2 – 13 October

2 – 13 OCTOBER

bfi.org.uk/lff

From 2-13 October the world’s best new films come to London. With 345 films to choose from, there’s a lot to explore – CONTENTS HOW TO #LFF here’s our guide to getting the most from the Festival. WHAT’S THE FESTIVAL LIKE? WHAT SHOULD I WATCH? HEADLINE GALAS 09 THE FILMS STRAND GALAS 16 #LFF is your chance to discover the Oscar winners of the future, the most thrilling new talent 22 from across the globe, and beautifully restored SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS treasures from the archives. Every film screening 29 at the Festival is hand-picked by our team of COMPETITIONS programmers, and all features are being shown in the UK for the first – and sometimes the only – time. LOVE 45 Films don’t get fresher than this! GALAS DEBATE 53 THE VENUES Our Galas are star studded premieres of some of We have 12 fabulous venues across Central the most anticipated films of the year. The Gala 61 London, each with an atmosphere and buzz all screenings are the first two screenings listed for LAUGH of its own. Head down to our social hub at BFI Headline Gala films and the first screening of other Southbank for free events and Festival chat, Gala films. Headline Galas at Odeon Luxe Leicester DARE 65 or discover our state of the art pop-up venue, Square offer the chance to walk the red carpet (and Embankment Garden Cinema. you can still watch the action even if you miss out THRILL 73 See pull-out schedule on tickets). There’s no dress code for Galas but feel free to don your glad rags or whatever makes 77 you happy! CULT See p9 JOURNEY 81 COMPETITIONS The Festival competitions bring together the most CREATE 89 innovative, groundbreaking new films from across the world. Our judges will be deliberating over 93 the course of the Festival and you can catch the EXPERIMENTA winning films at special surprise screenings on 100 Saturday 12 October. FAMILY THE FILMMAKERS See p29 Each year hundreds of leading directors, writers and TREASURES 103 actors join us on stage to introduce their films and STRANDS take part in audience Q&As. Our Screen Talks and How would you like to feel? Whether you’re after a EDUCATION & INDUSTRY 107 LFF Connects events are a chance to hear from laugh or some thrills, choose a strand and you’ll find the world’s top creative talent. Keep an eye on the our programmers’ carefully calibrated suggestions 108 website for announcements of all guests and events. to get your emotions stirring. EVENTS See p108 See p45 INDEX OF FILM TITLES 110

PULL-OUT SECTION SCHEDULE & TICKETS Jump to the middle for a pull-out schedule for the whole Festival as well as all the essential information on how to book.

HOW DO I GET A TICKET? See the pull-out schedule for pricing, ticket types and booking dates.

BOOKING ACCESS TICKETS Tickets go on sale on 12 Sep. Some films will sell We want everyone to enjoy the best new films. Dig a little deeper with our curated Passes: out quickly, but don’t despair – more tickets are Accessible screenings are marked throughout get 3 tickets for £30 on hidden gems from released for many titles on 26 Sep. You can also the brochure and schedule and detailed across the programme with our Discovery get returned tickets on the door so it’s always information on accessing our venues on the Passes, and 3 tickets for £21 on Experimenta worth trying your luck. Becoming a BFI Member website. If you have any questions, please screenings. We offer a range of concession is a great way to get ahead of the queue, with get in touch with our Box Office at tickets and under 25’s can get £5 tickets priority booking before tickets go on sale. [email protected] or 020 7960 2102 on the door, with advanced booking available on selected screenings.

3 INTRODUCTION

“If it’s mentionable, it’s manageable.” Boldness is notable this year in other ways, particularly commendable Those are words spoken by Fred Rogers in in a number of risk-taking debuts with filmmakers bringing Marielle Heller’s extraordinary A Beautiful Day uncompromising directorial voices to their first features: Mati Diop’s in the Neighbourhood. Like all good art, cinema Atlantics, Joe Talbot’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco and the helps us make sense of the world we live in. UK’s own Rose Glass and Billie Piper with, respectively, the singular And this year, filmmakers are tackling burning Saint Maud and the bitter, funny Rare Beasts. issues of our time – often in surprising ways. Indeed, it’s been an extraordinary year for UK debuts in general: This has often been true of non-fiction filmmaking Calm with Horses, County Lines, The Deathless Woman, and there are urgent works among the 42 documentaries screening Days of the Bagnold Summer, Lynn + Lucy, Make Up, Nocturnal, in 2019, including Feras Fayyad’s Syrian-set The Cave, and Sung-A Perfect 10, Pink Wall, Real, The Street, White Riot and Walking with Yoon’s Overseas, which details the exploitation of migrant workers. Shadows. Our programming team has been hugely impressed While in fiction, Haifaa Al Mansour’s The Perfect Candidate explores by the diverse work from a new generation of filmmakers who the power of local politics changing one mind at a time; Julius Onah’s reside in the UK. They join a thrilling international selection of work Luce presents an ingenious dark drama tackling racial bias, and the from 75 countries around the world. emergent activists in Rubaiyat Hossain’s Made in Bangladesh take On behalf of the programming team, I welcome you to the on deathly conditions in a Dhaka garment factory. No less vividly 63rd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express. imaginative, other films incorporate wild irreverence and riotous We hope you will be as shaken and stirred, provoked, astounded energy, such as Michael Winterbottom’s Greed, a sharp-tongued and electrified by the cinema here as we have been. corporate satire; Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles’ Tricia Tuttle anarchic, bloody socio-political Western Bacurau; Mirrah Foulkes’ Festival Director, startling feminist fable Judy & Punch and Taika Waititi’s brilliant BFI London Film Festival anti-nationalist, anti-racist satire Jojo Rabbit.

RARE BEASTS JOJO RABBIT MADE IN BANGLADESH

The UK has always offered a welcoming platform for international artists and We are proud to partner with the storytellers, and none more so than the BFI London Film Festival. It is a time when BFI London Film Festival for the filmmakers from every corner of the world gather here, among them some of the tenth consecutive year, world’s greatest names in cinema, alongside those at the very beginning of their giving cinema lovers, including careers. All of them share a common purpose which is to present their new work our Cardmembers, access to to an audience and it is often a very special moment as it is usually only the first or this unique and special event. second time it’s been seen. These are films that will challenge your perspective and American Express is a pique your curiosity for fresh ideas and viewpoints long-standing supporter of film The Festival is a truly international moment, as we open our arms to welcome and we are excited to champion Photo: Nancyhoney.com filmmakers from over 70 countries. It’s a moment that puts the UK at the centre of the Photo: Casey Moore the best and brightest talent from global film spotlight and it sends out a glorious message about our ambition to collaborate internationally. across the industry. We hope you enjoy this year’s programme and look forward to seeing you there. The BFI is a charity and this Festival is only able to happen because of the extraordinary generosity of our longstanding partner American Express, alongside so many other partners, sponsors and funders, not least all Charlotte Duerden, UK Country Manager – the National Lottery players in the UK whose ticket buying is so vital to champion good causes including film. American Express UK This is the perfect opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to them all and before you delve into the programme, I urge you to join me in loudly applauding all our supporters who are listed at the front of this brochure. Amanda Nevill, Chief Executive, BFI

4 #LFF WITH THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND FUNDERS FOR MAKING IT ALL POSSIBLE

PRINCIPAL PARTNER

SUPPORTED BY

MAIN SPONSOR

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5 AND THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL IN-KIND SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

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Londres

THE GREATEST SHOW ON SCREEN OCTOBER — JANUARY A FILM SEASON IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE AT BFI SOUTHBANK | ON BFI PLAYER #BFIMUSICALS

Musicals 2019 LFF Brochure Ad Full Page FINAL.indd 1 14/08/2019 15:30 THE GREATEST SHOW ON SCREEN OCTOBER — JANUARY A FILM SEASON IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE AT BFI SOUTHBANK | ON BFI PLAYER #BFIMUSICALS

Musicals 2019 LFF Brochure Ad Full Page FINAL.indd 1 14/08/2019 15:30 BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE.

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BFI_2012610_503302_210x297_p_img.indd 1 07.08.19 16:00 OPENING NIGHT GALA

WED 2 WED 2 THU 3 SAT 5 19:00 OLLS 19:45 EGC 14:20 EGC 12:30 EMPIRE BRITISH THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD

Dir Armando Iannucci. Armando Iannucci brings David Copperfield fizzing Beyond the superb script, Iannucci’s choice of lead is Prod Kevin Loader, Armando Iannucci. to life with all-star collaborators in this exuberant, inspired. Having revealed his ability to convey a bottomless Scr Armando Iannucci, entertaining and sharply pertinent adaptation. well of emotion in Lion (LFF 2016), Dev Patel shows his Simon Blackwell. HEADLINE GALAS With Dev Patel, Adapting one of Charles Dickens’ most beloved characters, lightning-sharp comic timing as Copperfield, as well as Ben Whishaw, Hugh Laurie, Iannucci and regular co-writer Simon Blackwell create a wicked gift for mimicry. He’s abetted by a stunning cast Nikki Amuka-Bird, a Victorian-set epic that nonetheless feels very modern, embarrassingly full of riches, with meaty comic roles for Peter Capaldi, Rosalind Eleazar, fresh and, quite frankly, hilarious. Following Copperfield Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood, Hugh Laurie as Mr Dick, Tilda Swinton. Peter Capaldi as the impossibly sunny Mr Micawber UK 2019. from early youth through to middle age, the story traces 120min. his social awakening, charting huge personal ups and and Ben Whishaw as the gloriously creepy Uriah Heep. UK Distribution Humorous, busy, bustling and bursting with colour Lionsgate downs as he witnesses the best and worst of humanity. Dickens’ ‘favourite child’ amongst his works, the plot also and energy, this is a Dickens reworking unlike any you’ve tackles social injustice in many forms – a lack of protection seen on the screen. Tricia Tuttle for children, poor industrial conditions for the working class, and wealth inequality. So, who better to tackle this tale than Iannucci, the genius behind The Thick of It, In the Loop, Veep and The Death of Stalin. His work has peeled back the hypocrisy of the ruling and political class with such unfettered enthusiasm and biting comic acuity.

Opening Night Gala in partnership with American Express HOW TO BOOK This year we are delighted to be opening the Festival across two venues, Odeon Luxe Leicester Square and our purpose built state-of-the-art cinema Embankment Garden Cinema. There will be an extended intro at both venues, with director Armando Iannucci and members of the cast expected to attend. Opening Night tickets to Embankment Garden Cinema are available for BFI Patrons to purchase and subject to BFI Champion and BFI Member ballot: bﬁ.org.uk/members. Opening Night tickets to Odeon are not available for purchase.

9 HEADLINE GALAS 10 THE IRISHMAN UK Distribution TBCmin. 2019. USA Anna Paquin. Bobby Cannavale, Romano, Ray Keitel, Harvey Pesci, Joe Pacino, Al With Scr Randall Emmett. Pavlovich, Gaston Chamales, Gerald Winkler,Irwin Koskoff, Tillinger Emma Jane Rosenthal, Niro, De Robert Prod Dir 17:30 OLLS SUN 13 CLOSING NIGHTGALA Martin Scorsese. Steven Zaillian. Robert De Niro, Niro, De Robert Martin Scorsese, Netflix 18:15 EGC 18:15 SUN 13 across decades. connected events,audaciouslycuttingbackandforth The Irishmanweavesanengrossing andintricatewebof collaborator StevenZaillian(Schindler’s List),Scorsese’s riveting, epiccrimedrama.Written byGangsofNewYork book CharlesBrandtandpublishedinthe2004 to journalist Frank ‘TheIrishman’Sheeran.Theaccountherevealed happened tohim.Feware as convincingthattoldby in 1982,varioustheorieshavecirculated astowhat Not longafter, hedisappeared. Declared legallydead fraud, buthewaspardoned byPresident Nixonin1971. a convictionforjurytampering,attemptedbriberyand organised crimewere wide ranging,hiscareer endedwith head oftheTeamsters union,whoseconnectionswith Who killedJimmyHoffa? Alabourleaderandtheinfamous that hasneverbeensolved. to thegenre hehashelpeddefine, withamystery Robert DeNiro findsthemaster filmmaker returning Martin Scorsese’s ninthcollaborationwith I HeardYou PaintHouses,isthebasisofthis 18:30 MAYFAIR SUN 13 See bfi.org.uk/lff forbookingdatesandparticipatingvenues. their localcinemaandfollowedbyaspecial preview screening ofTheIrishman. red carpetfootageandinterviewswiththefilm’s creators, beamedby satelliteinto Audiences around theUKwillhaveexclusivechancetoseeClosing Night tickets toOdeonare notavailableforpurchase. to BFIChampionandMemberballot: bfi.org.uk/members.ClosingNight Embankment Garden Cinemaare availableforBFIPatrons topurchase andsubject Scorsese andmembersofthecastexpectedtoattend.ClosingNighttickets Garden Cinema.There willbeanextendedintro atbothvenues,withdirector Martin Luxe LeicesterSquare andourpurposebuiltstate-of-the-artcinemaEmbankment This yearweare delightedtobeclosingtheFestivalacross twovenues,Odeon HOW TOBOOK

close theLFF–withatotalshowstopper. friendship formstheheartoffilm.Whatawayto Pacino’s Hoffa andDeNiro’s IrishmanSheeran,whose again straightaway, notleastthemanytwo-handerswith as JimmyHoffa sogoodyou’ll wanttowatchscenes for thefirsttimeinaScorsesefilm,givesperformance Bobby CannavaleandRayRomano.AlPacino,appearing Keitel, StephenGraham,AnnaPaquin,JessePlemons, (out ofretirement here forScorsese),alongsideHarvey former favoured megawattcast,all onexceptionalform:the post-production allowsScorsese tobringtogethera 70s through their30s.The seamless(andastonishing) the-art visualeffects to‘de-age’ thecastfrom their memories ofhiscriminalpast,thefilmusesstate-of- Presented through theprismofSheeran’s (DeNiro) Goodfellas pairingofDeNiro andJoe Pesci Tricia Tuttle

#LFF HEADLINE GALAS 11

Tricia Tuttle Tricia Johnson clearly knows his mystery genre greats from from greats Johnson clearly knows his mystery genre Murder, fiction, television and film. Agatha Christie, are some of the reference points. of the reference some She Wrote and Sleuth are But while always aware of the conventions, here Rian of the conventions, here But while always aware caper what he did with Johnson does for the murder Brick for noir and Looper for science fiction. He injects magic and shows you whole new ways them with fresh Knives Out is a classic of looking at a beloved genre. killed thewhodunnit and as sharp as the blade that at the heart of the film. patriarch

AD SUN 13 14:45 EMPIRE AD HOH WED 9 11:30 EGC AD Star Wars: The Last Jedi) Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars: cine-literate delivers a delight for film fans with his witty, and devilishly entertaining new crime caper. Murder mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher novelist Harlan Thrombey mystery Murder industryPlummer) is a veritable one-man crime-fiction – have been – and their children and his adult children for years. When he turns him the up dead, living off it seems that no-one has of a murder, victim apparent what that’s a motive for killing the golden goose. At least, the detectives assigned to the case think. But Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) – the debonair ‘Kentucky-fried’ by an anonymous private investigator mysteriously hired – has other ideas. Withsource a superb cast at their Collette, Chris Evans, best (Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni arch Ana de Armas and Michael Shannon, Katherine Langford, Don Johnson, to name a few), this is impeccably written and designed, full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish. TUE 8 20:30 EGC AD

Rian Johnson. Johnson. Rian

Rian Johnson, Johnson, Rian Daniel Craig, Craig, Daniel AMERICAN EXPRESS GALA TUE 8

19:30 OLLS 19:30 KNIVES OUT Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Plummer. Christopher USA 2019. 130min. UK Distribution Lionsgate Dir-Scr Prod Ram Bergman. With HEADLINE GALAS 12 Entertainment One Entertainment Distribution UK 101min. 2019. UK Tom Courtenay. Anne Reid, Patel, Himesh Felicity Jones, With Scr Tom Harper. Hoberman, David Prod Dir THE AERONAUTS 18:20 OLLS 20:30 EGC 20:30 18:20 OLLS MON 7 THE MAYOR OFLONDON’SGALA Tom Harper. Tom Harper. Jack Thorne. Eddie Redmayne, Todd Lieberman, AD MON 7 to watchthisfrom behindyourfingers! possible. Ifyouare squeamishaboutheights,prepare discoveries andredefine theboundariesofwhatis push themselvesbeyondthelimitstomakenew The Aeronautsseekstounderstandpeoplewho of adventurers andthestoriesoftheirexploits, you are insidetheballoon.Basedonacomposite into theair, with specialeffects thatmakeyoufeel the audacityandromance race oftheVictorian Book forBoysandWar Book),theyabsolutelynail previous collaborationswithHarper, TheScouting PotterandtheCursedChild (Harry Jack Thorne Rose) andwrittenbyequallytalentedbeloved his earliestshortfilmstolastyear’s FestivalGalaWild favourite Tom Harper(whohasscreened inLFFfrom to stopbickeringfirst.Directed bylong-timeFest in theinterest ofstudying theweather. Buttheyhave to embarkonmankind’s highest-ever balloonvoyage (Jones) andJamesGlaisher(Redmayne)are about them andawickerbasketbeneath?AmeliaWren atmosphere withjustaballoonandsomegasabove Who woulddare venture totheouterreaches ofthe about flightandscientificdiscovery. heart-racing andbreathless adventure story Eddie Redmayne’s aerialexplorers inthis The skyisnolimitforFelicityJonesand AD 11:15 EGC 11:15 8 TUE HOH AD 14:30 NFT1 14:30 10 THU Tricia Tuttle AD BRITISH Releasing Pictures Sony UK Distribution 107min. 2019. USA Cooper. Chris Watson, Kelechi Susan Rhys, Matthew With Noah Harpster. Blue, Scr Holzer. Leah Turtletaub, Marc Saraf, Peter Prod Dir A BEAUTIFULDAY INTHENEIGHBOURHOOD 17:30 EGC 17:30 12 SAT BFI PATRONS’ GALA Marielle Heller. Micah Fitzerman- Tom Hanks, Tom Hanks, Youree Henley, Henley, Youree

18:30 OLLS 12 SAT bfi.org.uk/join up close get Members BFI delivered herbestyet. Ever ForgiveMe?(LFF2018),MarielleHellerhas superb film toworkitsmagic. herthird feature,With afterthe you don’t needtoknowwhoRogerswasforthis and ingeniousdirection from Helleralsoensure that and NoahHarpster(serieswritersonTransparent ) as Rogers.Acleverscriptfrom MicahFitzerman-Blue Toy’s Story Woody, afterall)Tom Hanksisperfect As aHollywoodstaradmired forhisintegrity(he’s begins toquestionhisownmisanthropic outlook. But onspendingmore timewithRogers,Vogel suspicious: ‘Couldanyonereally besogood,kind?’ whose styleandideasare outdated.Heisalsodeeply as anmonolithofunfashionablepast–arelic write anarticleonthepresenter. Heregards Rogers Tom(based onjournalist Junod)iscommissionedto Matthew Rhys,playingmagazinewriterLloydVogel can mentionit,youmanageit’.Anexcellent have tofaceastheygrew up;hismottowas,‘Ifyou also tackledproblems thathisyoungviewersmight was asafehaven,where Rogersentertainedbut Rogers’ Neighborhood.Gently-paced,theshow generations ofchildren withhistelevisionshowMister American culture. Forthree decades,heenchanted It’s hard tooverstatetheimpactFred Rogershadon world-weary heart. in afilmdestinedtocapture eventhemost offer theperfectantidoteforuneasytimes, Director MarielleHellerandstarTom Hanks The Diary ofaTeenageThe Diary GirlandCanYou 11:30 EGC 11:30 SUN 13 Tricia Tuttle 17:45 EMPIRE 17:45 SUN 13

HEADLINE GALAS

BRITISH

Kate Taylor SUN 6 SUN SAT 5 13:50 EGC 15:15 SOHO Annette Bening and Bill Nighy star as a couple Annette Bening and Bill Nighy star as a couple drama directed in this witty divorce on the rocks Williamby celebrated screenwriter Nicholson (Gladiator, Shadowlands, Les Misérables). of regrets uncovered, decisions made too late uncovered, of regrets When web designer Jamie (Josh O’Connor) returns bohemian coastal home for the to his parents’ for the theatrics of poetry prepared weekend, he’s as they editor Grace and history teacher Edward pulls Jamie argue in the kitchen. But when Edward that after 29 years of marriage he’s aside to reveal clear that packed, it’s had enough and his bags are an almighty storm is about to descend. It turns out that Hell hath no fury like a 60-something divorcée. Annette Bening gives a barn-storming performance Grace, firing as the acidic and often unreasonable out snappy one-liners whilst undergoing an emotional apocalypse, and Bill Nighy is superb as a quiet man who just wants to update Wikipedia in peace. Shot with a ravishing sense of design and colour, making the most of its lush English coastline, this is an emotionally astute portrait of a marriage; of hope. and the precariousness FRI 4 18:30 OLLS18:30

Sarada Sarada

HEADLINE GALA FRI 4 18:00 EGC HOPE GAP Dir-Scr Nicholson. William Prod McDermott, David M Thompson. With Bening, Annette BillNighy, O’Connor. Josh UK 2019. 100min. DistributionUK Curzon BRITISH SUN 13 SUN 17:30 VUE7 Kate Taylor THU 10 11:45 EGC Steve Coogan dazzles as the ‘da Vinci of deal- sharp-tongued making’ in Michael Winterbottom’s on corporate greed. satire Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan) is the king of McCreadie Richard Following a few wobbles with fraud the high street. still on top, he is he’s investigations and to prove the ultimate celeb-filled 50th determined to throw birthday bash. Cue a Mediterranean island bedecked for an ancient Rome-themed with a fake amphitheatre bacchanal. But as the guests start arriving – including mother (Shirley Henderson), ex-wife (Isla Fisher), and shooting a Made in Chelsea-style a daughter who’s starts to empire McCreadie’s’ show – ‘greedy reality myth and come apart at the seams. Mixing Greek Gladiator fandom with incisive social politics, this is both an enjoyable and very angry film, hitting its typically thrilling energy. targets with Winterbottom’s Coogan is hilarious as the embodiment of hubris, with a vast ensemble cast including David Mitchell as an investigative journalist, Asim Chaudhry as a chilled- out lion tamer and Dinita Gohil as the woman making the connection between fast fashion and exploitation. down is how the film breaks also remarkable What’s business fraud and international trade deals in an that pits farce amid the anarchic easy-to-digest way, humour against the 1%. WED 9 20:15 EGC 20:15

Damian Jones, Jones, Damian Steve Coogan, HEADLINE GALA WED 9

19:00 OLLS 19:00 GREED Isla Fisher, David Mitchell, Asa Butterfield, Cookson. Sophie UK 2019. 100min. UK Distribution Sony Pictures Releasing Dir-Scr Dir-Scr Winterbottom. Michael Prod Melissa Parmenter. With HEADLINE GALAS Pictures Searchlight Fox UK Distribution 108min. 2019. USA Johansson. Scarlett Sam Rockwell, Taika Waititi, Thomasin McKenzie, Davis, Griffin Roman With Chelsea Winstanley. Taika Waititi, Prod Dir-Scr 14 JOJO RABBIT SAT 5 SAT 18:45 OLLS HEADLINE GALA

Carthew Neal, Neal, Carthew Taika Waititi.

