A day at the festival

54^th BFI London Film Festival

Thursday 21^st October

There’s nothing like a new movie to get us film lovers all a-jitter – so imagine the hype when the BFI London Film Festival comes to town. Now in its 54^th year, this festival showcases the best in new cinema from across the globe, mixed with Q&A sessions with writers and directors as well as whole host of other movie-based experiences. With film screenings open to all, it was almost impossible to resist hopping across to the Capital to catch a glimpse of the festival in action.

I headed to Leicester Square where I was booked to see Another Year, directed by Mike Leigh of Secrets and Lies fame. The film stars Jim Broadbent (Hot Fuzz) and Ruth Sheen (Vera Drake) as Tom and Gerri (and yes, the link to the cartoon is picked up on), a kindly couple heading for old age. As the title suggests, the narrative takes place in one year, specifically focusing on the events of each season – carefully tracked via the couple’s allotment.

The film is a beautiful one, with many moments hilarious and others incredibly uncomfortable to watch. The final image of Mary (Lesley Manville) is one that Leigh forces upon us for an unnatural length of time ending the film on a melancholy note. The movie deals with social insecurity, loneliness and deep dissatisfaction with life. But, it’s not all doom and gloom – to counterbalance the rather depressive outlook on life, there are many moments where love, stability and friendship prevail.

Broadbent’s performance is natural and warm, but Sheen’s is somewhat more stilted. Manville is impressive in the role of Mary, so much so that she’ll have you both loving and hating her character. Try loving her – she deserves it really.

After the screening, Mike Leigh came in to the auditorium for a quick Q&A. The conviction with which he defended the motives of his work was inspiring. All of his films are created through a process of improvisation, essentially starting with little more than an idea but ending up with a very precise script. This film is no exception – it allowed Leigh to explore both loneliness and togetherness as well as the ‘tragedy and the reality’ of those who are simply lucky or unlucky.

Ultimately, this film won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you like an honest, gentle depiction of daily life, this one’s for you. Plus, Mike Leigh fans will not be disappointed.

So that brings me to my final experience – seeing the stars. It’s common knowledge that if you see the red carpet rolled out in Leicester Square you don’t just walk past it. No, you jam yourself against the nearest barrier and take photos of every tinted-windowed car that pulls up as it might just be someone famous. As luck would have it, 21^st October was the London premiere of The King’s Speech, directed by Tom Hooper. Starring Colin Firth as King George VI, the movie tells the touching true tale of a monarch overcoming a crippling speech impediment during the turbulent times of World War Two. With the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush starring alongside Mr Firth, the red carpet was well and truly star-studded. The King’s Speech is due to hit cinemas in January and there are whispers of Oscar nominations a-plenty, so it’s definitely one to watch.

The whole afternoon was an atmosphere to remember – a real melange of students, movie lovers, actors and directors all turning out to celebrate truly great film. It’s an arty atmosphere, without feeling too pretentious, and I can safely say that I have never before been to a cinema where I have overheard one man introducing his friend to another as ‘the man who directed the film’. If you didn’t get a chance to go to this year’s BFI London Film Festival, pencil it into your diary for next year – it’s an event not to be missed.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this report on the London Film Festival.