The 57th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® is pleased to announce this year’s program of events, including SCREEN TALKS with filmmakers HIROKAZU KORE-EDA, CATHERINE BREILLAT and RALPH FIENNES; MASTERCLASSES with director ALFONSO CUARÓN and VFX Supervisor TIM WEBBER, cinematographer BARRY ACKROYD,
and composer CLINT MANSELL. Talks will include a BFI-hosted panel celebrating the UKs rich variety of filmmaking ‘British Cinema – Home-grown and all grown up’ and ‘William Faulkner: Film Noir & Nobel Prizes’ a talk from Adrian Wootton prompted by James Franco’s AS I LAY DYING.
These sit alongside the previously announced talk with acclaimed artist Stan Douglas; and Sonic Cinema events, the special performance by celebrated British composer Michael Nyman, and a one-off live show by Angolan Kuduro act Buraka Som Sistema at Village Underground.
Screen Talks
The BFI warmly welcomes Hirokazu Kore-eda whose Cannes Jury Prize winning LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON screens in Official Competition. The Japanese director, producer, screenwriter and editor exploded onto the world stage with his debut Maborosi for which he won best director at Venice, swiftly followed by Award winning Afterlife with further accolades and acclaim for Nobody Knows.
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Cannes Jury Prize winning LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Cannes Jury Prize winning LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Award winning French filmmaker Catherine Breillat discusses her impressive career and latest film ABUSE OF WEAKNESS (Abus de faiblesse) which screens in Official Competition. Powerful, provocative chronicler of female sexuality and intimacy, Brelliat has enjoyed strong critical acclaim for previous works such as Romance and Fat Girl. The BFI is delighted to welcome her to the festival to discuss her illustrious career.
Catherine Breillat’s ABUSE OF WEAKNESS (Abus de faiblesse)
BFI Fellow Ralph Fiennes’ second directorial offering THE INVISIBLE WOMAN receives its European Premiere as the Festival Gala; the film sees Fiennes both behind and in front of the camera for a striking and refined examination of Charles Dickens’ illicit, long term affair with young actress Nelly Ternan. The BFI proudly welcomes Fiennes to the Festival to discuss his substantial body of work as actor, and latterly as one of the UK’s assured directorial voices.
The Festival Gala is the European Premiere of Ralph Fiennes’ second directorial feature THE INVISIBLE WOMAN staring Fiennes as Charles Dickens, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas and Tom Hollander.
Masterclasses
Director Alfonso Cuarón presents his 3D sci-fi thriller GRAVITY as the LFF American Airlines Gala. Ecstatic reviews followed the film’s premiere at Venice, most singling out the extraordinary technical and creative achievement of a film almost entirely created with digital effects. For a first in depth look at the extraordinary process of creation, more than 4 years in the making, we welcome Cuarón and his VFX Supervisor Tim Webber from London’s Framestore.
The American Airlines Gala is Alfonso Cuarón’s 3D sci-fi thriller GRAVITY starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.
The American Airlines Gala is Alfonso Cuarón’s 3D sci-fi thriller GRAVITY starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.
Grammy and Golden Globe nominated composer and musician Clint Mansell joins the Festival for a masterclass co-presented with BAFTA to discuss his extensive work, encompassing collaborations with director Darren Aronofsky on Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan, and Noah (set for release in 2014); as well as Duncan Jones’ award winning directorial debut Moon and Filth directed by Jon S Baird.
Award-winning cinematographer Barry Ackroyd returns to the LFF to discuss his two films, screening as part of the Festival: Opening Night Gala CAPTAIN PHILLIPS which reunites Ackroyd with director Paul Greengrass, and Official Competition film PARKLAND with debut director Peter Landesman. Both films foreground Ackroyd’s gift for bringing the urgency and immediacy of his documentary shooting style to invigorate fiction filmmaking.
Talks & Panels
Prompted by the LFF screening of James Franco’s impressive adaptation of Faulkner’s novel, AS I LAY DYING, LFF Programme Advisor Adrian Wootton will explore the film work of William Faulkner in an illustrated lecture entitled ‘Film Noir & Nobel Prizes’.
James Franco’s AS I LAY DYING
James Franco’s AS I LAY DYING
This LFF programme brims with one of the strongest crops of British films in many years. In ‘British Cinema – Home-grown and all grown up’, the Festival welcomes a panel of filmmakers, critics and programmers for a closer look at some of the UK’s recent triumphs and to explore what factors might lay behind this cinematic golden period.
These talks are rounded out by the previously announced session with acclaimed visual artist Stan Douglas presented in partnership with Power to the Pixel. Douglas will discuss his work including his upcoming 3D augmented reality app and immersive storyworld, CIRCA 1948, produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
Sonic Events
As previously announced the Festival will include two events from the year-round Sonic Cinema programme. The celebrated British composer Michael Nyman will give a special performance at the BFI Southbank, playing solo piano from a selection of his film scores and providing accompaniment to some of the 70 films that he himself has shot. The BFI also welcome the unique Angolan Kuduro act Buraka Som Sistema to London for a one-off live show at Village Underground, following the UK premiere of João Pedro Moreira’s documentary OFF THE BEATEN TRACK which follows the Lisbon based band over a year long journey around the world.
Tickets are on sale via general Festival sales starting Friday 20 September.
Screen Talks
Hirokazu Kore-eda Saturday 12 October NFT1 18:30
Catherine Breillat Tuesday 15 October NFT1 18:45
Ralph Fiennes Friday 18 October NFT1 18:30
Masterclasses
Clint Mansell Thursday 10 October NFT1 18:30
Alfonso Cuarón & Tim Webber on Gravity Friday 11 October NFT1 18:30
Barry Ackroyd Wednesday 16 October NFT3 18:30
Talks & Panels
William Faulkner: Film Noir & Nobel Prizes Saturday 12 October Studio 12:30
Stan Douglas Sunday 13 October NFT1 18.30
British Cinema: Home-grown and all grown up Saturday 19 October NFT1 12:45
Sonic Events
Buraka Som Sistema, Off The Beaten Track Thursday 10 October Village Underground 19:30
Michael Nyman Monday 14 October NFT1 18:00
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