is a list of films that are interesting, but which I have yet to see.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Thursday – 19 30 – Empire
Sunday -15 45 – Rich Mix

A Liar's Autobiography

Tuesday – 21 00 – Empire
Friday – 15 00 – Vue West End

After Lucia

Saturday – 15 30 – Odeon West End
Sunday – 18 00 – Odeon West End

Seven Psychopaths

[Brendon says: I've seen it. It's got hardly any ideas of its own but the cast are fun]

Friday – 18 00 – Odeon West End
Saturday – 12 30 – Odeon West End
Sunday – 21 00 – Rich Mix

Songs for Marion

Friday – 20 30 – West End
Saturday – 15 00- West End
Sunday – 16 15 – Ritzy

Surprise Film

This showing is sold out but we will try our best to get you a report on what the film is and if possible, a review. Brendon is 99% sure it's going to be Hitchcock.

Argo

I have seen Argo but my full review won't go live for a little while. Unfortunately it's sold out but I will say that if you have a ticket… well, done. [Brendon says: I've seen it. Contrived climax aside, this really works. Recommended]

Great Expectation

I have also seen Great Expectations but can't talk about it. This is sold out but if you have a ticket…You are a little less lucky than those going to see Argo.

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