The BFI’s LONDON FILM FESTIVAL is the UK’s leading film event and now in its 58th year is one of the world’s oldest film festivals.
by Roger Walker-Dack | 29th September 2014
It is also one of the very best with a programme of some 245 feature and documentary films from some of the industry’s best established filmmakers and cutting edge new talent getting their first big showcase. The 12 day Festival scattered all over London literally covers every film genre and has something for everyone from the avid cinephile to the most casual cinemagoer.
Its programme of LGBT films is, as always, particularly exciting and we have chosen just 8 of our favourites that we are happy to recommend to you.
1) LOVE IS STRANGE. This is your chance to preview IRA SACH’S wonderful new romance that US Critics have unanimously claimed is ‘the love story of the year’. With remarkable performances from John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as a devoted mature gay couple, the film serves as a graceful tribute to the beauty of commitment in the face of adversity
Look out for our full 5 Star review when it opens in UK Cinemas in December.
2) THE WAY HE LOOKS: Brazilian filmmaker Daniel Ribeiro’s touching coming-of-age story about a blind gay teenager is a sheer joy. It has already won the coveted Teddy Award for Best LGBT Film at the Berlinale, and only this week it has been announced that its been selected as Brazil’s Official Entry for a Best Foreign Picture Oscar Nomination.
Due for release in Cinemas in October when we will publish our 5 Star Review and an exclusive interview with the Director.
3) FREE FALL One of the very sexiest coming-out stories from Germany which features a couple of hot trainee policemen is already out on DVD but we think this is another 5 Star movie that would look even better seen on the big screen.
4) MOMMY has made our list of must-see-movies because it’s the work of multi-award winning gay wunderkind XAVIER DOLAN. At the ripe old age of 25, this 5th film of his is the second time he explores a mother-son relationship. Like all his previous work, this one is unmissable, an opinion shared by the Canadian Film Academy who have made it their Official submission for a Best Foreign Picture Nomination.
5) JAMIE MARKS IS DEAD is the sweet indie sophomore film from young American filmmaker Carter Smith. This supernatural thriller is by no means perfect but we added to our recommendations, as there is something totally beguiling about it that has kept it in our minds since it premiered at Sundance in January.
6) APPROPIATE BEHAVIOUR: Written, directed and starred in by the multi-talented Iranian/American powerhouse DESIREE AKHAVEN is a very sharp comedy about a Iranian/American bi-sexual woman struggling to rebuild her life after breaking up with her girlfriend Maxine whilst trying to conform to the wishes of her traditonal parents who she is not out too. Based on Ms Akhaven’s own life.
7) HOCKNEY : The celebrated gay British artist DAVID HOCKNEY OM CH RA gave filmmaker Randall Wright un-paralleled access to his personal archives for this new stunning new documentary for the BBC.
8) MY OLD LADY: We couldn’t help ourselves and slip in this new film written and directed by ISRAEL HOROVITZ simply because it stars gay icon and acting super-great DAME MAGGIE SMITH. Her co-stars in this charming new wee film set in Paris are Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas but we only have eyes for Dame Maggie
The BFI London Film Festival runs from 8-19 October 2014.
Full details and tickets http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff
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