AD SAT 5 SAT 20:00 EGC 20:00 and relevant, JojoRabbitisanabsolutegemofafilm. of heronscreen charisma.Riotouslyfunny, moving Johansson isdazzling,demonstratingthefullwattage – Merchant, SamRockwellandRebelWilson In acastrichwithcomicgenius–includingStephen with DavisandMcKenzieexceptionalasunlikelyallies. a filmofgreat emotionalchargeandtenderness, of racismandnationalism,Waititi hasalsocrafted with hisownconscience.Tackling theludicrousness Leave NoTrace ) intheirhouse,Jojomustgotowar been hidingayoungJewishgirl(ThomasinMcKenzie, When hediscovershismother(ScarlettJohansson)has an imaginaryAdolfHitler(Waititi, onhilariousform). inept memberoftheHitlerYouth; hisclosestfriend dead orevenadeserter–Jojoisgameifsomewhat hisfathergone–perhaps vicious tothelast.With The Naziregime iscrumblingbutremains stupidly Germany inthefinaldaysofSecondWorld War. Jojo (RomanGriffin Davis)isayoungboylivingin and pathos.JojoRabbitmightjustbehisbestyet. wicked senseofhumourandsmartblendsatire Taika Waititi haslongbeenamassingfanswithhis Ragnarok andWhatWe DointheShadows, , filmslikeHuntfortheWilderpeople With Tricia Tuttle comedy aboutchallengingdogmaandhate. Taika Waititi deliversanexuberantandirreverent AD SUN 6 14:30 OLLS HOH AD MON 7 15:10 TCR 15:10 Thor: Thor:

bfi.org.uk/lff 020 7928 020 3232 bfi.org.uk/lff tickets Buy THE KING Netflix Distribution UK 134min. 2019. UK-Hungary-Australia Depp. Lily-Rose Pattinson, Robert Harris, Sean Joel Edgerton, Timothée Chalamet, With Michôd. David Scr Watts. Liz Jeremy Kleiner, Gardner, Dede Pitt, Brad Joel Edgerton, Prod Dir 18:45 OLLS THU 3 THU AMERICAN AIRLINESGALA David Michôd. Michôd. David Joel Edgerton,

David Michôd, Michôd, David 20:05 EGC 20:05 THU 3 THU Shakespeare’s The startlingtransformationundertakenbyHalin to theFrench throne. Robert PattinsonasaparticularlyspicyDauphin,heir Queen ofEngland,BenMendelsohnasHenryIVand around, notleastLily-RoseDeppasCatherine,future bruising grandbattle.Supportingcastare excellentall of vipersasheisdepictingtheawesomescalea intimacy ofarare trustedconfidenceinaroyal court Arkapaw, whoisasmuchathomephotographingthe again collaboratingwithcinematographerAdam adaptation ofShakespeare’s text,withDavidMichôd Falstaff. Bloody, potent,rousing, thisisafull-bodied writer, makesaparticularlysoulful,tragic-heroic John Edgerton, asgiftedandversatileanactorheisa the steelyauthoritarianismofakinginmaking. the charmandrecklessness oftheyouthfulprinceand range andversatility, andheperfectlycaptures both despised hisfatherfor. ItfindsChalametdisplayinghis and foundhimselfembroiled intheverysamewarshe to explore howareluctant monarch tookthecrown, screenwriter andstarJoelEdgertonadaptthosetexts David Michôd(AnimalKingdom, literature’s mostacutecharacterstudies.Here, prince intotheall-powerfulmonarch, isoneof this stunning,visceralportraitofHenryV. Chalametstarringin kingdom, withTimothée David Michôdexplores adifferent kindofanimal 11:30 EGC 11:30 FRI 4 FRI Henriad series,from thefun-loving Tricia Tuttle 12:45 PCC 12:45 SUN 6 ( 10:00 – 20:30 daily The Rover)andco- BRITISH ) HEADLINE GALAS 15

SUN 13 12:30 TCR MON 7 14:00 OLLS 14:00 Marriage Story is vintage cinema MON 7 MON 11:15 EGC In a career full of remarkable highpoints full of remarkable In a career (The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha, is another The Meyerowitz Stories…), here Noah Baumbach. dizzying high from most personal yet. also his It’s Tricia Tuttle Tricia Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) is an actor. Charlie Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) is an actor. (Adam Driver) is a director. Together, they run a Together, (Adam Driver) is a director. also They’re company. theatre New York-based Coastermarried and have a son. But Nicole is a West pace and a healthier life for who craves a different bear California Charlie can’t for too long. their family. Accepting a temporary separation while Nicole takes a film job in LA, the dissimilarities in their desires an economical plot, the gradual become a chasm. It’s – pleasure unravelling of a marriage, but the great and agony – lies in the details. Baumbach is a master of understanding what makes people tick and of finding the bitter hilarity in even the most desolate emotional scenes, such as Charlie steadily falling apart under the unforgiving eye of a family custody worker observing him with his son. Johansson and Driver Laura Dern exceptional, as are and Ray Liotta,are playing spiky and hilariously well-observed West lawyers. Baumbach gives them all soCoast divorce moments to shine (and they do!) as hemany great shoots on gorgeous 35mm with a 1.66 aspect ratio performance, often with startling that foregrounds long takes. Alongside the likes of Shoot the Moon and Kramer vs Kramer, up, while trying to keep it together. about breaking SUN 6 SUN 19:30 EGC 19:30 Noah Baumbach, Baumbach, Noah

THE MAY FAIR HOTEL GALA FAIR THE MAY SUN 6 SUN 18:45 OLLS 18:45 MARRIAGE STORY Dir-Scr Baumbach. Noah Prod David Heyman. With Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta. USA 2019. 137min. UK Distribution Netflix

AD FRI 11 OLLS 14:00 AD Matt Damon and Christian Bale give an acting Matt Damon and Christian Bale give an acting (Logan, Walk in James Mangold’s masterclass the Line) study of a friendship that shaped 1960s motor racing. Tricia Tuttle Tricia After being forced to quit a highly decorated motor After being forced Shelby (Damon) Carroll for health reasons, racing career strapped inside an elegantly thrill to see a fearless driver, designed tin can. And though this is an absolute must have to be a racing fan for car enthusiasts, you don’t about those putting their lives and reputations to care at risk. An instant classic, Le Mans ’66 is a buddy movie with heaps of old school Hollywood charm. turned to car designing. A legend in this world, having been one of the few Americans to win the gruelling by 24-hour marathon at Le Mans, Shelby was hired looking to rejuvenate who were Motor Company, Ford an outmoded brand and build a race car capable of taking on world champions Ferrari. While Shelby had wanted associated the American charm that Ford about Shelby’s so sure with their brand, they weren’t Limey the notoriously ill-tempered driver, favoured an excellent from Ken Miles (Bale). Working rebel script by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, Mangold the first scene and never lets go. hooks you from brilliant at burning up the tracks with dynamic, He’s race scenes, while engaging us with hair-raising the moving exploration of a friendship that fought car that to build a revolutionary corporate interference a a racing chance at Le Mans in 1966. It’s gave Ford THU 10 20:05 EGC AD

Peter Chernin, Matt Damon,

Jez Butterworth, James Mangold. Mangold. James HEADLINE GALA 19:15 OLLS 19:15 THU 10 Twentieth Century Fox Christian Bale, Bale, Christian Jon Bernthal, Balfe, Caitriona Letts. Tracy USA-France 2019. 152min. DistributionUK Dir Prod Topping, Jenno Mangold. James Scr John-Henry Butterworth, Jason Keller. With LE MANS ’66 STRAND GALAS

FESTIVAL GALA FAMILY GALA

FRI 11 SAT 12 SAT 5 18:00 EGC 11:30 EGC 15:00 OLLS AD EMA ABOMINABLE

Dir Pablo Larraín. Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s (Jackie, No) The latest animated tale from Dreamworks is a fun, Prod Juan De Dios Ema features a superb Gael García Bernal and Dir Jill Culton, fast-paced action adventure about a little girl and Larraín. Todd Wilderman. Scr Guillermo a spellbinding lead performance from newcomer Prod Suzanne Buirgy, her yeti companion in a race-against-time trip from Calderón, Mariana Di Girolamo. Peilin Chou. China to the Himalayas. Pablo Larraín, Scr Jill Culton. Alejandro Moreno. Every new Pablo Larraín film is a miracle of imagination, With Chloe Bennet, Teenager Yi, who lives in Shanghai, is surprised to With Mariana Di invention and insight into human behaviour. And Ema Tenzing Norgay Trainor, discover that a Yeti has escaped captivity and found Girolamo, Albert Tsai, Gael García Bernal, may be his most lyrical and poetic yet – a character Eddie Izzard, his way on to the roof of her apartment building. Paola Giannini, study of a beguiling woman who is ruled by heart and Sarah Paulson. Moreover, he’s far from happy. After some initial Santiago Cabrera. impulse. In a vivid collage of scenes shot by Sergio USA-China 2019. posturing between the two, it’s not long before they Chile 2019. 98min. 102min. Armstrong (The Club, Souvenir), with an expressive UK Distribution form a bond and the furry stranger is named Everest EST. score from Nicolas Jaar, Larraín paints a picture of Universal Pictures by Yi and her friends Jin and Peng. Everest is on Sales The Match International Factory talented contemporary street/reggaeton dancer the run from zoologist Dr Zara (Sarah Paulson) and and teacher Ema. We learn of a recent trauma and Burnish (Eddie Izzard), an old and very rich collector her fiery relationship with her slightly older husband of species. So, the teens decide to help him on (Gael García Bernal), who is both a choreographer the dangerous and epic 2,000-mile journey to the and her creative collaborator. Their recent adoption Himalayas, where he can be reunited with his family. of a troubled child has gone badly, for which they Along the way, they discover that Everest has a are harshly judged. They, in turn, blame one another. magical relationship with nature, which manifests Writing with Guillermo Calderón (Neruda) and itself in many wondrous and delightful ways. Alejandro Moreno, Larraín’s film intersperses explosive, Written and directed by Jill Culton (Open Season), intoxicating scenes of dance within dramatic this collaboration between Dreamworks Animation moments that are fractured in time. Through them, Studios and Pearl Studio in China is a joyous and we get an indelible sense of Ema. Fragments of rewarding achievement. Boasting a compelling her past are revealed to us, but she is very much story and breathtaking visuals achieved by the latest presented as a creature of this moment: wounded, animation technology, Abominable is as beautiful fierce, loving and committed to righting wrongs, often as it is funny and exciting. Justin Johnson through unconventional and occasionally dubious means. Her magnetism pulls people into her orbit and Suitable for age 6+ it’s a seductive place to be; at once tender, volatile, physical and fully alive. Tricia Tuttle

16 See something different player.bfi.org.uk STRAND GALAS 17

SUN 13 SUN VUE4 12:20 Kate Taylor schoolboy in this sassy body-swap comedy from schoolboy in this sassy body-swap comedy from South Korea. A ballsy gangster accidentally possesses a timid A ballsy gangster accidentally possesses a timid and ruthless gangster who thinks nothing of violently muscling out the little man to get what he wants. After a strange encounter at a ramen cafe, he’s accident and finds himself in involved in a street a pickle when he awakens to discover that he’s high-school magically traded bodies with... a nerdy student. Crikey! As the timid teenager Dong-hyeon (Jin-young Jung, of K-pop band B1A4) gains overnight, inner Pan-su his super-confidence discovers that he has unfinished business with Freaky Friday to Your From mother. a classmate’s Name, body swapping is an ongoing fascination the genre in cinema. The Dude in Me approaches in hilarious slapstick, with giddy glee, revelling whip-crack timing, and some finely-tuned comic Jin- performances – particularly that of heartthrob young Jung, who displays a surprising adeptness at playing a boy possessed by a crass middle-aged macho man. Employing dry humour to undercut twists to a classic premise, the film finds fresh culture, in an upbeat, poptastic entertainment that resulting sustains its surprisingly sweet energy and laughs to the last. Pan-su (Sung-woong Park) is a high-flying CEO THU 10 14:15 EGC Finecut Seung-hyo Lee, Lee, Seung-hyo Dae-sung Park. Hyo-jin Kang. LAUGH GALA WED 9 EGC 17:20 Dir Prod Bong-jun Kim. Scr With Jung, Jin-young Sung-woong Park, Mi-ran Ra, Soo-min Lee, Kwang-kyu Kim. South Korea 2019. 122min. EST. Sales THE DUDE IN ME

Tricia Tuttle Tricia the Cannes Jury Prize and is coming for your the Cannes Jury Prize and is coming for your mind next! This brazen Brazilian weird western snatched This brazen Brazilian weird A young woman named Teresa travels home for the A young woman named Teresa of was the matriarch who funeral of her grandmother, Bacurau, a village that happily embraces its misfits, mixed-heritage outsiders, whores, hippies and queers.mixed-heritage outsiders, whores, discovers that the dusty little town On arrival, Teresa the map by the middle- has been wiped clean off busy ingratiating the north, who are class elite from themselves, selling their country and its people (quite it turns and American out) to rich European literally, Following Aquarius (LFF 2016), Kleber interests. with long- credit directorial Mendonça Filho shares time collaborator Juliano Dornelles in this stuffed-to- the-gills futuristic parable. Evoking Cinema Novo in its as well wild imagination and fiery socio-political fury, Sergio Leone and John Jodorowsky, as Alejandro Carpenter in its ecstatic stylings, Bacurau is darkly and pleasurably complex. The filmmakers sardonic give just enough scene-to-scene narrative information this wondering where to keep you leaning forward, thing is taking you. If the odd bout of grisly explosive violence is not your bag, be warned. But this will thrill for wild-hearted ecstatic cinema with fans searching political punch. SAT 5 OLLS 11:30

Saïd Ben Saïd, Bárbara Colen, Colen, Bárbara

THRILL GALA 21:15 OLLS 21:15 FRI 4 Sônia Braga, Braga, Sônia Udo Kier, Thomás Aquino. 2019. Brazil-France 130min. EST. DistributionUK Dir-Scr Dir-Scr Mendonça Kleber Filho, Dornelles. Juliano Prod Michel Merkt, Lesclaux.Emilie With MUBI BACURAU STRAND GALAS 18 JUDY &PUNCH Entertainment Picturehouse Distribution UK 105min. Australia 2019. Lucy Velik. Hardie, Benedict Tom Budge, Damon Herriman, With Gabai. Danny Nash Edgerton, Prod Dir-Scr 20:45 EGC 12 SAT DARE GALA Mia Wasikowska, Wasikowska, Mia Michele Bennett, Mirrah Foulkes. Foulkes. Mirrah 13:45 OLLS SUN 13 if JudydecidednottotakePunch’s incessant but onethatre-imagines whatmighthavehappened departure, Foulkescreates anoriginstoryofsorts, Punch andJudypuppetshowasaninitialpointof Taking thestrange,misogynistic 16th-century is rousing, inventiveandsomuchfun. finds outjusthowpowerfulsheis.Judy&Punch Wasikowska isawonderfulJudy, whobelatedly film abouttheemergenceofareluctant heroine, yet somehowstillpitiable.Andattheheartofthis a brilliantPunch–dangerously egomaniacal,and ( revenge story, partfantasyepic.DamonHerriman Foulkes creates avivid,darklycomicfable–part confidence thatbelieshernewnesstothecraft, highly accomplishedsenseofstyleanddirectorial a witchcraft orsomeotherspuriouscrime).With of afellowcitizen(invariablywomanaccused whom agreat day outisusuallythepublicstoning stage theirshowsforrowdy, mob-mindedlocalsfor husband andwifepuppeteersPunchJudy battery quitesomeekly. InthetownofSeaside, Justified, Writer/Director MirrahFoulkesdelivers with afeministtwist. Mia Wasikowska splendidinthisfairytale an audaciouslybrilliantfirstfeature, with ) makes Once UponaTime inHollywood ) makes Tricia Tuttle

International Pictures Universal UK Distribution 110min. 2019. USA Valeriia Karaman. Pattinson, Robert With Eggers. Max Scr Henley. Youree Anna, Sant’ Lourenço Eggers, Robert Hoy, Van Jay Prod Dir THE LIGHTHOUSE 21:30 OLLS 5 SAT IN ASSOCIATION WITHTIMEOUT CULT GALA Robert Eggers. Eggers. Robert Robert Eggers, Eggers, Robert Willem Dafoe, Dafoe, Willem Rodrigo Teixeira,

11:10 EGC 11:10 SUN 6 entirely ofhisownterrifyingaudiences. audacious andinnovativefilmmakers–findingways to prove himselfoneofcontemporarycinema’s most his remarkable, Eggerscontinues debutTheWitch knotty periodtextwithunwaveringgusto.Following scowling mouthsaround RobertandMaxEggers’ Pattinson asthefeudingseadogs,wrappingtheir boasting extraordinary performancesfrom Dafoeand beauty andbrutalityistrulythestuff ofnightmares, Once seen,neverforgotten,thishypnoticfusionof sense offearandparanoiaalsobeginstostir. which befellhismaster’s former assistant,acreeping grows. ofthemysteriousfate Butwhenhelearns passing ofeachpunishingday, Ephraim’s resentment presides overthemythicallight.Andwithslow onerous anddemeaningdemands,Tom proudly As theyoungapprentice tendstothebuilding’s more baiting slave-driverandEphraimhisbattered lackey. quickly establishavolatiledynamic,withTom the to share theseuncomfortablyclosequarters,thepair Dafoe), aveteranseafarer withwhomheisobliged Greeted withgruff hostilitybyTom Wake (Willem lighthouse where hewillworkforthenextfourweeks. (Robert Pattinson)reluctantly arrivesatthebegrimed of theNewEnglandcoast,EphraimWinslow Leaving Canadabehindfortheunforgivingterrains Michael Blyth Robert Eggers,theSutherlandAward-winning LFF withhismasterfulmaritimeshocker. director, returns toterrorise ofTheWitch the HOH AD 15:30 TCR 15:30 11 FRI AD

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Michael Blyth FRI 11 16:10 NFT3 charming buddy movie about a young man in pursuit of his dreams. The spirit of Mark Twain lives on in this effortlessly lives on in this effortlessly The spirit of Mark Twain Tyler Nilson brims with an infectious sense of adventure Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) is on a mission of his own – to escape the clutches of a pair of angry crabbers after unwisely messing with their traps. As fate brings so begins the these two accidental fugitives together, friendship, and a profound start of an epic journey, The first that will change both of their lives forever. Michael Schwartz and writer-directors from feature impossible not to be swept up in. The ever-impressive but this LaBeouf and Johnson shine throughout, appeared film. Having previously is Gottsagen’s in the acclaimed documentary Becoming onscreen Bulletproof, his acting debut is nothing short of a guaranteed to stir the heart of even the revelation, most steadfast cynic. Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a restless 22-year-old with 22-year-old Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a restless is frustrated by the slow pace of Syndrome, Down’s Itching life at the nursing home in which he resides. of becoming a for some excitement, he dreams a worn-out obsessively re-watching wrestler, pro The Salt hero, VHS tape of his favourite Lycra-clad to meet his idol, Redneck. Hatching a plan Water his geriatric prison, with from Zak makes a break Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) in hot his worried carer pursuit. Meanwhile, struggling fisherman Tyler FRI 4 14:45 EGC

Albert Berger, Berger, Albert Shia LaBeouf, LOVE GALA LOVE TOURISM AUTHORITY WITH MALTA IN ASSOCIATION THU 3 17:15 EGC Dir-Scr Michael Schwartz, Tyler Nilson. Prod Ron Yerxa, Lemole, Christopher Zajaros, Tim Lije Sarki, David Thies. With Johnson, Dakota Gottsagen. Zack USA 2019. 93min. UK Distribution Signature Entertainment THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON BRITISH Tricia Tuttle Tricia SUN 13 SUN LUMIÈRE CINÉ 15:00 AD HOH a sharp political thriller about a key moment in the history of the Iraq conflict. Gavin Hood follows up Eye in the Sky with As a government employee or contractor, is it ever As a government employee or contractor, And when should an right to leak state secrets? individual decide if this is in the national interest? the almost impossibly weighty questions These are Official faced by the subject of Gavin Hood’s Secrets, a political drama about Katharine Gun, government contract worker facedan ordinary choice. In 2003, on the eve with an extraordinary of the UK-US invasion of Iraq, Gun intercepted the UK was being communications that revealed asked to spy on UN Security Council Members to help influence votes sanctioning the invasion of as Iraq. Knowing full well her legal responsibilities an employee, Gun weighed up her duty as one but also the risks to trusted with national security, security (her husband was a Muslim her own family’s status) immigrant awaiting permanent residency this information for and decided she must release the national good. Keira Knightley gives an excellent lack performance as Gun – bringing both a refreshing of self-consciousness and an urgency to the role ensemble that includes Matt – alongside a strong Smith and Ralph Fiennes. FRI 11 15:00 EGC AD

Ged Doherty, Keira Knightley,

Gavin Hood, Gavin Hood. DEBATE GALA DEBATE 17:00 EGC THU 10 Matt Smith, Fiennes, Ralph Goode, Matthew Ifans. Rhys UK-USA 2019. 112min. UK Distribution Entertainment One Dir Prod Elizabeth Fowler, Melissa Shiyu Zuo. Scr Bernstein, Sara Gregory Bernstein. With OFFICIAL SECRETS STRAND GALAS 20 Netflix Distribution UK 126min. 2019. Italy-Argentina Juan Minujín. Jonathan Pryce, With Scr Seaward. Tracey Jonathan Eirich, Prod Dir THE TWO POPES 17:20 EGC MON 7 JOURNEY GALA Fernando Meirelles. Anthony McCarten. McCarten. Anthony Anthony Hopkins, Hopkins, Anthony Dan Lin, Lin, Dan 14:20 EGC 8 TUE on screen. Hallelujah! Pryce andHopkinsare ajoytowatchtogether men progresses. Andwhateveryourstakesinreligion, the intimatedebatebetweenthesetwopowerful – compassion,self-doubt,shameandprideas Mereilles’ technicalbravuradepicts–withrichtextures dialogue thatcrackleswithhumour. Director Fernando between HopkinsandPryce,whorelish therich Rhapsody, Terrific writingfrom AnthonyMcCarten(Bohemian adherence totradition–makesforpassionatedebate. – forward-looking andprogressive versusastubborn few daysoveronesummer, theirclashofideologies And whenthetwomenare brought together fora However, theinstitutionfacesareckoning withitself. becoming PopeBenedictXVI,Bergoglioisrelieved. Ratzinger (AnthonyHopkins)whogetsthegig, a contenderforthetopjob.Sowhenit’s Joseph direction oftheCatholicChurch, eventhoughhe’s (Jonathan Pryce)hasbecomedisillusionedwiththe hallowed hallsoftheVatican, JorgeBergoglio Travelling from thestreets ofBuenosAires tothe Anthony HopkinsandJonathanPrycetussleover (City ofGod,TheConstantGardener). cinematic two-handerfrom Meirelles Fernando the future oftheCatholic Church inthisthrillingly ) showcases the chemistry Darkest Hour)showcasesthechemistry 15:30 TCR 15:30 9 WED Kate Taylor

WESTERN STARS Western Stars Films Co Prod 83min. 2019. USA Barbara Carr. Travis, George Landau, Jon Prod Bruce Springsteen. Dir 21:00 EGC 21:00 11 FRI CREATE GALA Thom Zimny, Zimny, Thom Thom Zimny, Zimny, Thom 11:30 OLLS 12 SAT bfi.org.uk/join up close get Members BFI intimacy rarely seeninliveperformances. musicianship andstorytelling,achievingalevelof work istheperfectdistillationofthatrichfusion Thisvisuallyravishing,profoundly journeys. insightful films, takingtheirlistenersonamultitudeofnarrative have oftenplayedoutlikeperfectlyformedshort master lyricist,Springsteen’s character-driven tracks and regrets hehasfacedinhisownlife.Alwaysa the songsandruminatesonloves,challenges of beautifully-shotvignettesinwhichhereflects on latest record from starttofinish,intercut withaseries handful ofaccompanyingmusicians)performshis (joined byhiswifePattiScialfa,asmallorchestra and surroundings Springsteen ofamajesticoldbarn, music loversacross theworld.Inatmospheric film asameansofbringingtheliveexperienceto Zimny, optedinsteadtoproduce afeature-length Springsteen, collaboratingwithco-director Thom that hewouldnotbetakingtherecord ontour, with pared-back Resolved emotionaltenderness. ode totheAmericanWest blendslushorchestration Campbell andBurtBacharach,Springsteen’s elegiac melancholic popsoundsofartistssuchasGlen of fansandcriticsalike.Drawingonthesweetly was released this yeartotherapturous response Bruce Springsteen’s 19th studioalbumWestern Stars hybrid ofconcertdocumentaryandmemoir. latest release, Western Stars,inthiscaptivating Bruce Springsteenperformstheentirety ofhis 12:30 EMPIRE SUN 13 DOC MichaelBlyth

SPECIAL PRESENTATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH EMPIRE SPECIAL PRESENTATION

MON 7 TUE 8 WED 9 SUN 6 MON 7 21:15 OLLS 12:45 OLLS 15:00 VUE7 16:45 EGC 14:15 EGC BAD EDUCATION BLACKBIRD

Dir Cory Finley. A deliciously piquant pairing of Hugh Jackman Dir Roger Michell. A superb Susan Sarandon plays a mother

Prod Fred Berger, Prod Sherryl Clark, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Eddie Vaisman, and Allison Janney powers Cory Finley’s David Bernardi, spending a final few days with her husband Julia Lebedev, eagerly awaited follow-up to his explosive Rob Van Norden. and adult children in Roger Michell’s exquisite Brian Kavanaugh- debut Thoroughbreds (LFF 2017). Scr Christian Torpe. reworking of 2014 Danish drama Silent Heart. Jones, With Susan Sarandon, Oren Moverman, In the early 2000s, Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman) Kate Winslet, Set over a weekend at a beautiful house near the Mike Makowsky. Mia Wasikowska, Scr Mike Makowsky. was Roslyn, New York’s star school superintendent, Sam Neill, seaside, it’s clear from the outset that Lily (Sarandon) With Hugh Jackman, hugely charismatic and delivering stellar academic Lindsay Duncan. has made her family aware that she plans to end Allison Janney, results that helped property prices skyrocket with USA 2019. her own life before her terminal disease renders her Ray Romano, 97min. Geraldine a housing boom fuelled by parents’ desperation to UK Distribution incapable of doing so. Her adoring husband (Sam Viswanathan, move into his school’s catchment area. Along with Lionsgate Neill) is committed to being there for her, making Alex Wolff. USA 2019. his trusty, salty dog of a deputy, Pam Gluckin (Allison the choice as emotionally and physically painless 104min. Janney), he could do no wrong. But then a plucky as it can be, while her two daughters (Kate Winslet Prod Co Automatik student reporter uncovered some shocking secrets and Mia Wasikowska) are both reluctant to accept about the school’s finances. This taut and hugely Lily’s decision for their own very personal reasons. entertaining second directorial effort from Finley One of the UK’s classiest cinematic storytellers, comes from a script – which made the 2016 Black Michell (Enduring Love, Le Week-End, Notting Hill) List – written by Roslyn native Mike Makowsky, based has a crystalline gift for getting a good script to sing, on the true story of an embezzlement scandal that always drawing soulful performances from his actors. rocked the New York school system. Collaborating And the quality of the cast here says everything with a gifted production team that includes composer about his regard as a director. While the debate Michael Abels (Us, Get Out) and shot on film by over euthanasia is very sensitive, Christian Torpe’s Lyle Vincent (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, measured, intelligent and compassionate script is Thoroughbreds), Finley crafts a compulsive school- less interested in ethics than it is in understanding set political thriller. Crisply capturing the early 2000s, human behaviour. Deeply moving and satisfying as the film recalls Election and Half Nelson in presenting a drama, Blackbird is a story about the complexity a high school environment that isn’t what it initially of family love, but one with an urgent and relevant seems. And amongst a brilliant ensemble, Janney beating heart. Tricia Tuttle and Jackman fizz as the wildly entertaining double act – gobsmacking in their duplicity, charm and audacity. Tricia Tuttle

21 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

SPECIAL PRESENTATION DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL PRESENTATION

SAT 12 SUN 13 MON 7 TUE 8 16:00 SOHO BSL 15:10 VUE7 18:00 NFT1 17:50 VUE6 DOC BOMBAY ROSE THE CAVE

Dir-Scr Gitanjali Rao. This animated feature is both epic and personal, Dir Feras Fayyad. Oscar-nominated Feras Fayyad’s (Last Men in Prod Rohit Khattar, Prod Kirstine Barfod, Anand Mahindra. and a glorious love letter to life and love in Mumbai. Sigrid Dyekjær. Aleppo) essential film tells the harrowing story With Cyli Vivek Khare, Gitanjali Rao’s delicate and nuanced collection of Scr Feras Fayyad, of an underground Syrian hospital and its Amit Deondi, Alisar Hasan. extraordinary staff. Gargi Shitole. stories unfolds and overlaps around two protagonists. Syria 2019. India-UK-France- And like so many of Mumbai’s population, both are 95min. The forces of the Syrian government besieged the Qatar 2019. EST. 93min. immigrants. Kamala, who is Hindu and has escaped UK Distribution suburb of Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, EST. a child marriage in Madhya Pradesh, is now a flower Dogwoof between 2012 and 2018. Its inhabitants were Sales garland street seller, looking after her younger sister submitted to unspeakable chemical attacks and C International Sales and desperate for a way out. Salim, a young Muslim bombardments. The Cave is the name of one of the who has escaped war-torn Kashmir also sells flowers, secret subterranean hospitals that provided medical albeit lifted from the local graveyard. But he spends care to the trapped population. Led by Dr Amani most of his time escaping via his daydreams into – a tirelessly resilient 30-year-old paediatrician who Bollywood action thrillers and fantasies of Mughal was forced to end her studies due to the war – the high romance. Then there’s Shirley, an elderly Anglo- courageous and mostly female hospital staff worked Indian ex-actor who dwells mostly in the past. Their relentlessly, coping with low stocks of medicine and stories cross when Salim steals a carmine rose left little food to care for the brutalised victims flooding by Shirley at a graveside to give it to Kamala, whose in via tunnels and hidden passages. The film charts beauty leaves him breathless. Though attracted the daily horrors as life continues inside the hospital; to each other, Kamala and Salim’s different faiths from the charming Dr Alaa who operates to classical and the uphill struggles they face in their lives keep music, to Samaher, the unofficial chef who learned them separated. Rao’s exquisite animation allows to cook in between bombing raids and who tries characters to move seamlessly between real and valiantly to retain her sense of humour. Feras Fayyad imagined worlds, while her skills as a storyteller imbue crafts an urgent and poignant testimony of the the film with hidden depths of emotion and empathy humanity of the hospital staff, who risk their lives to for her characters’ plight. This is a film for the die-hard maintain the health and hopes of the people they romantics out there. Cary Rajinder Sawhney treat. But the film is also a call to action – a demand for a response to this intolerable humanitarian crisis. Laure Bonville

22 Buy tickets bfi.org.uk/lff 020 7928 3232 (10:00 – 20:30 daily) SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL PRESENTATION

FRI 11 SAT 12 MON 7 WED 9 21:15 OLLS 14:30 OLLS 20:30 NFT1 15:30 VUE5 FIRST LOVE GÖSTA

Dir Takashi Miike. A young boxer on the brink of death falls in love EPISODES ONE, FIVE, He is the best! Lukas Moodysson’s long-awaited Prod Muneyuki Kii, with a woman caught in the crossfire between SIX and EIGHT return and first TV series is a loving satire about SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Jeremy Thomas, Dir-Scr Misako Saka. yakuza and triad gangs in a fight over stolen drugs. Lukas Moodysson. the nicest child psychologist in provincial Sweden. Scr Masaru Nakamura. Takashi Miike has been taking things easy of late Exec Prod Last seen at LFF with 2013’s widely adored girl-punk With Masataka Kubota, Hanne Palmquist, ˉ Nao Omori, – since his 100th feature Blade of the Immortal Steve Matthews, charmer We Are the Best!, Swedish writer-director Shoˉta Sometani, (LFF 2017), the prolific Japanese director has only Antony Root. Lukas Moodysson returns with his first foray into Becky, Jun Murakami. Prod Lars Jönsson. Japan-UK 2019. managed to complete three productions. His most With Vilhelm Blomgren, episodic television. Described by its creator as ‘a mix 108min. recent film, First Love proves that he still had much Mattias Silvell, of comedy and Dostoevsky – as funny as possible EST. to explore in the yakuza world, even after 2015’s Amy Deasismont, and as serious as possible,’ the focus of Gösta Sales Clara Christiansson HanWay Films anarchic, bloody vampire flick-crime movie mash-up Drake, is its extremely kind title character. A 28-year-old Yakuza Apocalypse. However, this time Miike has Regina Lund. psychologist for children and adolescents, Gösta Sweden 2019. taken a different route, employing a love story as a 120min. has relocated from Stockholm to rustic Småland counterpoint to the intrigues of the Tokyo underworld. EST. to begin working at a small local clinic. Played with Sales ReInvent Studios Promising young boxer Leo (Masataka Kubota), International Sales floppy-haired sweetness by rising Swedish star who has a recently diagnosed brain tumour, meets Vilhelm Blomgren (Midsommar), he’s the type of Yuri (Sakurako Konishi), a young woman sold into person who’ll give you a ride home if he catches you prostitution to pay off her father’s debts. Miike takes trying to steal his bike. Our hero is not only aiding his time developing his characters, setting up a an asylum seeker with a visa appeal, but also has complex drug heist – involving a yakuza turncoat, the man staying at his house. As the show unfolds, a gang of Chinese triads and a corrupt local cop Gösta’s abode becomes crammed with troubled – with the patience and tension-building detail that guests, most notably his hilariously chaotic father Takeshi Kitano showed with his recent Outrage trilogy. and a teenage patient who can’t face her parents. But once everyone’s in place, all hell breaks loose; It’s too much for Gösta’s medical student girlfriend having been sedated with hard drugs, the unwitting Melissa, who insists that he can’t help everyone. Yuri is supposed to take the fall for a double-cross, Affectionately lampooning youthful idealism, Gösta is but instead takes off with Leo in a True Romance- a contemporary cousin to Moodysson’s 1970s-set style all-nighter that involves decapitations, shoot- commune classic Together, while his empathetic outs and car chases. There’s a shout-out to Toei storytelling transfers perfectly to the small screen. Studios’ exploitation heyday in the retro opening Manish Agarwal credits, but First Love is 21st-century Miike through and through. Damon Wise

23 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

EXPERIMENTA SPECIAL PRESENTATION ARCHIVE SPECIAL PRESENTATION

THU 3 SUN 13 THU 3 20:30 NFT1 12:15 ICA BRITISH 18:10 NFT1 BRITISH KRABI, 2562 LOVE, LIFE AND LAUGHTER

Dir-Scr Observing locals and visitors creates a highly Dir George Pearson. Lost for nearly a century, this rediscovery is Ben Rivers, With Betty Balfour, Anocha original portrait of the Thai tourist town of Krabi Harry Jonas, a wonderful opportunity to fall under the spell Suwichakornpong. in this collaboration between award-winning Frank Stanmore. of Betty Balfour, Britain’s ‘Queen of Happiness’. Prod Maenum directors Anocha Suwichakornpong and UK 1923. Chagasik. 61min. Balfour was Britain’s biggest star of the 1920s, so With Ben Rivers. Prod Co the discovery of one of her key films is a major event. Siraphun Wattanajinda, Suwichakornpong (By the Time It Gets Dark, Welsh Pearson Love, Life and Laughter has been one of the BFI’s Arak Amornsupasiri, Restored by Primrin Puarat, LFF 2016) and Rivers (The Sky Trembles and the BFI National Archive at most sought after films for decades. Identified by Nuttawat Attasawat. Earth Is Afraid and the Two Eyes Are Not Brothers, L’Immagine Ritrovata, archivists at EYE Filmmuseum in the Netherlands, UK-Thailand 2019. LFF 2015) merge their unique cinematic languages Bologna with the this Dutch-language version is incomplete, with 94min. collaboration of UK Distribution across reality and folklore in South Thailand, creating EYE Filmmuseum. footage missing throughout the film. Painstakingly Anti-Worlds a stylish meditation on the eponymous tourist town. Restoration supported pieced together by our restoration team with new They reunite with Suwichakornpong’s celebrated by the Eric Anker- English intertitles, it restores to us a truly vivacious Petersen Charity Hong Kong cinematographer Ming-Kai Leung and performance from Balfour and adds to our knowledge River’s research-focused experimental sonic artist of director Pearson, a key figure in British cinema of Ernst Karel for the film’s rich sound design. A cast whose films a bare handful survive. Telling the story of real and imagined characters unreliably narrate of a pair of working class youngsters with big dreams your journey from fertility caves on paradise beaches – a cheery chorus girl and a serious writer – the film to a bat-filled abandoned cinema. Then there’s an toys with our expectations, blurring the boundaries of advertisement shoot by Oliver Laxe (Fire Will Come, reverie and reality, tragedy and comedy. Bryony Dixon in this year’s Dare strand), a secluded former boxing champion and flashes of the stunning coastal With live musical accompaniment by Meg Morley. Extended introduction by Bryony Dixon and Kieron Webb, landscape’s pre-historic past. Together, the artists BFI National Archive. Full programme time 90min. create an absorbing and playful portrait of a people, place and time that floats across fiction and reality, leaving haunting vignettes on the legacy of our age. Sarah Perks

24 See something different player.bfi.org.uk BFI FLARE SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL PRESENTATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH SIGHT & SOUND

FRI 4 SAT 5 TUE 8 WED 9 21:00 EGC 11:20 EGC BRITISH 17:25 EGC BSL 14:30 EGC OUR LADIES PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE PORTRAIT DE LA JEUNE FILLE EN FEU Dir This infectious 1990s-set comedy drama finds Dir-Scr A female portrait painter falls in love with her

Michael Caton-Jones. Céline Sciamma. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Prod six Catholic teenage choirgirls cutting loose in Prod Véronique Cayla, subject in Girlhood director Céline Sciamma’s Michael Caton-Jones, Edinburgh, in a loving adaptation of Alan Warner’s Bénédicte Couvreur. perfect new film. Laura Viederman, novel The Sopranos. With Noémie Merlant, Brian Coffey. Adèle Haenel, In 1760, Lady Héloïse’s (Adèle Haenel) mother hires Scr A pitch-perfect evocation of the possibilities and Valeria Golino, a female painter to create a portrait of her daughter Alan Sharp, Luàna Bajrami. Michael Caton-Jones. frustrations of being young and riotously alive in France 2019. for a distant suitor. But the painter, Marianne With Eve Austin, mid-90s Scotland, Our Ladies follows the teenage 119min. (Noémie Merlant), must do so in secret because Tallulah Greive, choirgirls of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on a EST. Héloïse is fiercely opposed to being married off; Abigail Lawrie, UK Distribution Sally Messham, day trip from their port town in the Highlands to a Curzon she thinks instead that Marianne has been hired Rona Morison, singing competition in Edinburgh. Its focus is the as a walking companion. Looking – especially so Marli Siu, UK 2019. rebellious gang sitting at the back of the bus, who intently in order to memorise details – becomes an 100min. are less interested in the contest than furthering their act of profound intimacy and seduction, and when UK Distribution Sony Pictures own version of a catholic education in the big city. Héloïse’s mother leaves for business in town, the Releasing Booze and boys feature heavily and hilariously, but smouldering between the women ignites. While this unvarnished coming-of-age saga also ponders this is devastatingly effective as a love story against (without preachiness) sexuality, pregnancy, class impossible social and cultural barriers, to read the difference and the tumultuous path of true friendship. film as only that is to dismiss so many nuances and The six central characters are brought to life by layers. Céline Sciamma has crafted a film about the brilliant performances from Eve Austin, Tallulah Greive, unique, secret codes of female-only spaces; about Abigail Lawrie, Sally Messham, Rona Morison and an historical economy which rendered women’s Marli Siu. Each is given her space to shine by Alan artistic contributions invisible, but not non-existent; Sharp and Michael Caton-Jones’s screenplay, which and about women’s limited control of their own skilfully adapts Alan Warner’s widely acclaimed novel bodies. This is a gloriously restrained and precise The Sopranos, without compromising the source film that pushes for new ways of employing sound material’s gloriously profane and swaggeringly musical and music, one that redefines the construction of spirit. This is the author’s second book to be made the gaze – of the protagonist, the camera, and the into a film (following Morvern Callar) and a long-gestating viewer – on the female form. With every new work, labour of love for veteran Scottish director Caton- from Water Lilies and Tomboy to Girlhood, Jones, who optioned it 20 years ago. Manish Agarwal Sciamma has developed as a filmmaker of greater power and poignancy. Portrait of a Lady on Fire seals her position amongst the best of Special £5 tickets for 25 & Under are bookable her generation. It’s Céline Sciamma on fire. Tricia Tuttle in advance at bfi.org.uk/lff/25-and-under

25 10 Oct – 02 Nov

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE, MALTHOUSE THEATRE MELBOURNE AND

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS THE ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE EDINBURGH PRESENT

A new play by DAVID GREIG Adapted from STANISŁAW LEM’S novel Directed by MATTHEW LUTTON

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

FRI 11 SAT 12 Tickets from £10 BRITISH 18:30 OLLS 14:30 EGC lyric.co.uk ROCKS Registered Charity No. 278518

Dir Sarah Gavron. This is a vibrant and hugely engaging portrait Prod Faye Ward, Ameenah Ayub Allen. of female friendship and growing up in London Scr Theresa Ikoko, from director Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane, Suffragette) Claire Wilson. and collaborators. With Bukky Bakray, Kosar Ali, Olushola Joy Omotoso, ‘Rocks’ to her mates, is 24 Oct – 23 Nov D’angelou Osei Kissiedu, a London teenager with ordinary teenage cares; Shaneigha-Monik hanging with her crew and helping to look after Greyson, her little brother keeps her grounded. But on Ruby Stokes. UK 2019. returning from an ordinary day at secondary school, 90min. she discovers her mother isn’t home. There’s just UK Distribution Altitude Film a little cash and an apology note. Fearing that she Entertainment and her brother will be separated if the authorities find out, Rocks decides not to tell anyone and instead copes with her brother alone. Based on a script from award-winning playwright Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson (Little Drummer Girl, LFF 2018), the drama was developed through extensive workshops with Gavron and the female cast, all of whom were discovered through casting sessions at schools. Hélène Louvart’s (Happy as Lazzaro, LFF 2018) fluid, intimate cinematography helps give Rocks a persuasive immediacy and naturalism, with the girls vividly bringing their characters to life. What’s remarkable is that far from feeling as National Theatre Wales and Royal Court Theatre if the film has been cast with ‘non-actors’, Rocks features magnetic performances across the board – particularly from the trio at the heart of the story. Kosar Ali and Shaneigha-Monik Greyson are great as On Bear the friends pulling Rocks in different directions, and Bukky Bakray is fearless and entrancing in the title role. Along with the whole filmmaking team, they give voice to the London girls you see every day. Lean Ridge By Ed Thomas closer because they have something to say. Tricia Tuttle royalcourttheatre.com Special £5 tickets for 25 & Under are bookable in advance at bfi.org.uk/lff/25-and-under

26 #LFF Be Fabulous. Be Mayfair. AWARDS

The BFI London Film Festival Awards are a celebration Our judging panels, drawn from across the film industry, of the most exciting, innovative new films. Creative, will be deliberating throughout the Festival. You can watch beautiful and often provocative, the nominated films the nominated films during the Festival, and discover the showcase an incredible range of filmmaking talent winners at our special screenings on Saturday 12 October. from across the world.

JOY GIRL WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE WORLD’S ON FIRE? OFFICIAL COMPETITION FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The Best Film Award recognises inspiring, The Sutherland Award recognises the most The Grierson Award recognises feature-length inventive and distinctive filmmaking. original and imaginative directorial debut. documentaries with integrity, originality and The Award was established in 2009 and Introduced in 1958 and named in honour social or cultural significance. Launched in first won by Jacques Audiard for A Prophet. of BFI patron George Sutherland-Leveson- 1972 and named in honour of documentary Recent winners of the Award include Gower, recent winners include Lukas Dhont’s filmmaker John Grierson, recent winners Sudabeh Mortezai’s Joy, Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Girl, John Trengove’s The Wound and include Roberto Minervini’s What You Gonna Loveless and Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women. Julia Ducournau’s Raw. Do When the World’s on Fire?, Lucy Cohen’s Kingdom of Us and Mehrdad Oskouei’s Starless Dreams.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION LASTING MARKS AND SHARE YOUR PICKS FOR SHORT FILM COMPETITION AWARD WINNERS’ SCREENINGS THE PRIZES WITH #LFFAwards The Short Film Award recognises short-form Be the first to discover this year’s award works with a unique cinematic voice and winners, and watch our juries’ favourite a confident handling of chosen theme and films of the Festival. The winning films /LondonFilmFestival content. Recent winners include Charlie will be unveiled before a public audience @BFI Lyne’s Lasting Marks, Patrick Bresnan’s at surprise screenings at Vue West End @BritishFilmInstitute The Rabbit Hunt and 9 Days – From My and Odeon Tottenham Court Road Window in Aleppo, directed by Issa Touma, on Saturday 12 October. Thomas Vroege and Floor Van der Meulen. Tickets only £10 (£5 for 25 & Under)

28 OFFICIAL COMPETITION

Maxine Peake delivers a powerhouse performance Maxine Peake delivers a powerhouse performance to question her oppressive as a woman forced provocative in Thomas Clay’s environment period drama. Michael Blyth On an isolated Shropshire farm in 1657, Fanny Lye farm in 1657, Fanny Lye On an isolated Shropshire (Maxine Peake) lives a humble existence with her puritanical husband John (Charles Dance) and young of this God-fearing But the daily routines son Arthur. abruptly interrupted when they discover family are two strangers hiding in their barn, pleading for help. and left for dead, the Claiming to have been robbed young pair initially ingratiate themselves with their new hosts, although it is not long before reluctant ways begin to cause tensions. their progressive pays a sheriff With the town’s hostilities brewing, of wanted of a pair estate in search visit to the Lye their criminal the interlopers to reveal outlaws, forcing held hostage in their own are intentions. As the Lye’s world is turned upside down, leading home, Fanny’s her to doubt her tyrannical husband and the societal that dictate her life. By no means a staid structures intoxicating chamber historical saga, Thomas Clay’s morality tale, drawing piece is a daring and rebellious yarn about physical confinement and spiritual liberation. With visual motifs and a bold use of music arresting injecting an exhilarating urgency to the action, on disparate genre elements to weave an unforgettableon disparate genre audacious. this is filmmaking at its most breathlessly

Zorana Piggott, Maxine Peake, FANNY LYE DELIVER’D LYE FANNY ThomasDir-Scr Clay. Prod Cannan, Rob Philippe Bober, Michel Merkt, Lang. Joseph With Dance, Charles Freddie Fox. UK-Germany 2019. 112min. Sales Office Coproduction

BRITISH

INVENTIVE AND DISTINCTIVE FILMMAKING INVENTIVE AND DISTINCTIVE OFFICIAL THE BEST FILM AWARD RECOGNISES INSPIRING, FILM AWARD THE BEST

FRI 11 15:00 VUE7 COMPETITION 15:30 VUE5 FRI 11 20:40 NFT1 THU 10 OFFICIAL COMPETITION 30 Releasing Pictures Sony Distribution UK 95min. 2019. USA Jupe. Noah Lucas Hedges, With Scr Har’el. Alma Christopher Leggett, Gou, Anita Lundberg, Taplin Daniela Jones, Brian Kavanaugh- Prod Dir HONEY BOY 20:10 VUE7 20:10 SUN 6 Alma Har’el. Har’el. Alma Shia LaBeouf. LaBeouf. Shia Shia LaBeouf, LaBeouf, Shia

20:45 VUE5 20:45 SUN 6 talent todosowithsuchgraceandpoignancy. courage towritewithsuchbruisingcandour, northe screenwriting coach’s maxim,butfewwouldhavethe meta-narrative twists.‘Write whatyouknow’,isthe crafted astunning,complexfilm,fullofnarrativeand of hisownreal-life father).LaBeoufandHar’elhave abusive father(anexcellentLaBeouf,playingaversion in thecare ofhisunstableandoftenemotionally a youngOtis(thebreathtakingly goodNoahJupe), past. We soonfindourselvesinasleazymotelwith him intorehab, hebeginstoexaminehistroubled destructive behaviour. Butwhenanaccidentforces He’s analcoholicwithapenchant forfiercely self- plays Otis,whomakesalivingstarringinactionfilms. unconventional andbrutalisingpast.LucasHedges and darklybeautifulstoryaboutachildactorwithan actor ShiaLaBeouf.Together theydeliverapotent for herfirstdramaticfeature withgiftedwriterand 2011. Here, shecollaboratestoimpressive effect debut about eversincefeverishregard forherstunning Alma Har’elhasbeenafilmmakertogetexcited Tricia Tuttle emotional abuse. soul-baring examinationofthelingeringeffects of with filmmakerAlmaHar’elonthisartfuland Writer andperformerShiaLaBeoufworksclosely Bombay Beachspread likeawildfire through 12:30 VUE7 12:30 MON 7 13:00 VUE5 13:00 MON 7 LINGUA FRANCA Sales 95min. 2019. USA Cohen. Lynn Farren, Eamon With Darlene Malimas. Velayo, Carlo Jhett Tolentino, Prod Isabel Sandoval. Dir-Scr 20:45 VUE7 20:45 9 WED Isabel Sandoval, Isabel Sandoval, Luxbox

21:30 VUE5 21:30 9 WED bfi.org.uk/join up close get Members BFI of struggleandhope. disempowerment, themes around identity, sexualdesire andstructural great intimacyandinsight.Deftlyexploringcomplex role ofOlivia)hascraftedadeeplymovingwork director IsabelSandoval(whoalsotakesonthe on raceandimmigrationinTrump’s America,writer- performed characterstudyandanincisivecritique she sodesperatelyneeds?Bothabeautifully future. ButperhapsAlexcanoffer herthesecurity through, Oliviaisleftfeelinghopelessabouther When plansforherGreen Card unsurprisinglyfall and overtimethepairdevelopastrong connection. slaughterhouse workerbattlinghisowninnerdemons Olivia meetsOlga’s grandsonAlex,adespondent that thenuptialswillnevermaterialise.Oneday US. Havingbeendisappointedbefore, sheworries to marryhersoshecanobtainlegalstatusinthe staged relationship withthemanwhohasagreed dementia, Oliviaspendshertimedocumentinga an elderlyRussianwomanintheearlystagesof not surreptitiously workingasacaregiver forOlga, of deportationweighingonhershoulders.When goes through eachdaywiththeagonisingthreat Olivia, aFilipinotranswomanlivinginBrooklyn, social drama. and securityinthispoignantmixoflovestory An undocumentedimmigrantsearches forsafety 12:40 VUE7 12:40 10 THU is a timely portrait Lingua Francaisatimelyportrait Michael Blyth 13:10 VUE5 13:10 10 THU

OFFICIAL COMPETITION 31

FRI 11 13:00 VUE5 Tricia Tuttle Tuttle Tricia Shirley Adams) continues to FRI 11 12:30 VUE7 Oliver Hermanus follows The Endless River (LFF 2015) with a haunting examination of the violent persecution of gay men under Apartheid. the Angolian border and all white young men over the Angolian border 16 must serve two years of compulsory military and its service to defend the Apartheid regime of toxic racist machismo. The ‘black danger’ culture with what is wrong threat; and present is the real out, Nicholas and others like him can be rooted But just when fear like a cancer. and cured treated in pushes Nicholas to accept unspeakable horrors the hopes of staying invisible, a tender relationship for becomes as dangerous with another recruit With them both as any enemy fire. his fourth feature, Hermanus (Beauty, dark past delve into the casualties of his country’s poise and complexity and he delivers a film of great – one that gets deep inside Nicholas’ head. nuanced physical Brummer gives an extraordinarily aching performance, emphasised by Braam du Toit’s which underpins his constant and tense score, of discovery. anxiety – the threat 1981, South Africa. Nicholas (Kai Luke Brummer) is that there has long known he is different, something shameful and unacceptable in him that must stay hidden, denied even. But South Africa’s in conflict at embroiled minority government are THU 10 21:10 VUE5

Eric Abraham, Abraham, Eric Kai Luke Oliver Hermanus, Oliver Hermanus. THU 10 20:40 VUE7 MOFFIE Dir Prod Sidey. Jack Scr Sidey. Jack With Brummer, Ryan de Villiers, Matthew Vey. South Africa-UK 2019. 99min. Sales Sales Film Portobello

WED 9 13:00 VUE5 WED 9 12:30 VUE7 Spectres of the past come back to haunt Spectres general with an unsavoury past a retired Bustamante’s Jayro in Guatemalan director thriller. taut genre-bending Maria Delgado his home, he begins firing his gun out of fear, his home, he begins firing his gun out of fear, scaring the servants who have to cope with his are violent outbursts. His wife thinks that these acts in his dementia, but the weeping woman rooted the spirit of a woman hears is La Llorona, Monteverde Elderly general Enrique Monteverde is being tried Elderly general Enrique Monteverde decades earlier. for a genocide he oversaw three Convinced that a mysterious woman has entered who has returned to seek justice for the dead.who has returned and the mass murder lengthy Civil War Guatemala’s a powerful historical of Mayan civilians provide (his second, feature third framework for Bustamante’s than a passing more There’s plays in Dare). Tremors blustering between Julio Diaz’s resemblance former dictator José and Guatemala’s Monteverde Efraín Ríos Montt, who was tried and found guilty of genocide in 2013, only for the conviction to be overturned. But it is in the mapping of a wider culture to flourish of terror of complicity that allows a regime of the glacial responses that the film excels. From wife to the head housekeeper whose Monteverde’s this clear, to the general is never entirely relationship through and lies, rendered is a film about secrets visual language that melds horror, a breathtaking drama to disarming effect. fantasy and courtroom

TUE 8 21:10 VUE5

Film Factory

Jayro Bustamante, Bustamante, Jayro Jayro Bustamante. Bustamante. Jayro 20:45 VUE7 TUE 8 LA LLORONA Entertainment María Mercedes Coroy, Sabrina De La Hoz, Margarita Kénefic. Guatemala-France. 2019. 97min. EST. Sales Dir Prod Bustamante, Jayro Gustavo Matheu, Georges Renand, Peralta Marina Scr Lisandro Sánchez With OFFICIAL COMPETITION 32 Entertainment Picturehouse Distribution UK EST. 102min. 2019. USA Sweden-Uruguay- Netherlands-Germany- Colombia-Argentina- Buenaventura. Sofia Arias, Moisés Julianne Nicholson, With Santos. dos Alexis Landes, Alejandro Scr Landes. Cristina Santiago Zapata, Epstein, Fernando Landes, Alejandro Prod Dir MONOS 20:30 VUE7 20:30 4 FRI Alejandro Landes. Landes. Alejandro

21:00 VUE5 21:00 4 FRI completely, utterlythrilling. Monos sparkswithdarkadrenal electricityandit’s jungle, alltothestrainsofMicaLevi’s visceralscore. mud andorganicdecay, cuttingswathesthrough the on theirowncontinent.Thecameraprowls over screenwriter AlexisdosSantos,referencing horrors is alsoawildlyoriginalvisionfrom Landesand the markinmappingoutfilm’s terrain.Butthis to wherever ithasscreened thisyearandcomparisons the Doctora.Monoshasinspired feverishbuzz underlined bythepresence ofanAmericanhostage, teen ravegoneferal,butforthedeadlyseriousness fucking, playingandfighting.Thismightbesome and waitforinstruction.Theystaveoff boredom by a motleygroup ofchildandteenagesoldierstrain billowing cloudsbutwithgunshotsheard inthedistance, High inthemountainsofSouthAmerica,above intoxicating thrilleraboutchildsoldiers. talked-about filmsoftheyear:ahallucinogenic, Alejandro Landes deliversoneofthemost Apocalypse NowandLordoftheFliesare notoff 12:30 VUE7 12:30 5 SAT Tricia Tuttle 13:00 VUE5 13:00 5 SAT

bfi.org.uk/lff 020 7928 020 3232 bfi.org.uk/lff tickets Buy Sales 92min. 2019. Ireland-Belgium-USA Gough. Denise Michiel Huisman, With Catherine S McMullen. Scr Marie Gade Denessen. Lynch, Orpen Tristan O’Sullivan, Aoife Lancaster, David Prod Szumowska. Dir THE OTHERLAMB 20:40 VUE7 20:40 FRI 11 FRI Małgorzata Małgorzata

Raffey Cassidy, Cassidy, Raffey Stephanie Wilcox, TrustNordisk 21:10 VUE5 21:10 FRI 11 FRI

can beahazard toone’s health. film shows,alackofdevotionandconformityreally community playinenforcing culturalnorms.Asthe faith, complianceandtheroles thatgenderand previous work,withitsdisquietingexaminationof Szumowska returnstosomethemespresent in from CatherineSMcMullen’s excellentscript, Atwood’s dystopiansciencefiction.Working here from DavidKoresh’s Waco, Texas culttoMargaret that compellinglyrecalls arangeofreferences, the giftedSzumowskaoffers aneerieethereal vision TheOtherLamb , with worldlywisdom.With Denise Goughrepresents thedangerofawoman makes amessianic,unnervingShepherd, while Alongside her, MichielHuisman(GameofThrones) bewilderment andterror, butalsofierce defiance. Cassidy isspectacularasSaleh,conveying The KillingofaSacredDeerandVox Lux,Raffey see herdevotionshaken.Already soimpressive in perfect ofthefaithfulflock,untilunsettlingrevelations woodland settlement.Selahappearsthemost leader ofthestrictlyregimented andisolated male, andaseeminglybenevolentbutundisputed women andgirlsruledoverbyShepherd, theonly intoTheFlock,acommunityof Selah wasborn of lifeinanotherworldlycult. debut isabeguilinggenre-tinged examination Mug andLFF2015’s Body)English-language Małgorzata Szumowska’s (BerlinJuryPrize-winner 13:15 VUE7 13:45 VUE5 13:45 VUE7 13:15 SAT 12 SAT SAT 12 SAT ( 10:00 – 20:30 daily Tricia Tuttle 17:50 VUE6 17:50 SUN 13

) OFFICIAL COMPETITION 33

SUN 6 SUN 20:45 NFT2 FRI 4 13:00 VUE5 Further Beyond) that often FRI 4 12:30 VUE7 Mister John, A young woman seeking her biological mother A young woman seeking her biological mother territory in this gripping journeys into dangerous duo Desperate Optimists. Irish directing drama from Helen, Kate Taylor It’s during a term studying animal euthanasia that during It’s veterinary student Rose (Ann Skelly) decides to contact Julie (Orla Brady), the birth mother who gave her up for adoption. But Julie, who is now want doesn’t a successful London-based actress, of impersonation deals with the uncanny effects of truth. Withand the slippery nature Rose Plays Julie they have crafted a slow-burn thriller that inside an exquisite world builds a sense of dread through rendered of immaculate architecture, an icy performance style and enveloped by a soundtrack. Skelly and Brady are claustrophobic as the in their delivery, both exacting and measured to arrive longing and revenge film takes us through at the dark places of power and its abuses. This is frank, immersive and decidedly feminist filmmaking. to know. Undeterred, Rose will not be ignored. Rose will not be ignored. Undeterred, to know. And curiosity leads her to discoveries that shake the fragile identity she has built for herself. also Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor, Directors known as Desperate Optimists, have spent years atmospheric cinema making formally rigorous, ( THU 3 21:00 VUE5

David Collins, Collins, David Ann Skelly, THU 3 20:30 VUE7 Dir-Scr Molloy, Christine Joe Lawlor. Prod Joe Lawlor. With Orla Brady, Aidan Gillen. Ireland-UK 2019. 100min. Prod Co Films Samson ROSE PLAYS JULIE ROSE PLAYS TUE 8 13:00 VUE5 Elhum Shakerifar TUE 8 12:30 VUE7 Celebrated Saudi director Haifaa Al Mansour Celebrated Saudi director to the Festival with , LFF 2012) returns (Wadjda an inspiring drama about a young doctor unexpectedly becoming an electoral candidate. Despite being a highly competent doctor, Maryam’s Maryam’s Despite being a highly competent doctor, and complications is paved with compromises road the– including a flooded path leading to her clinic, not taken seriously by local dangers of which are When her attempt to drive to a medical officials. is stymied by not having the right papers, conference she finds her only solution is to sign up to be an electoral candidate, allowing her easy access through of local as the responsibility blocks. However, road in her sisters, one she ropes politics dawns on her, to mount an of whom is a wedding videographer, visible campaign, challenging Saudi increasingly strict social codes and what is expected of Arabia’s Meanwhile, her father a young woman in the country. a afar – having received from follows her progress permit to perform in public spaces for the first time as a musician. His tender but steadfast in his career at not coupled with his regret support of his daughter, the joy of his own tour with their being able to share that is a moving – and timely – reminder late mother, But in the end, it really change can be a long process. is worth the struggle. MON 7 MON 21:00 VUE5 BSL

Roman Paul,

Haifaa Al Mansour, Haifaa Al Mansour. 20:30 VUE7 MON 7 MON THE PERFECT CANDIDATE The Match Factory Mila Alzahrani, Dhay, Khalid Abdulrahim, Shafi Al Harthy. Arabia Germany-Saudi 2019. 101min. EST. Sales Dir Prod Meixner, Gerhard Haifaa Al Mansour, Niemann. Brad Scr Niemann. Brad With SAINT MAUD

Dir-Scr Rose Glass. A mysterious nurse becomes dangerously Prod Oliver Kassman. With Morfydd Clark, obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient Jennifer Ehle. in director Rose Glass’ divine debut. UK 2019. 83min. Having recently found God, self-effacing young Prod Co nurse Maud (Morfydd Clark) is untiring in her spiritual Escape Plan devotion. Landing a job as full-time private carer, she arrives at the plush home of Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), a hedonistic dancer left frail from a chronic illness. OFFICIAL COMPETITION While they could not be more different – Amanda’s taste for the extravagant being the antithesis of Maud’s pious values – the mismatched pair are intrigued by each other, slowly building a brittle bond of co-dependency. But when a chance encounter with a former colleague throws up hints of a dark past, it becomes clear there is more to sweet Maud than meets the eye. As Amanda’s self-indulgent behaviour escalates, tensions between the couple steadily grow, leaving Maud convinced that she has been sent to serve a higher purpose. Rose Glass’ gothic-tinged psychological drama is a wickedly playful piece of work, by turns insidiously creepy, darkly humorous and heartbreakingly sad. The two leads crackle with palpable chemistry, with Jennifer Ehle’s beautifully nuanced performance proving the perfect complement to Morfydd Clark’s star-making turn as the unsaintly Maud. Consistently upending expectations, this thrilling one-of-a-kind is an almost religious experience. Michael Blyth SAT 5 SAT 5 SUN 6 SUN 6 TUE 8 20:45 VUE7 21:15 VUE5 12:45 VUE7 13:15 VUE5 20:40 NFT2 BRITISH

‘It’s nearly impossible to verbalise how amazing the live experience is’ Hu�ngton Post

Fri 4 – Sat 5 Oct Fri 18 Oct Sat 19 Oct SKYFALL SETTLING THE SCORE BAAHUBALI - IN CONCERT DAVID ARNOLD vs THE BEGINNING LIVE World Premiere MICHAEL GIACCHINO World Premiere

/RoyalAlbertHall Call: 020 7589 8212 @RoyalAlbertHall royalalberthall.com/�lms #RoyalAlbertHall FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION

THE SUTHERLAND AWARD RECOGNISES THE MOST ORIGINAL AND IMAGINATIVE DIRECTORIAL DEBUT FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION

FRI 4 SAT 5 MON 7 SUN 6 TUE 8 SAT 12 18:00 VUE7 20:40 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 12:10 NFT1 20:30 SOHO 12:45 TCR 17:50 VUE4 ATLANTICS BABYTEETH ATLANTIQUE Dir Mati Diop. Director and actor Mati Diop (35 Shots of Rum) delivers Dir Shannon Murphy. This feverish Australian drama about falling in love Prod a hypnotic, genre-shifting portrait of a girl’s awakening. Prod Alex White. for the first time features a super performance Judith Lou Lévy, Scr Rita Kalnejais. Eve Robin. Ada and Souleiman are in love. But Souleiman is tired of With Eliza Scanlen, by Sharp Objects breakout star Eliza Scanlen. Scr Mati Diop, labouring without pay on the gleaming towers of Dakar. Essie Davis, What to do when your seriously ill teenage daughter Olivier Demangel. He sets out across the sea with friends, leaving Ada to Ben Mendelsohn. falls madly in love with a young drug dealer? This is With Mama Sané, Australia 2019. Amadou Mbow, face impending marriage to another man. But as the women 118min. the dilemma that Henry (Ben Mendelsohn) and Ibrahima Traoré. gather in the bar where the men used to drink, it seems Sales Anna (Essie Davis) face when their beloved Milla France-Senegal- that something has returned after all. Employing mystical Celluloid Dreams (Eliza Scanlen) meets the dodgy-but-charming Toby Belgium 2019. 107min. symbolism and an evocative synth score by Fatima Al (Toby Wallace). On paper, this is a premise for a sickly- EST. Qadiri, the film flows from social drama into supernatural sweet YA drama, but in director Shannon Murphy’s UK Distribution waters and makes lyrical use of the figure of the djinn to hands this debut gorgeously walks a fine line between Netflix process a harrowing reality. Mati Diop, known to many provocative adult drama and sweet teen romance. for her acting collaborations with Claire Denis, follows The nature of Milla’s illness is not discussed, it’s the a string of fascinating short films with this bold feature unnatural state of being young and diseased that’s the debut that not only poses, but answers, the question: central point that challenges and ultimately unites the to whom does the future belong? Kate Taylor family. Some of Australia’s finest screen talent shine in a film that has both the feverishness of first love and the visceral intensity of impending grief. Anna Bogutskaya

35 FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION FIRST FEATURE

MON 7 TUE 8 SUN 13 TUE 8 WED 9 SUN 13 20:45 MAYFAIR 13:00 NFT3 15:30 TCR BRITISH 18:00 VUE5 BSL 12:30 TCR 17:45 VUE4 CALM WITH HORSES HOUSE OF HUMMINGBIRD BEOL-SAE Dir Nick Rowland. Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth) gives a visceral Dir-Scr Bora Kim. Announcing a bright new voice in South Korean cinema, Prod performance as the hired muscle for a crime family Prod Zoe Sua Cho, Bora Kim brings us this absorbing coming-of-age Daniel Emmerson. Bora Kim. Scr Joe Murtagh. in rural Ireland. With Ji-hu Park, drama about a dysfunctional Seoul family circa 1994. With Cosmo Jarvis, Bulky, witty and loyal, Douglas (Jarvis) has his limits with Sae-byuk Kim, With regular beatings from her brother, the evasions of Barry Keoghan, violence, but the local family business he works for has Seung-yeon Lee. a feckless boyfriend and a blossoming friendship with Ned Dennehy. South Korea-USA 2018. UK-Ireland 2019. some nasty ideas about justice and he needs money 138min. a new teacher, teenage Eunhee certainly has a lot on 95min. to support his ex and their child. A manipulative mate EST. her mind. And with her parents always working late or UK Distribution and heir to the crime throne (Barry Keoghan) keeps Sales fighting, it’s starting to feel like she’s invisible. But as Altitude Film Contents Panda Entertainment shovelling coke up Douglas’ nose. And there’s a psycho Eunhee navigates the first flushes and disappointments of in their midst, in the form of the ever-menacing, red-eyed adolescence, she begins to develop her own philosophy Paudi (Ned Dennehy). As Douglas becomes embroiled towards life. Though Eunhee’s circumstances are often in a violent pageant of retribution, the time soon comes bleak, writer-director Bora Kim brings both humour and to choose sides. NFTS graduate Nick Rowland’s elegance to her autobiographical debut, capturing the feature debut is a gripping thriller that builds towards tiny moments when perceptions shift in a young person’s an emotionally shattering finale. And Jarvis enters the life. It’s a richly textured depiction of South Korea – contemporary canon (alongside the likes of Tom Hardy, encompassing events and attitudes ranging from the Matthias Schoenaerts and Calm with Horses exec- collapse of Seongsu Bridge to society’s relationship producer Michael Fassbender) of actors playing men with violence – all experienced through Eunhee’s wise whose bruised, quiet exteriors belie great inner depths. young eyes. Kate Taylor Kate Taylor

SAT 5 SUN 6 SAT 12 FRI 4 SAT 5 FRI 11 18:15 SOHO BSL 12:50 VUE6 20:45 VUE4 18:00 MAYFAIR 15:15 TCR 20:30 NFT2 INSTINCT THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO

Dir Halina Reijn. Carice van Houten flirts with danger in this confrontational Dir Joe Talbot. Director Joe Talbot and writer-performer Jimmie Fails Prod Frans van Gestel, interrogation of desire and consent. Prod Khaliah Neal, create a gorgeous, inventive meditation on art, Laurette Schillings, Joe Talbot, Arnold Heslenfeld. Respected clinical psychologist Nicoline is at the top Dede Gardner, architecture, black culture and gentrification in Scr Esther Gerritsen, of her game. Promptly after starting a new job at a Jeremy Kleiner, California’s Bay Area. Halina Reijn. penal institution, she commences sessions with Idris, Christina Oh. Jimmie (Jimmie Fails) dreams of reclaiming the beautiful With Scr Joe Talbot, Carice van Houten, an inmate found guilty of multiple violent sex crimes. Rob Richert, late 19th century home his grandfather built in the Marwan Kenzari. While her colleagues are confident that the disarmingly Jimmie Fails. heart of the city, before harder times and changing Netherlands 2019. alluring convict is well on the road to rehabilitation, With Jimmie Fails, demographics forced his family out. He and best friend 98min. Jonathan Majors, EST. Nicoline remains unconvinced, passionately advocating Rob Morgan. Mont (Jonathan Majors) scheme to make this happen Sales that Idris be denied release. As the simmering tensions USA 2019. while Jimmie annoys the sitting tenants with guerrilla Films Boutique between the pair steadily escalate, Nicoline finds herself 120min. gardening on the beloved Fillmore house. A skateboarder overpoweringly drawn to her subject, and soon the UK Distribution and dreamy, suit-wearing playwright, the pair are at Universal Pictures boundaries between doctor and patient begin to blur. International odds with the tough guys around the neighbourhood, Shot with cool, probing precision, director Halina Reijn’s and spend their time working to deliver Jimmie’s dream stimulating examination of power and abuse features an while living with Mont’s grandfather (Danny Glover). impressively nuanced central performance from Carice Occasionally, a film comes around that thrillingly invents van Houten. A film of bold intricacy that’s unafraid to pose its own cinematic rhythms, perfectly suited to its subject. challenging questions and venture into uncomfortable The Last Black Man in San Francisco is such a film and it’s territory. Michael Blyth one to make your head sing and heart soar. Tricia Tuttle

36 See something different player.bfi.org.uk FRI 4 SUN 6 FRI 11 FRI 11 SAT 12 SUN 13 21:00 SOHO 15:15 VUE6 20:50 VUE4 BRITISH 18:30 VUE5 BSL 20:40 ICA 12:20 CINÉ LUMIÈRE MAKE UP RELATIVITY MEIN ENDE. DEIN ANFANG Dir-Scr Claire Oakley. The debut feature from acclaimed short filmmaker Dir Mariko Minoguchi. In her ambitious debut, Mariko Minoguchi shifts Prod Emily Morgan. Claire Oakley is a riveting psycho-sexual drama Prod Trini Goetze, seamlessly between déjà vu psychodrama, romantic With Molly Windsor, David Armati Lechner. Joseph Quinn, Stefanie in which nothing is quite what it seems. Scr Mariko Minoguchi. weepie and punchy thriller, constantly playing with Martini. Teenager Ruth (Molly Windsor) travels to a seaside With the notion of destiny versus chance. UK 2019. holiday park to stay with her boyfriend Tom. It’s off- Saskia Rosendahl, It’s love at first sight when Nora and Aaron first meet 86min. Edin Hasanovic, Prod Co Quiddity Films season, so the resort is mostly deserted, except for Julius Feldmeier. on a rainy day in an underground station. While she is a few residents and a handful of staff charged with Germany 2019. a dreamer who believes in luck, he is convinced nothing sprucing up the place. Ruth gradually settles into her new 110min. happens by chance. Aaron’s fate is soon sealed, which EST. environment, finding work and making a new friend in Sales Global Screen changes Nora’s life in an instant. Her respite after this the form of make-up enthusiast Jade. But one afternoon, is Natan, a stranger who saves Nora’s life twice as she while giving Tom’s caravan a spring clean, Ruth finds wanders aimlessly through the night – the only way evidence her beau might be cheating on her. As her she can numb her pain. Though Nora seeks Natan’s desire to uncover the truth turns into an obsession, closeness, she can’t figure out what it is that connects she begins to realise she might be looking for something them. Saskia Rosendahl (Lore, LFF 2012) gives a else entirely. Transforming her remote coastal setting powerful performance, while debut director Minoguchi into an intangible labyrinth of creeping intrigue, Claire creates a romantic narrative of ambitious proportions, Oakley inventively flirts with genre conventions to weave effortlessly looping between the present and past, all a singular tale of self-acceptance and sexual awakening. the while making clever use of cinema as an unfurling Michael Blyth emotional landscape. Juliane Grieb

WED 9 THU 10 SAT 12 18:30 SOHO BSL 13:00 ICA 18:45 PCC SCALES

Dir-Scr The story of a fishing village in thrall to mysterious Shahad Ameen. sea creatures makes for a spellbinding feature Prod R Paul Miller, Stephen Strachan, debut from Shahad Ameen. Rula Nasser. Likely to become known as the Saudi mermaid movie, With Ashraf Barhoum, Scales achieves far more than this description whilst Basima Hajjar, Yagoub AlFarhan. laying claim to being the most unlikely drama you’ll Saudi Arabia-United see this year. Shahad Ameen’s directorial debut is Arab Emirates-Iraq a visually resplendent tale set in a small Gulf fishing 2019. 75min. village. Its population live in thrall to the otherworldly EST. creatures they believe reside in the sea. So much so Prod Co Image Nation that to keep them pacified, the village has traditionally Abu Dhabi sacrificed its female children to the creatures. But the drama really begins when one of those girls, Hayat (which means ‘life’ in Arabic), rejects her fate and fights against the patriarchal hegemony. It is a measure of the film’s quality that what follows both stands on its own merits as a fantastic tale, while also allowing for bountiful metaphorical interpretations on the standing of women in Arab society. Ali Jaafar

37 THE ROYAL OPERA DON GIOVANNI WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART LIVE TUE 8 OCT 2019, 6.45PM

THE ROYAL OPERA DON PASQUALE GAETANO DONIZETTI LIVE THU 24 OCT 2019, 7.30PM

THE ROYAL BALLET CONCERTO /ENIGMA VARIATIONS /RAYMONDA ACT III KENNETH MACMILLAN | FREDERICK ASHTON RUDOLF NUREYEV AFTER MARIUS PETIPA

LIVE TUE 5 NOV 2019, 7.15PM

THE ROYAL BALLET COPPÉLIA NINETTE DE VALOIS AFTER LEV IVANOV AND ENRICO CECCHETTI LIVE TUE 10 DEC 2019, 7.15PM

SPECIAL SCREENING THE NUTCRACKER (RECORDED 2016) PETER WRIGHT AFTER LEV IVANOV All live cinema screenings are classiﬁed 12A by the BBFC. SCREENING TUE 17 DEC 2019, 7.15PM ©Photography by Giles Revell, Art Direction by Atomic London

YOU’RE NEVER FAR FROM A PERFORMANCE AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Tickets now on sale for all screenings roh.org.uk/cinema

BFI Cinema A4 ad 19_20 v6.indd 1 29/07/2019 11:18 DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

THE ROYAL OPERA DON GIOVANNI THE GRIERSON AWARD RECOGNISES FILMS WITH INTEGRITY, ORIGINALITY, WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART LIVE TUE 8 OCT 2019, 6.45PM AND SOCIAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

THE ROYAL OPERA

DON PASQUALE DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION GAETANO DONIZETTI LIVE THU 24 OCT 2019, 7.30PM

THE ROYAL BALLET CONCERTO /ENIGMA VARIATIONS /RAYMONDA ACT III KENNETH MACMILLAN | FREDERICK ASHTON RUDOLF NUREYEV AFTER MARIUS PETIPA

LIVE TUE 5 NOV 2019, 7.15PM

THE ROYAL BALLET FRI 4 SAT 5 SAT 5 SUN 6 COPPÉLIA 18:00 SOHO 17:50 NFT2 DOC 18:30 VUE5 18:00 NFT2 DOC BRITISH NINETTE DE VALOIS AFTER LEV IVANOV AND ENRICO CECCHETTI COLD CASE HAMMARSKJÖLD COUP 53 LIVE TUE 10 DEC 2019, 7.15PM Dir-Scr Mads Brügger. This wild, stranger-than-fiction documentary depicts Dir Taghi Amirani. Award-winning director Taghi Amirani’s decade-long Prod Peter Engel. the most disturbing true-crime investigation you’re Scr Walter Murch, investigation into the 1953 CIA/MI6-led coup that With Göran Björkdahl, Taghi Amirani. SPECIAL SCREENING Mads Brügger. likely to have seen in recent years. Prod Paul Zaentz. overthrew Iran’s democratic Prime Minister Mohammad Denmark-Norway- ‘This could either be the world’s biggest murder mystery, UK-Iran-USA 2019. Mossadegh is a captivating tour-de-force. THE NUTCRACKER Sweden-Belgium 2019. or the world’s most idiotic conspiracy theory’. So begins 118min. August 1953 is a date Iranians remember well. ‘Operation (RECORDED 2016) 128min. Prod Co Sales Mads Brügger’s investigation, in which he attempts Amirani Media Ajax’, a coup orchestrated by British and American PETER WRIGHT AFTER LEV IVANOV DR International Sales to solve the mysterious death of Dag Hammarskjöld, intelligence services, marked the end of a democratically All live cinema screenings are classiﬁed 12A by the BBFC. SCREENING TUE 17 DEC 2019, 7.15PM ©Photography by Giles Revell, Art Direction by Atomic London who served as the second Secretary General of the elected government, reinstated the Shah and most United Nations. In 1961, while attempting to negotiate crucially ended Mossadegh’s most significant policy: a ceasefire in the Congo, his plane crashed in Zambia, the nationalisation of Iranian oil. What began as an killing all on board. The reason for the crash is a mystery. interrogation into the mystery that still surrounds the affair, A number of conspiracy theories exist, particularly as develops into a taut thriller, exposing rigorous secrecy Hammarskjöld was outspoken in his opposition to and underlining the ongoing ramifications of this pivotal YOU’RE NEVER FAR FROM A PERFORMANCE colonialism and appeared on the black list of many political episode. They say the truth is wilder than fiction powerful mining companies. But Brügger’s revelations and this film reveals aspects of an actual incident that about this period go far beyond an unsolved murder were determinedly buried. Working with legendary editor AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE and the film’s chilling finale will leave you gobsmacked. Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The English Patient), Laure Bonville Amirani’s compelling documentary ensures that this is Tickets now on sale for all screenings one history lesson that you won’t forget. Elhum Shakerifar roh.org.uk/cinema 39

BFI Cinema A4 ad 19_20 v6.indd 1 29/07/2019 11:18 DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION DOCUMENTARY

THU 10 FRI 11 THU 10 FRI 11 18:15 TCR 12:30 NFT3 3D DOC 20:50 EMPIRE 21:00 VUE6 DOC BRITISH CUNNINGHAM I AM (NOT) A MONSTER

Dir Alla Kovgan. This eye-popping 3D portrait of great American Dir Nelly Ben Hayoun- In this thought-provoking and playful documentary, Prod Helge Albers, choreographer Merce Cunningham celebrates Stépanian. ebullient director Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian Illann Girard, Prod Monika Baran, Alla Kovgan, the centenary of his birth. Chloe McClellan, (Disaster Playground) takes you on a journey to Elizabeth Delude-Dix, Considered one of the most influential choreographers Christopher Hird, find the origins of knowledge. Derrick Tseng, of the 20th century, Cunningham is acclaimed for Nelly Ben Hayoun- Starting with the thoughts of political theorist Hannah Kelly Gilpatrick. Stépanian. Germany-France-USA pushing the boundaries of dance, influencing the visual With Noam Chomsky, Arendt, Ben Hayoun-Stépanian (founder of the University 2019. arts, film and music over the course of his seven- Nadezhda of the Underground) travels the world to meet a variety 93min. decade career. This exquisitely crafted and artistically Tolokonnikova, of people and organisations including Magid Magid, UK Distribution Magid Magid. Dogwoof ambitious documentary explores his creative process, UK 2019. Lord Mayor of Sheffield at the time, Pussy Riot activist focusing on the period between 1942 and 1972, from 98min. Nadya Tolokonnikova, philosophers, alternative schools struggling dancer to acclaimed choreographer, and Prod Co and many more. She ponders on the ownership and his collaborations with composer and life partner John Nelly Ben Hayoun plurality of our thoughts, and the means by which Studios Ltd Cage and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg. Excerpts of freedom of learning and innovative education can exist Merce’s shows, rehearsals, interviews and his diagraphs in contemporary times. The result is a joyful potpourri and drawings are deftly interwoven with mesmerising of ideas and alternative thinking, propelled by a thrilling new performances from the last generation of dancers to soundtrack of Ethiopian hip hop. Asserting that the need have worked with him. Split screens, superimpositions for change has never been more urgent, I Am (Not) a and glorious 3D enhance this immersive and breathtaking Monster is an ambitious yet accessible activist outcry: cinematic experience, compellingly retracing the creative ‘knowledge is power’. Laure Bonville journey of this bold and visionary artist. Laure Bonville

MON 7 WED 9 FRI 4 SAT 5 17:45 SOHO 20:40 ICA DOC 20:45 MAYFAIR 12:45 SOHO DOC THE KINGMAKER MYSTIFY: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE

Dir Lauren Greenfield. The matriarch of the Marcos dynasty hopes to see her Dir-Scr Capturing his rise to super-stardom and subsequent Prod Frank Evers, maternal delusions validated and political power Richard Lowenstein. tragic fall, Mystify gives remarkable insight into INXS Lauren Greenfield. Prod Maya Gnyp, USA 2019. restored, while Philippine activists fight for transparency John Battsek, lead singer Michael Hutchence and a truth he took 100min. and democracy. Sue Murray, to the grave. UK Distribution Having spent her years as the First Lady of the Philippines Mark Fennessy, Taste, smell, touch… Michael Hutchence had a love Dogwoof Richard Lowenstein, on a heady monopolistic rampage, buying up European Lynne-Maree Milburn, of all things sensual. He was a pleasure-seeking ball of jewellery shops and iconic New York skyscrapers, Andrew De Groot. insatiable curiosity, on an odyssey for new sensations. Imelda Marcos is looking for a way to regain control. Australia 2018. A tapestry of voices and home-movies animate 102min. Her former peers, including the widows of governmental UK Distribution Hutchence’s personality, revealing a surprising story figures, tell the story of a woman scarred by an emotional Dogwoof with profound pathos. Charismatic and ambitious, the blow that transformed her into the bulletproof-bra- lead singer of INXS was seeking a family as much as wearing megalomaniac, who now mythologises her he sought success as an artist. Testimonies from the mothering instincts. Female journalists and activists share significant loves of his life, including Kylie Minogue and their horrific experiences of torture under the martial law Helena Christensen, create an intimate portrait of the man that the Marcos’ initiated, as Imelda was busy displacing behind the sex god status – a label that simultaneously an entire island of people to have her own African zoo. fuelled his popularity and plagued him. Hutchence had This rare focus on the female experience in dictatorships explosive magnetism, but also many secrets. Kicking explores the complexity of contemporary Philippine tabloid speculation into oblivion, his story emerges here politics and the sinister future it faces. Sophie Brown with emotional and revelatory depth. Sophie Brown

40 #LFF THU 10 SAT 12 THU 3 FRI 4 18:15 ICA 15:30 NFT2 DOC 18:15 ICA 18:10 NFT2 DOC OVERSEAS A PLEASURE, COMRADES! PRAZER, CAMARADAS! Dir-Scr Sung-A Yoon. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Filipino women Dir-Scr The lingering illiteracy, patriarchal power relations and Prod Isabelle Truc, train to become domestic workers abroad. This quietly José Filipe Costa. sexual taboos of post-dictatorship Portugal are laid Quentin Laurent. Prod Filipa Reis, Belgium-France 2019. gripping and often startling documentary shows us how. João Miller Guerra. bare in this humorous and sex-positive docudrama 90min. ‘Never cry in front of your employer. It shows weakness’, With Eduarda Rosa, with a feminist soul. Sales CAT&Docs advises a teacher following a role-playing exercise in João Azevedo, 1975, rural Portugal. In the wake of the Carnation Mick Greer. which an employer is verbally abusive. Learning to Portugal 2019. Revolution, the country and its people are re-organising serve at a table, cleaning or caring for a baby, as well 105min. themselves in a collective effort that sparks the interest as reacting to various staged scenarios, are part of the Prod Co of foreigners and expats who share the ideals of the Uma Pedra no Sapato training for women intending to take on domestic roles revolution. They volunteer at the recently formed co-ops, abroad. Through her watchful and empathetic gaze, offering literacy, health and sex education. Drawing from director Sung-A Yoon reveals the personal stories, the testimonies of those who lived it, A Pleasure, Comrades! dreams and heartaches of these trainees, while the travels in time to give centre stage to an older generation role-playing takes on both tragi-comic and cathartic that bravely and joyfully re-enacts the social and sexual dimensions, as the women brace themselves for the interactions and discussions of a time when women were potentially tough times ahead. Filmed in beautiful static still embarrassed to be naked in front of their husbands. shots, this astute and richly layered observational Eight years after his previous feature Red Line, José Filipe documentary exposes the economic and familial Costa surprises with a comical and charming delight of pressures pushing Filipino women to accept jobs abroad, storytelling inventiveness. Long live the proletariat, long some of which resemble modern-day slavery. live the sexual revolution! Ana David Laure Bonville

SAT 5 SUN 6 20:50 SOHO 18:15 PCC DOC BRITISH WHITE RIOT

Dir Rubika Shah. Revolution rock! Rubika Shah’s vital documentary Scr Ed Gibbs, profiles punky reggae protest movement Rock Against Rubika Shah. Prod Ed Gibbs. Racism, from grassroots beginnings through to With Red Saunders, a major multicultural event. Roger Huddle, Expanding her 2017 short, Rubika Shah’s energising film Kate Webb. UK 2019. charts a vital London protest movement. Rock Against 80min. Racism (RAR) was formed in 1976, prompted by ‘music’s Sales Visit Films biggest colonialist’ Eric Clapton and his support of racist MP Enoch Powell. White Riot blends fresh interviews with queasy archive footage to recreate a hostile environment of anti-immigrant hysteria and National Front marches. As neo-Nazis recruited the nation’s youth, RAR’s multicultural punk and reggae gigs provided rallying points for resistance. As founder Red Saunders explains: ‘We peeled away the Union Jack to reveal the swastika’. The campaign grew from Hoxton fanzine roots to 1978’s huge antifascist carnival in Victoria Park, featuring X-Ray Spex, Steel Pulse and of course The Clash, whose rock star charisma and gale-force conviction took RAR’s message to the masses. Manish Agarwal

41 SHORT FILM COMPETITION THANKS TO THE SHORT FILM AWARD RECOGNISES SHORT-FORM WORKS WITH A UNIQUE CINEMATIC VOICE NATIONAL LOTTERY PLAYERS, AND A CONFIDENT HANDLING OF CHOSEN THEME AND CONTENT. THE BFI NURTURES SOME OF THE MOST ORIGINAL

(LISTED IN SCREENING ORDER) Total running time 79min SAT 12 SHORT FILM COMPETITION PROG 1 13:00 EMPIRE NEW VOICES ON SCREEN

IF YOU KNEW WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WATER AND THE MOON WHITE GIRL Dir Nadia Latif. UK 2019. 13min Dir Stroma Cairns. UK 2018. 5min Dir Jian Luo. China 2019. 16min Beth is seemingly lost. As she wanders around A lyrical 16mm portrait of a pair of hearing-impaired During an abortion, 17-year-old Yang gives birth seeking help from strangers, things take teenage twins. to a live jellyﬁsh in her bathroom. a darker turn.

FAULT LINE GOSAL GUO4 IN VITRO Dir Larissa Sansour, Soren Lind. Dir Soheil Amirsharifi. Iran 2018. 15min Dir Peter Strickland. Hungary-UK 2019. 3min UK-Palestine-Denmark 2019. 28min Nahal is an Iranian schoolgirl who must create a new Two men. One locker room. A lot of D. From the Decades after an eco-disaster in Bethlehem two version of the truth for self-preservation. director of In Fabric. scientists discuss memory, exile and nostalgia. Congratulations to the following films in selection at LFF 2019

COLD CASE LOSING PACE PERFECT 10 SAT 12 Dir. Naomi Soneye-Thomas Dir. Eva Riley SHORT FILM COMPETITION PROG 2 (LISTED IN SCREENING ORDER) Total running time 85min HAMMARSKJÖLD 15:30 EMPIRE Dir. Mads Brügger LYNN & LUCY RIALTO Dir. Peter Mackie Burns DAWN IN THE DARK Dir. Fyzal Boulifa Dir. Runyararo Mapfumo MAKE UP ROCKS Dir. Sarah Gavron DAD JOKE Dir. Claire Oakley Dir. David Abramsky MARTHA RUN Dir. Christopher Haydon Dir. Scott Graham ETERNAL BEAUTY ALGO-RHYTHM BETWEEN ENTRE Dir Ana Carolina Marinho, Bárbara IN BETWEEN NË MES Dir. Craig Roberts MONSOON SAINT MAUD Dir Manu Luksch. Austria-UK-Senegal 2019. 14min Santos. Brazil 2019. 15min Dir Samir Karahoda. Kosovo 2019. 14min Dir. Rose Glass A hip hop musical shot in Dakar, where Senegalese The desire between two women is both liberating In Kosovo there is a custom of fathers building Dir. Hong Khaou musicians debate internet privacy and democracy. and treacherous. identical houses for their sons. FANNY LYE DELIVER’D SOMETHING IN Dir. Thomas Clay OUR SISTER THE CLOSET Dir. Rosie Westhoff KEEP BREATHING Dir. Nosa Eke Dir. Mark Corden ORDINARY LOVE WHITE GIRL Dir. Lisa Barros D’Sa Dir. Nadia Latif LITTLE JOE & Glenn Leyburn Dir. Jessica Hausner

CHILD Dir Talia Zucker. USA-Australia 2019. 11min WATERMELON JUICE SUC DE SÍNDRIA QUEERING DI TEKNOLOJIK After the birth of her first child, a young woman Dir Irene Moray. Spain 2019. 22min Dir Timothy Smith. UK 2019. 9min #NationalLottery #BFIBacked struggles to find herself in the new role and connect Barbara and Pol are on holiday with friends in a Did we manage to dismantle the white supremacist to her new-born baby. remote house. Will they ever find intimacy? capitalist patriarchy? BFI.ORG.UK/FILMFUND

Rocks Dir. Sarah Gavron The nominated films can be found within the Festival’s 42 Both programmes contain nudity and scenes of a sexual nature. main programme strands or as full collections as detailed above.

Film Fund LFF Brochure Full Page Ad 2019-08 FINAL.indd 1 09/08/2019 17:35 SHORT FILM COMPETITION THANKS TO THE SHORT FILM AWARD RECOGNISES SHORT-FORM WORKS WITH A UNIQUE CINEMATIC VOICE NATIONAL LOTTERY PLAYERS, AND A CONFIDENT HANDLING OF CHOSEN THEME AND CONTENT. THE BFI NURTURES SOME OF THE MOST ORIGINAL NEW VOICES ON SCREEN

Congratulations to the following films in selection at LFF 2019

COLD CASE LOSING PACE PERFECT 10 HAMMARSKJÖLD Dir. Naomi Soneye-Thomas Dir. Eva Riley Dir. Mads Brügger LYNN & LUCY RIALTO Dir. Peter Mackie Burns DAWN IN THE DARK Dir. Fyzal Boulifa Dir. Runyararo Mapfumo MAKE UP ROCKS Dir. Sarah Gavron DAD JOKE Dir. Claire Oakley Dir. David Abramsky MARTHA RUN Dir. Christopher Haydon Dir. Scott Graham ETERNAL BEAUTY Dir. Craig Roberts MONSOON SAINT MAUD Dir. Hong Khaou Dir. Rose Glass FANNY LYE DELIVER’D SOMETHING IN Dir. Thomas Clay OUR SISTER THE CLOSET Dir. Rosie Westhoff KEEP BREATHING Dir. Nosa Eke Dir. Mark Corden ORDINARY LOVE WHITE GIRL Dir. Lisa Barros D’Sa Dir. Nadia Latif LITTLE JOE & Glenn Leyburn Dir. Jessica Hausner

#NationalLottery #BFIBacked BFI.ORG.UK/FILMFUND

Rocks Dir. Sarah Gavron

Film Fund LFF Brochure Full Page Ad 2019-08 FINAL.indd 1 09/08/2019 17:35 Malta. More than we could ever tell.

Malta’s rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty have long been a draw for travellers.

The sandstone bastion walls, baroque architecture and alleys with rustic cobbled charm have made the Maltese Archipelago popular with the film industry too. Malta, Gozo and Comino have found themselves at the heart of many blockbuster productions such as Game of Thrones, 13 Hours, Gladiator, Assassin’s Creed and World War Z. Now visitors can discover the islands’ silver screen heritage on a new Film Trail, taking you to sites featured in famous productions shot on the Maltese Islands.

MaltaUK.com/lm-trail/

MTA_BMI full page 297x210_V5.indd 1 26/07/2019 14:54 LOVE

Kate Taylor SAT 12 17:50 TCR as lovers of traditional Georgian dance, this is oneas lovers of traditional Georgian Directors’ films from of the most buzzed-about Fortnight at Cannes. independent Latin-American cinema, comes an assured Latin-American cinema, comes an assured independent and compassionate meditation on landscape and the human condition. From José Luis Torres Leiva, one of the true poets of Leiva, one of José Luis Torres From as well Name Set to delight fans of Call Me by Your ‘There is no sexuality in Georgian dance!’ So barks the ‘There Merab,stern flame-haired and macho dance teacher to a teenage boy determined to make it as lead dancer But that teacher is wrong; in the touring company. when new guy Irakli joins the class, Merab experiences not just some tough competition, but the stirrings of something else. Levan Akin’s second feature is second feature of something else. Levan Akin’s the beauty and both a gripping drama that captures energised stifling social values of Tbilisi. It also features a Robyn song!) (a momentous audition! choreography dancer from physical performance and an extraordinarily limits of an Levan Gelbakhiani. Set within the repressive marries this is a love story that anti-LGBTQ+ society, sexuality and self-expression ideas of cultural identity, with beauty and grace. Maria Delgado Ana (Amparo Noguera) and María (Julieta Figueroa) Noguera) and María (Julieta Figueroa) Ana (Amparo first seen have been a couple for two decades. They are almost as one. Ana is a senior with their heads together, nurse in a hospital, María a mathematics teacher. further but has refused María has terminal cancer, The couple leave their home for a cabin in treatment. storytelling – two tales María’s the countryside, where on reflections the viewer – offers that ‘come alive’ before and the power of narrative. Rooted in two love, desire performances of Bergmanesque intensity breathtaking and imbued with a sense of mystery that is maintained to the end, this is a film of rare beauty where the beauty where to the end, this is a film of rare the across resonate emotional lives of its protagonists canvas of post-Pinochet Chile. environmental broader SAT 12 13:10 VUE4 TUE 8 15:30 VUE5 José Luis Levan Akin.

Catalina Vergara. Vergara. Catalina

Amparo Noguera, Amparo

MON 7 MON 18:15 ICA MON 7 MON 20:30 EMPIRE AND THEN WE DANCED Dir-Scr Torres Leiva. Prod With Figueroa. Julieta Chile-Argentina- Germany 2019. 88min. EST. Prod Co Films Rojo Globo Dir-Scr Prod Mathilde Dedye, Daniela, Ketie Féret. Julien With Levan Gelbakhiani, Valishvili, Bachi Ana Javakishvili. Sweden-Georgia- France 2019. 106min. EST. Sales Films Totem EYES YOUR WILL COME AND SHALL HAVE DEATH TUS OJOS Y TENDRÁ LA MUERTE VENDRÁ

Laure Bonville Laure SUN 13 SUN 15:10 NFT2

SUPPORTED BY BY SUPPORTED a different era to re-evaluate his life in this resplendent his life in this resplendent era to re-evaluate a different -style speculative fiction. slice of Westworld Daniel Auteuil’s illustrator is given the chance to visit Daniel Auteuil’s to go back to a rainy day in 1975, to a little bistro in Lyon, in Lyon, to go back to a rainy day in 1975, to a little bistro love – his wife. His hope is when he first met his greatest the past he might change the present. that by replaying Filmed on gorgeous sets and featuring a superb cast, Nicolas Bedos (Mr & Mrs Adelman) delivers an director on love, ingenious and sophisticated drama that reflects memory and nostalgia. Victor (Auteuil) is a disillusioned 60-something who feels alienated by the modern technologies that his live without. can’t psychoanalyst wife (Fanny Ardant) out, he meets Antoine (Guillaume him When she throws service of a high-end re-enactment Canet), the creator that enables wealthy customers to live in the era of their hesitate for a second; he wants choice. Victor doesn’t SAT 12

20:30 CINÉ LUMIÈRE CINÉ 20:30 LOVE LOVE IS A COMPLEX AND LOVE MANY SPLENDOURED THING SWEET, PASSIONATE, TOUGH – TOUGH PASSIONATE, SWEET, François Kraus, Kraus, François

Daniel Auteuil, FRI 11 18:15 MAYFAIR LA BELLE ÉPOQUE Guillaume Canet, Canet, Guillaume Doria Tillier. France 2019. 115min. EST. UK Distribution UK Pathe Dir-Scr Dir-Scr Bedos. Nicolas Prod Pineau- Denis Valencienne. With LOVE

MON 7 TUE 8 TUE 8 WED 9 FRI 11 17:45 NFT3 20:50 VUE4 DOC 20:45 EMPIRE 15:30 NFT1 17:50 VUE4 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER END OF THE CENTURY FIN DE SIGLO Dir Beniamino Barrese. Iconic supermodel Benedetta Barzini is exasperated Dir-Scr Lucio Castro. A chance encounter reconnects two men in Prod Filippo Macelloni. by the camera lens and the world as we know it, Prod Lucio Castro, this heart-breaking lament on love, lust and With Josh Wood. Benedetta Barzini. but now her son wants to film her escape from it. With Juan Barberini, missed opportunities. Italy 2019. Barzini, the first Italian to be a Vogue cover model, Ramon Pujol, Whilst on holiday in Barcelona, Ocho spies a handsome 93min. has had enough. Tired of conforming to patriarchal Mía Maestro. local from the balcony of his Airbnb. As chance would EST. Argentina 2019. Sales expectations, the 75-year-old is planning to leave 84min. have it, the two men later lock eyes while sunning Autlook Filmsales everything, and everybody, behind. However, her son EST. themselves at the beach. Then, on their third fleeting Beniamino, who has been filming her since he was Sales Stray Dogs encounter, Ocho musters the courage to invite Javi a child, is reluctant to let her go. In lively archive TV up to his apartment. What might have been nothing debates, Barzini asserts that we live in a world based more than a brief hook-up instead turns into drinks and on male philosophy. Now her battle is against conversation, leading Javi to reveal that the two men Beniamino’s camera. A political activist since the 1970s, have in fact met before. And so begins a story spanning now an academic she encourages her students to two decades, during which the truths of their past question the images and representations that are fed to and hopes of their future slowly unravel. Enigmatically us. As her son continues to film, Barzini’s fury increases. unfolding in non-linear fashion, Lucio Castro’s beautifully The Disappearance of My Mother is a moving and assured debut transforms a sexy meet-cute into a intricate portrait of a complex relationship and philosophical meditation on desire, regret and the limitless a bittersweet separation. Sophie Brown possibilities of hope. Michael Blyth

MON 7 TUE 8 SUN 13 TUE 8 THU 10 18:10 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 15:00 VUE7 18:20 SOHO 18:30 TCR 15:30 ICA HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEART FÊTE DE FAMILLE Dir Cédric Kahn. Family relations unravel to wonderfully excruciating Dir-Scr Fleabag meets Hong Sangsoo in this funny and savage Prod Sylvie Pialat. comic and dramatic effect in this all-star ensemble Ga-young Jeong. film that stars its director, Ga-young Jeong, as a woman Scr Cédric Kahn, Prod Su-boon Ok. Fanny Burdino, piece from versatile French writer-director and here, With Ga-young Jeong, without boundaries. Samuel Doux. co-star, Cédric Kahn. Suck-hyeong Lee, In her previous film Hit the Night, Jeong played an With It’s one of the perennial standbys of French cinema – Tae-hwan Choi. unethical filmmaker pretending to research a film so she Catherine Deneuve, South Korea 2019. Emmanuelle Bercot, stories about families airing their dirty laundry at dynastic 70min. could seduce an actor she fancies. Now, in Heart, she Vincent Macaigne. get-togethers, often in idyllic country settings. In Happy EST. plays an asshole filmmaker who seeks out the married France 2019. Birthday, Cédric Kahn (Wild Life, Red Lights, Roberto Sales man she slept with, on the night of the birth of his first 101min. M-Line Distribution EST. Succo) offers his own spirited take on the premise. child, so she can ask his advice about an affair with Sales Elle Driver A sprawling clan is assembled to celebrate the birthday another married man. An audacious film, with excellent of matriarch Andréa (Catherine Deneuve). However, no scenes of people sat on sofas having increasingly one has reckoned with the shenanigans of wayward drunken conversations, the script excels at deadpan filmmaker son Romain (Vincent Macaigne), or with staccato dialogue, as Jeong’s character spars with the the sudden appearance of prodigal daughter Claire art teacher who’s both bewildered by and attracted (Emmanuelle Bercot), trailing a cargo of psychological to her. Heart will induce some of the most pleasurable baggage that’s about to be messily unpacked. Comic, squirms you’ll have in the cinema this year: ‘Can I think caustic and touching a deep dramatic nerve, this is a of him while we do it?’ Kate Taylor magnificently controlled, exuberantly acted character piece, with director Kahn also mightily impressive as long-suffering older son Vincent. Jonathan Romney

46 SUPPORTED BY WED 9 FRI 11 THU 10 FRI 11 18:30 TCR 18:15 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 20:45 MAYFAIR 12:45 VUE4 DOC BRITISH LARA LOST LIVES

Dir Jan-Ole Gerster. Corinna Harfouch delivers a magnetic performance Dir-Prod This poignant testament to the physical and emotional Prod Marcos Kantis. in this intimate and multifaceted examination Dermot Lavery, cost of war, centres on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Scr Blaz Kutin. Michael Hewitt. With Tom Schilling, of regret, family relations and the power of other With Bríd Brennan, Based on the book Lost Lives, which records every single Corinna Harfouch, people’s approval. Liam Neeson, death and its circumstances since the beginning of the Volkmar Kleinert. Lara’s (Corinna Harfouch) 60th birthday coincides with Stephen Rea. modern conflict, this heartfelt documentary is a cinematic Germany 2019. UK 2019. 98min. her son Viktor´s highly anticipated piano concert, during 93min. homage to the victims, from all sides. Powerfully narrated EST. which he will perform his first composition. Throughout Prod Co by famous Irish and Northern Irish actors, including Sales the day, we learn that Lara gave up her own dream of DoubleBand Films Kenneth Branagh, Brendan Gleeson, Roma Downey, Beta Cinema GmbH becoming a pianist long ago, choosing instead to nurture Liam Neeson, Bríd Brennan and Stephen Rea, the film her son’s musical talent with a mix of obsession and weaves archive footage with recordings of family and humiliation. Today, she faces his success with pride, friends responding to the devastating news of the death jealousy and resentment. Retired from a soul-destroying of loved ones. A score performed by the Ulster Orchestra office job, she has become a bitter and cynical woman, and striking cinematography complete this elegiac piece. whose own perfectionism has gradually isolated her The last entry in the book is Lyra McKee – an essential from people, even her son. Jan-Ole Gerster’s (Oh Boy) reminder that peace can be a fragile process. Laure Bonville intimate portrait of a complex mother-son relationship balances melancholy and humour as it contemplates how the approval of others affects us, along with the consequences of it being given or withheld. Juliane Grieb LOVE

WED 9 FRI 11 THU 3 FRI 4 THU 10 18:15 ICA 13:00 PCC 20:50 MAYFAIR 20:30 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 18:00 EMPIRE MATERNAL MATTHIAS & MAXIME

Dir-Scr Maura Delpero. The notions of motherhood and the maternal care of Dir-Scr Xavier Dolan. A kiss between two childhood friends has dramatic Prod a young girl are the focus of this powerful and poignant Prod Nancy Grant, repercussions in the eighth film from Xavier Dolan. Alessandro Amato, Xavier Dolan. Luigi Chimienti, drama, set in a women’s refuge in Argentina. With Gabriel D’Almeida Matthias (Gabriel D’Almeida Freitas) and Maxime (Dolan Nicolás Avruj. Lu is a disruptive, rebellious teenage mother. She lives Freitas, himself) have been friends since childhood. A few months With Lidiya Liberman, with her daughter Nina in a women’s refuge, or ‘hogar’, Xavier Dolan, before moving to Australia, Maxime spends the weekend Denise Carrizo, Pier-Luc Funk. Agustina Malale. run by a group of nuns in Buenos Aires. The arrival of Canada 2019. with his friends at a lakeside retreat. As the boisterous Italy-Argentina 2019. Paola, a sympathetic Italian nun who takes a shine to 119min. gang laugh, drink and bicker, their host reveals she needs 91min. Nina, coincides with Lu going missing. What ensues is a Sales WaZabi Films a pair of performers to kiss for her student film, promptly EST. Sales Charades sensitively realised and ultimately heartbreaking portrait roping in Matthias and Maxime for the job. But the brief of life in a refuge. With its collection of diverse occupants encounter causes a dramatic rift between the pair, forcing who run the gamut from tough to vulnerable and who them to question what they really want from each other. are invariably impoverished, as well as the predominantly As ever, Dolan proves himself a master visual craftsman, elderly nuns who support them, the hogar is depicted orchestrating ravishing set pieces which give voice to the with gritty verisimilitude. But there’s also genuine emotions his characters hold within. But what is most empathy here, aided in no small part by the quality of the striking here is the profound sense of intimacy and that performances. Understated and all too believable, this is aching sense of vulnerability that comes with accepting a striking feature debut from Maura Delpero. who you truly are. Michael Blyth Adrian Wootton

47 LOVE

TUE 8 WED 9 WED 9 FRI 11 SAT 12 18:30 MAYFAIR 13:00 PCC BRITISH 21:00 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 15:45 NFT1 15:45 VUE7 NOCTURNAL ON A MAGICAL NIGHT CHAMBRE 212 Dir Nathalie Biancheri. A teenage girl forms a mysterious relationship Dir-Scr Gallic auteur Christophe Honoré returns with this Prod with an older man in this atmospheric debut from Christophe Honoré. exquisitely melancholic delectation about a married Colin Michael Day, Prod Philippe Martin, Coco Marie Schneider. director Nathalie Biancheri. David Thion. couple who have fallen out of love. Scr Olivia Waring, 16-year-old schoolgirl Laurie lives alone with her single With After yet another bitter row, Maria (Chiara Mastroianni) Nathalie Biancheri. mother. Something of an outsider, the aspiring athlete Chiara Mastroianni, finds herself staying in a hotel overlooking the apartment With Cosmo Jarvis, Vincent Lacoste, Lauren Coe, struggles to connect with the other girls on her track Camille Cottin. she shares with husband Richard (Benjamin Biolay). Sadie Frost. team, distancing herself with a quietly combative France-Luxembourg- As she debates what to do next, the ghosts of past UK 2019. demeanour. But Laurie can’t deflect the attention of Belgium 2019. lovers begin to fill the room, forcing Maria to confront her 86min. 86min. Sales Pete, a handyman in his 30s performing some odd jobs EST. romantic triumphs and failures. Shot through with the Urban Distribution at her school. After a couple of curt interactions, Laurie Sales Charades director’s customary eroticism and wit, this gorgeous and International eventually agrees to hang out with her new admirer and often funny film returns to similar territory as break out almost immediately a connection is apparent. As they films Dans Paris (LFF 2006) and Les Chansons D’Amour. spend more time together, a unique bond grows, yet The same vivid evocation of Paris is found here, along Pete’s intentions remain ambiguous. Until one day the with a healthy preoccupation with beautiful people and truth emerges. Rife with simmering emotional tension, their love affairs. But a refreshing romantic pessimism Nathalie Biancheri’s beautifully controlled character study feels new, lending this apparently small-scale drama an boasts remarkably natural performances from Lauren unsentimental and perceptive insight and wisdom. Coe and Cosmo Jarvis, whose playful banter conceals Paul Ridd something more serious lurking beneath the surface. Michael Blyth

SAT 12 SUN 13 WED 9 THU 10 SAT 12 17:30 MAYFAIR 12:30 VUE7 HOH AD BRITISH 20:50 NFT1 15:30 VUE5 15:30 VUE4 BRITISH ORDINARY LOVE PINK WALL

Dir Lisa Barros D’Sa, Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville star in this intimate Dir-Scr Tom Cullen. Six scenes, six years: from first sparks to the dying Glenn Leyburn. and sensitively-handled drama about a couple dealing Prod Maggie Monteith, embers of a love affair, in this intense relationship Prod Brian J Falconer, Jamie Adams, David Holmes, with breast cancer. Richard Elis, study by British actor-turned-director Tom Cullen. Piers Tempest. As the Christmas decorations go up, we quickly get a Nigel Goldsack. Jenna (Tatiana Maslany) and Leon (Jay Duplass), Scr Owen McCafferty. sense of Joan and Tom’s bantering relationship; witty With Jay Duplass, US expats in the UK, hook up and fall madly in love. With Liam Neeson, Tatiana Maslany. Lesley Manville, and teasing, they’re a couple who can finish each other’s UK 2018. Careers, ambitions, insecurities and other people David Wilmot. sentences. When Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer, 85min. ultimately intervene and they break up. But this story UK 2019. Tom is there to support and we follow as they navigate UK Distribution isn’t told sequentially. Instead, we see six time-shuffled 92min. Pinpoint Pictures UK Distribution the mundane and frightening new world of exams, snapshots – moments of blissful connection or bitter Universal Pictures diagnoses, and waiting rooms. Lesley Manville and recrimination – that reveal the beautiful and brutal truths International Liam Neeson make vivid the subtle shifts of temperature behind any romance. Weekend (LFF 2011) star Cullen’s that define long-term intimacy, as two people dealing in debut feature is ambitious, extraordinarily accomplished very different ways with acute stress and the continuing and deeply affecting. Each scene has its own visual style, echoes of an earlier tragedy. With a sober approach that from grainy 4:3 Academy ratio intimacy to widescreen avoids any slips into sentimentality, directors Lisa Barros stasis, informing its dialogue and themes. Working from D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn capture both the extremity and a semi-improvised script, Maslany and Duplass are the everydayness of cancer, in this warm and deeply superb in what’s largely a two-hander. And though affecting drama. Kate Taylor Cullen’s influences include John Cassavetes and Mike Leigh, he’s already on his way to creating his own personal cinema. Leigh Singer

48 SUPPORTED BY SAT 5 MON 7 SUN 6 TUE 8 21:00 VUE6 15:45 VUE4 18:15 VUE6 15:45 TCR BRITISH PREMATURE REAL

Dir Rashaad Ernesto Budding writer Ayanna’s life is transformed over the Dir-Prod-Scr Aki Omoshaybi’s earnest debut explores the love Green. course of one hot Harlem summer, when a handsome Aki Omoshaybi. between two people who work hard to keep Prod Joy Gaynes, With Aki Omoshaybi, Rashaad Ernesto and mysterious stranger walks into her life. Pippa Bennett-Warner, their romance on track while struggling to manage Green, Temperatures are rising in Harlem as Ayanna (Zora Howard) Karen Bryson. personal hardship. Darren Dean. prepares to depart for a college writing programme. UK 2019. Omoshaybi’s deeply felt debut takes an honest look Scr Rashaad Ernesto 76min. Green, Then Isaiah appears on the scene. Echoing John UK Distribution at young couple Jamie (Pippa Bennett-Warner) and Zora Howard. Singleton’s Poetic Justice, Ayanna’s arresting poetry Verve Pictures Kyle (Omoshaybi), as they struggle to manage personal With Zora Howard, charts the rocky terrain of first love. If the couple find hardship at the start of their blossoming relationship. Joshua Boone. USA 2019. themselves tethered to the reality of urban life, at incisive Jamie leads the charge with quiet tenacity as a mother 89min. moments they manage to soar within the love-scape determined to create a stable environment for her young Sales of their own making. The tender narrative, co-written son. In tandem, Kyle puts the need to battle his own Film Constellation by Howard and director Rashaad Ernesto Green, shifts demons on hold and is willing to beg, steal or borrow between the naiveties, passions and fierce insights of to impress his new love. The growing intimacy between a young woman coming of age. The combination of a the pair is captured beautifully through Omoshaybi’s profound central performance and the film’s assured naturalistic lens, offering a slice of British life that, direction elevate Premature beyond a classic New York despite its challenges, manages to glow. Tega Okiti love story to something fresh and truly special. Tega Okiti LOVE

SUN 6 MON 7 SAT 12 SUN 13 17:40 NFT1 20:20 VUE6 12:15 SOHO 11:45 SOHO THE SKY IS PINK SO LONG, MY SON DÌ JIUˇ TIĀN CHÁNG Dir Shonali Bose. This family drama with a big heart stars Priyanka Chopra Dir Wang Xiaoshuai. ‘Sixth Generation’ director Wang Xiaoshuai offers Prod Jonas and Farhan Akhtar as parents who will stop Prod Liu Xuan. an absorbing family chronicle that unfolds modern Ronnie Screwvala, Scr Wang Xiaoshuai, Siddharth Roy Kapur. at nothing to save their sick daughter. Ah Mei. Chinese history with the rich insightfulness of a novel. Scr Shonali Bose, Director Shonali Bose (Margarita with a Straw, LFF With Wang Jingchun, Four decades of modern Chinese life are interwoven Nilesh Maniyar. 2014) returns to the Festival with this compelling and Yong Mei, Ai Liya. in this complex ensemble piece from Wang Xiaoshuai With Priyanka Chopra China 2019. Jonas, emotionally devastating true story about a young couple 180min. (Beijing Bicycle). Spanning the 1980s to the cosmopolitan Farhan Akhtar, who, after the death of their first daughter from a rare EST. present, it follows the interconnected fortunes of various Zaira Wasim. immunity defect, conceive another child only to discover UK Distribution Curzon characters around a couple, Liyun (Yong Mei) and India 2019. 135min. that she is similarly afflicted. The heartbroken parents give Yaojun (Wang Jingchun), and their son Liu Xing. In the EST. up their jobs and travel to London’s Great Ormond Street, early 80s, Liyun, a factory worker, becomes pregnant UK Distribution the only place that offers hope for their daughter. for the second time, falling foul of the national policy of RSVP The generosity of people’s donations fund the treatment one-child families. Zigzagging between decades, the film that saves young Aisha and the family eventually moves shows how political reality affects the fates of the family back home. Years pass and all seems well, but the family and the people around them, from factory officials of is not out of the woods. Bollywood superstars Priyanka the 1980s to the newly wealthy of the 21st century. Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar play the heroic parents, A moving and deeply involving drama of personal driven by despair and hope to fight for their family. and national destinies, this genuinely epic narrative is Cary Rajinder Sawhney executed with mesmerising control. Jonathan Romney

49 LOVE

FRI 11 FRI 11 SAT 12 18:10 SOHO BRITISH 20:50 SOHO 16:15 VUE5 TRIGONOMETRY TWO OF US DEUX EPISODES ONE Well ahead of broadcast, a special opportunity to be the Dir Filippo Meneghetti. The love between two older women is threatened and TWO first to see the initial two episodes of Athina Rachel Scr Filippo Meneghetti, by illness and secrecy in a moving French drama Malysone Bovorasmy, Dir Athina Rachel Tsangari’s eagerly awaited BBC series, Trigonometry, that features Barbara Sukowa at her very best. Tsangari. Florence Vignon. Exec Prod written by Duncan Macmillan and Effie Woods. Prod Pierre – Director Filippo Meneghetti makes a confident, intensely Tessa Ross, Ray (Ariane Labed) is an Olympian, a synchronised Emmanuel Fleurantin, moving feature debut with a superbly acted drama Laurent Baujard. Juliette Howell, swimmer who at 30 still lives at home. She’s spent little about love and the agony of separation. Retired women Duncan Macmillan, With Barbara Sukowa, Effie Woods, time doing anything but training, and when an accident Léa Drucker, Nina and Madeleine have loved each other for decades Tommy Bulfin. knocks her confidence, she becomes aware just how Martine Chevallier. and live together – albeit in adjoining flats, because Prod Imogen Cooper. France 2019. limiting her life choices look. Answering an ad for a lodger 96min. Madeleine, widowed after an unhappy marriage, has Scr Duncan Macmillan, by a cash-strapped couple, Gemma and Kieran (Thalissa never told her adult children the truth about her life. Effie Woods. Sales Doc & Film With Ariane Labed, Teixeira and Gary Carr), she moves in. The three immediately International When Madeleine falls ill, Nina finds herself alone, unable Thalissa Teixeira, clock an instant, electric attraction. It makes all of them to openly dedicate her time to her partner and excluded Gary Carr. very excited, but also very nervous. With a sharp script by the distrust of Madeleine’s daughter (Léa Drucker). UK 2019. 60min. from Macmillan and Woods, and an enchanting central Essentially a small-scale drama, this cannily crafted Prod Co trio of actors with wicked chemistry, Tsangari (Attenberg, drama features a superb performance from Martine House Productions Chevalier) immediately has you hooked. This delightful Chevallier and, without doubt, one of Barbara Sukowa’s London-set drama explores a romantic relationship finest. Proof that cinema can be intelligent and have you between three people… it’s love without a map, and reaching for the tissues. Jonathan Romney a whole lot of road blocks. Tricia Tuttle

WED 9 THU 10 TUE 8 WED 9 SAT 12 20:45 SOHO 20:40 VUE4 BRITISH 20:45 MAYFAIR 12:45 VUE4 20:45 NFT2 WALKING WITH SHADOWS WET SEASON

Dir-Scr Aoife O’Kelly. In coming to terms with his sexuality, Adrian is forced to Dir-Scr Anthony Chen. Anthony Chen follows his First Feature Award-winning Prod Funmi Iyanda, choose between a compromised existence and the life Prod Anthony Chen, Ilo Ilo (LFF 2013) with this hugely satisfying portrait of Olumide F Makanjuola, Tan Si En, Victoria Thomas, that he would like to lead. Huang Wenhong. a woman on a journey to rediscover herself. Xeenarh Mohammed. Ebele Njoko (Ozzy Agu) has been running all his life. With As Mandarin-language teacher Ling continues with With Ozzy Agu, A search for acceptance and love from his family has Yann Yann Yeo, fruitless IVF treatment while taking care of her ailing Zainab Balogun, Koh Jia Ler, Funlola Aofiyebi Raimi. led him to recreate himself as Adrian – respected father, Christopher Lee. father-in-law, she finds herself slowly drawn towards a UK-Nigeria 2019. husband and brother. When his mask is cruelly stripped Singapore-Taiwan promising student who seems to have been abandoned 90min. away, Adrian’s world rapidly unravels. Adapted from 2019. by his parents. Outside it’s monsoon season, but Ling’s Sales 103min. Rushlake Media GmbH Jude Dibia’s award-winning and critically acclaimed Sales inner turmoil looks set to get her into a heap of trouble. novel, Aoife O’Kelly’s articulate and sensitive film deftly EST. Director Anthony Chen brings this simmering Singapore- discards the sensational for a depiction of queer Nigeria Memento Films set drama to boiling point, whilst using an associative presented with care and incisive observation. The film International and poetic editing rhythm, repeating colours and shapes is anchored by heartfelt performances from Ozzy Agu to highlight the small parallels that link people, and reveal and Zainab Balogun as Ada, Adrian’s wife. Together, the profound in lovely and subtle ways. With uniformly they explore a painful rift in a loving bond. Adrian’s quiet sensitive performances from the returning cast of Ilo Ilo, resilience throughout underlines the necessity for one Chen’s Wet Season is the classy and well-measured to be self-loving, despite the cost. Tega Okiti teacher-student drama that will get you weeping this autumn. Kate Taylor

50 SUPPORTED BY …IN AN AGE OF CONSENT

The definition of consent is to give permission. Intimacy is defined by a consensual physicality evident in romantic love, sexual activity, a beautiful friendship and random intimate moments with passing strangers. That line of consent is interrogated in the films here, holding up a magnifying glass to every intimate moment from a misplaced hand to the power dynamics of a sexual situation to the re-contextualisation of a past narrative. Philip Ilson

KEEP BREATHING Dir Mark Corden. UK 2019. 19min KEEP BREATHING Trapped in a lift, a man and woman are forced to confront each other about the night they ﬁrst met.

SPRING FEVER Dir Anna Snowball. UK-Netherlands 2019. 9min. EST A refreshingly different and fun sex education class in the Netherlands. This is an anti-shame class.

DUCK DAZE Dir Alison Piper. UK 2019. 15min Johnina seeks revenge on her childhood abuser and the community that enabled him.

REHEARSAL Dir Courtney Thérond. USA 2019. 8min A ﬁlm crew pushes the boundaries of consent during a courtesy rehearsal for its female lead.

THE STROKER Dir Pilvi Takala. Finland-UK 2019. 15min ONLINE Nina touches people as part of a cutting-edge well-being programme at Second Home ofﬁce space. The nuances of movement demonstrate how people negotiate acceptable behaviour in the workspace.

WATERMELON JUICE SUC DE SÍNDRIA Dir Irene Moray. Spain 2019. 22min. EST Barbara and Pol are on holiday with friends in a remote house. They want to have a good time and to ﬁnd a peaceful space where they can enjoy their intimacy.

ONLINE VIRTUELLE Dir Léopold Kraus. France 2019. 22min Alice lives between reality and social media. One day, her ex-boyfriend puts one of their sex tapes online.

Total running time 110min

Content warning: This programme contains scenes of a sexual nature. WATERMELON JUICE

FRI 4 SUN 6 20:40 TCR 12:20 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 24 October — 3 November 2019 www.leaff.org.uk

LONDON EAST ASIA FILM FESTIVAL 2OI9 Bringing the best of East Asian culture and cinema to London for 11 days, opening at Odeon Leicester Square on Thursday 24th October!

@leafilmfest #LEAFF2019 DEBATE 53

DOC Laure Bonville Laure DOC SAT 5 ICA20:20 Citizen K is an urgent and topical account of a returns with a fascinating exploration of thereturns contemporary Russian political landscape and a portrait Mikhail Khodorkovsky. of oligarch Rules football star Adam Goodes that raises crucialRules football star Adam questions about casual racism. A thought-provoking documentary about the Australian documentary about the A thought-provoking Multiple award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney Multiple award-winning Laure Bonville Laure Mikhail Khodorkovsky is charismatic and mercurial. It’s It’s Mikhail Khodorkovsky is charismatic and mercurial. to see why Alex Gibney chose him as the not difficult focus of his new film. After thriving in Russia in the 1990s the oil industry, wealth from and amassing incredible Khodorkovsky became a nuisance to Vladimir Putin, who subsequently had him jailed in Siberia for ten years. Now a far-reaching living in exile in the UK, he orchestrates Gibney charts this story, anti-Putin campaign. Through years of the oligarchs the golden to power, Putin’s rise and an era of gangster capitalism, combining archive footage and interviews with various journalists and Khodorkovsky himself. Unfolding like a gripping political thriller, dominated by fake news and the rise of Russia’s culture alleged meddling in politics beyond its borders. Adam Goodes became an inspiring figure in Australian inspiring figure Adam Goodes became an Rules football. Raised by his single Aboriginal mother, sport.he found a sense of belonging and connection in of a In 2013, at the top of his game, he was the centre him an girl called when a 13-year-old huge racist row ‘ape’ in the middle of a game and he had her ejected a shocking backlash the stadium. What ensued was from star. of vilification and blunt racism against the football Australia’s Drawing upon Goodes’ personal story, of the Aboriginal dark colonial past and its treatment (George Best: All Daniel Gordon population, director by Himself, LFF 2016) has crafted a powerful and thattimely examination of race, identity and belonging pitch. far beyond the football resonates FRI 4 17:50 VUE6 SUN 13 SUN 15:15 VUE4

Alex Gibney.

Alex Gibney, Sarah Thompson, Thompson, Sarah Stan Grant. Daniel Gordon. THU 3 18:00 MAYFAIR SAT 12 SOHO 20:45 CITIZEN K CITIZEN K Dir-Scr Prod Battsek, John Van Sandwijk,PJ George Chignell, Erin Edeiken. USA-UK 2019. 128min. Sales Kew Media Group THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM Dir Prod Batzias, Nick Whitwell, Virginia Battsek. John Scr 2019. Australia 106min. DistributionUK Dogwoof

Geoff Andrew Geoff IN ASSOCIATION WITH IN ASSOCIATION

with a real-life case of multiple child abuse. with a real-life finest films yet, François Ozon deals very movingly In one of his (seemingly) most straightforward but In one of his (seemingly) most straightforward When Alexandre (Melvil Poupaud) learnsWhen Alexandre that the priest who assaulted him decades ago at a scouts’ camp still works with young people, he tells his family what happened and seeks out other victims so that the Church persuaded to speak will take action. Even as others are the Catholic establishment starts dragging out, however, events with a linear its feet. Meticulously chronicling to in order narrative that boldly switches protagonists experience society, aspects of French different explore a powerful, quietly polemical and attitude, Ozon creates both the enduring consequences of drama that reveals child abuse and the complacent complicity of the Church. Poupaud, performances – particularly from Terrific – Verley Bernard Ménochet and, as the ageing offender, Jury Grand won it the Berlinale’s and nuanced direction Prize. SUN 6 SUN LUMIÈRE CINÉ 15:00 ARGUE AND SURPRISE

DEBATE François Ozon. Eric Altmayer,

Melvil Poupaud, Poupaud, Melvil SAT 5 17:40 MAYFAIR RIVETING FILMS THAT AMPLIFY, SCRUTINISE, AMPLIFY, RIVETING FILMS THAT Curzon Denis Ménochet, Ménochet, Denis Arlaud. Swann France 2019. 137min. EST. DistributionUK Dir-Scr Prod Altmayer. Nicolas With GRÂCE À DIEU GRÂCE BY THE GRACE OF GOD BY DEBATE

WED 2 FRI 4 FRI 11 TUE 8 WED 9 18:00 VUE7 15:00 TCR 20:30 ICA 18:30 VUE7 20:45 NFT2 BRITISH CLEMENCY COUNTY LINES

Dir-Scr Alfre Woodard is quietly devastating as a weary Dir-Scr Henry Blake. Drawing on real-life cases, this is a controlled Chinonye Chukwu. prison warden presiding over her twelfth execution, Prod Victoria Bavister, and disquieting drama about a 14-year-old Prod David Broder. Bronwyn Cornelius, in this Sundance-winning death row drama. With Conrad Khan, London boy being used as a mule by nationwide drug Julian Cautherley, Chinonye Chukwu became the first black female Ashley Madekwe, traffickers. Peter Wong, filmmaker to win the top prize at Sundance Film Festival Harris Dickinson. The term ‘county lines’ describes the practice of using Timur Bekbosunov. UK 2019. With Alfre Woodard, with this unsentimental death row drama. Clemency 90min. children to traffic drugs from cities to coastal towns and Aldis Hodge, opens with experienced prison warden Bernadine Prod Co rural areas, an underreported fact of modern British life. Richard Schiff, Williams (Alfre Woodard) overseeing a lethal injection Two Birds Inspired by the stories he heard while mentoring kids Wendell Pierce. Entertainment USA 2018. that goes agonisingly wrong. Botching ‘the procedure’ at an East London pupil referral unit, writer-director 113min. heightens scrutiny over her next execution, of convicted Henry Blake’s powerful feature debut boasts a compelling Prod Co ACE Pictures cop killer Anthony Woods (Aldis Hodge) who maintains central performance by Conrad Khan as 14-year-old Entertainment his innocence. Woodard delivers a stunning performance Tyler, whose mum Toni (Ashley Madekwe) is struggling as methodical authority figure Bernadine, whose to provide for him and his sister. Excluded from school, necessary professionalism has made her emotionally Tyler becomes a train-bound narcotics courier for local unavailable to husband Jonathan (The Wire’s Wendell criminal Simon, played with a calm menace by Harris Pierce). No amount of after-work drinking will make the Dickinson (Beach Rats, LFF 2017). County Lines depicts nightmares stop. And she’s not alone; her exhaustion is the ensuing cycle of debt, deceit and violent exploitation mirrored by Woods’ dedicated lawyer Marty (The West with a quiet stylistic confidence that’s all the more haunting Wing’s Richard Schiff), in this precisely calibrated portrait for being so rigorously unsentimental. Manish Agarwal of capital punishment’s ethical corrosion. Manish Agarwal

THU 3 SAT 5 THU 3 FRI 4 SAT 5 18:10 VUE4 12:20 VUE4 20:50 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 12:30 TCR 13:00 PCC DESRANCES THE GIRL WITH A BRACELET LA FILLE AU BRACELET Dir-Scr Apolline Traoré. Civil war looms in Abidjan and relations begin to fray Dir-Scr Family relations and social expectations are compellingly Prod Denis Cougnaud. within a family in this tense and atmospheric thriller. Stéphane Demoustier. picked apart in this French courtroom drama about With Prod Jean des Forêts. Jimmy Jean-Louis, After the brutal massacre of his family in Haiti, Francis With Melissa Guers, a teenager caught in the spotlight of a murder case. Naomi Nemlin, Desrances resettles in the Ivory Coast. Years later Chiara Mastroianni, It begins as an ordinary family outing on the beach. Evelyne Ily. Francis, his wife Aissey and 12-year-old daughter Haila Anaïs Demoustier. Then things turn dark as 17-year-old Lise, from a wealthy Burkina Faso 2019. France-Belgium 2019. 105min. await the birth of a son, who to Francis’ excitement and 93min. middle-class family, comes under investigation following EST. Haila’s irritation is immediately regarded as the worthy EST. the death of her best friend. As her parents (Chiara Prod Co heir to the Desrances name. As the birth looms, civil Sales Charades Mastroianni, Roschdy Zem) deal with the trauma in Les Films Selmon war erupts in Abidjan and amidst the melee Aissey different ways, Lise is required to account for a way of goes missing. Haila courageously steps forward in ways life that doesn’t always fit the morality approved of by that challenge her father’s notion of what constitutes the justice system. This third feature by writer-director a rightful heir. Cementing her status as a bold voice in Stéphane Demoustier is a razor-sharp judicial drama with contemporary filmmaking, Apolline Traoré’s domestic echoes of Camus, Simenon and Henri-Georges Clouzot. drama escalates into an intense thriller that mounts a A superb cast includes Anaïs Demoustier, on top form as passionate challenge to commonly-held gender roles, an implacable prosecuting counsel. And as Lise, newcomer whilst also highlighting the human cost of civil strife. Melissa Guers offers a mesmerising performance Tega Okiti as the young woman whose very self is the mystery under investigation. Jonathan Romney

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Dir-Scr Terrence Malick returns with a call for grace in this Dir-Prod Pailin Wedel. Pailin Wedel’s award-winning documentary is an Terrence Malick. Second World War-set true story exploring the Scr Pailin Wedel, emotional chronicle of parents doing what they believe Prod Grant Hill, Nina Ijas. Dario Bergesio, importance of unsung resistance. With Nareerat is best for their child, no matter what the cost. Josh Jeter, Franz Jägerstätter and his wife Fani live in bucolic Alpine Naovaratpong, When two-year-old Einz Naovaratpong was diagnosed Elisabeth Bentley. Austria with their three children, committed to a deep Sahatorn with a terminal cancer, her parents explored every avenue With August Diehl, Naovaratpong, Valerie Pachner, abiding love of God and each other. When Franz is called Matrix Naovaratpong. to save her. Refusing to accept her death as the end, Matthias Schoenaerts. up to fight, he refuses to take an oath of allegiance to Thailand-USA 2019. they turn to cryonics to freeze their daughter’s brain in Germany-USA 2019. Hitler and as a result each has a price to pay. Men of 75min. the hope that she will one day live again. With remarkable 173min. Sales Totem Films UK Distribution army and church plead to Frank that his gesture will access and intimacy, Wedel follows the parents and their Fox Searchlight neither change things nor be remembered – that he surviving son on this extraordinary journey, objectively Pictures could always ‘think one thing and say another’. A Hidden presenting their challenges and dilemmas; as practising Life makes an urgent call to contemporary conscience, Buddhists who are also devotees of science, how to exhorting us to believe in its power, even in the face of reconcile these conflicting beliefs? Ethical, philosophical indifference. Yes, there is lush sensory filmmaking that and emotional questions abound. Can the dead come will give viewers an acute sensitivity to the world around back to life? And should they? This is human nature them, but most resonant is Malick’s broader philosophical in its purest form, as the parents are fighting for their tribute to those who ‘rest in unvisited tombs’. Kate Taylor child’s survival. Christine Bardsley DEBATE

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Dir Julius Onah. This gripping psychological thriller about subjectivity and Dir-Scr Fyzal Boulifa. A lifelong friendship is tested by tragedy in this Prod John Baker, code-switching in modern America marks Julius Onah Prod Camilla Bray. atmospheric and intense first feature from acclaimed Julius Onah, With Andrew Yang. (The Cloverfield Paradox) as one of cinema’s most Roxanne Scrimshaw, British shorts director Fyzal Boulifa. Scr J C Lee, thrilling emerging voices. Nichola Burley, Lynn (Roxanne Scrimshaw) and Lucy (Nichola Burley) Julius Onah. Luce (Kelvin Harrison Jr) is a former refugee, a child soldier Kacey Ainsworth. have been friends their whole lives; inseparable at school With Naomi Watts, UK 2019. Octavia Spencer, from a war-torn African country. Seemingly recovered 90min. and now living as neighbours and young mothers on an Kelvin Harrison Jr. from his childhood trauma, he now lives in his adoptive Sales Charades estate. But when a tragedy befalls the pair, a chain of USA 2019. country as the son of white liberal middle-class parents events is set in motion that will severely test their bond, 109min. UK Distribution (Tim Roth and Naomi Watts). His high school’s brightest bringing out fears and resentments in the local community. Universal Pictures hope – a fiercely intelligent debater and star athlete – This beautifully acted and haunting film, elegantly shot in International Luce seems destined to achieve great things. But after 4:3 academy ratio, manages the trick of transcending its he chooses Franz Fanon as an assignment to deliver kitchen sink aesthetic and slice-of-life scenario to deliver a paper in the voice of a historical figure, Luce’s English something akin to a modern morality play. Without easy teacher (Octavia Spencer) becomes suspicious that answers or resolutions, the film presents the thorniest something darker may lurk beneath his highly-controlled ‘what if?’ scenario, confronting us with a taut thriller exterior. Shot on crisp 35mm, with production design of bad choices, misunderstandings and escalating as restrained, precise and potent as the storytelling, social unrest. With his skilled debut, Boulifa joins the this is deeply satisfying filmmaking: disciplined, canny, ranks of British filmmakers Francis Lee, William Oldroyd provocative and complex, like Luce himself. Tricia Tuttle and Daniel Kokotajlo with his skilled transcendence of conventional British film genres and tropes. Paul Ridd

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Dir Rubaiyat Hossain. How do you learn to speak out when everyone expects Dir Pietro Marcello. An original, stylistically dazzling and ambitious Italian Prod you to be silent? In a Bangladeshi factory, a determined Prod Pietro Marcello, adaptation of Jack London’s autobiographical novel François d’Artemare, Beppe Caschetto, Ashique Mostafa. young woman discovers the possibilities of activism. Thomas Ordonneau, about a self-taught and outspoken working-class writer Scr Rubaiyat Hossain, In the busy metropolis of Dhaka, Shimu (Rikita Shimu) Michael Weber, who climbs the ranks of society. Philippe Barrière. supports her unemployed husband with a job as a Viola Fügen. Martin Eden is the kaleidoscopic, brilliantly rendered With Rikita Shimu, Scr Maurizio Braucci, Novera Rahman, seamstress in a garment factory. Shaken by the casual Pietro Marcello. account of one man’s spiritual, philosophical, artistic and Parvin Paru. lack of accountability management shows after a fire kills With Luca Marinelli, political journey through life and Italian society, as he Bangladesh-France- a colleague, Shimu connects with local feminist organiser Jessica Cressy, strives to discover his sense of identity. A tough sailor, Denmark-Portugal Vincenzo Nemolato. 2019. Apa, who informs her of her rights to unionise. Under the Italy-France- Martin’s chance introduction to the upper echelons of 90min. deafening din of hundreds of manually operated sewing Germany 2019. middle-class life and a meeting with a beautiful young EST. machines, a quiet revolution begins to build. Eschewing 129min. woman inspire him, against all odds, to teach himself Sales a celebratory female empowerment narrative, Rubaiyat EST. to become a writer. This bold adaptation of London’s Pyramide International Sales Hossain’s writing weighs patient acts of administration The Match Factory novel, transposed from the US to Naples, mixes drama equally with the alliances across social class and more with archive footage to create a unique fable that dramatic acts of courage that encompass the labour demonstrates the imaginative vision and creative skill of of activism. The result is a nuanced and quietly rousing director Pietro Marcello, who follows up his impressive portrait of the pleasures, possibilities and limitations of 2015 feature debut Lost and Beautiful with a work that is collective liberation and feminist solidarity. Jemma Desai no less engaging. Adrian Wootton

SUN 6 MON 7 WED 9 FRI 4 MON 7 17:45 MAYFAIR 15:00 ICA 15:15 VUE4 20:45 ICA 18:15 VUE4 MR. JONES NOURA’S DREAM OBYWATEL JONES LE RÊVE DE NOURA Dir Agnieszka Holland. James Norton stars as Welsh journalist Gareth Jones Dir-Scr Noura and Lassad’s delicate love story turns into Prod Klaudia Smieja, whose 1930s visit to Soviet Ukraine uncovered the truth Hinde Boujemaa. a nightmare when Noura’s husband Sofiane is Andrea Chalupa, Prod Imed Marzouk, Stanislaw Dziedzic. of Stalin’s state-sponsored famine and reputedly Tatjana Kozar, unexpectedly released from prison, days before Scr Andrea Chalupa. inspired George Orwell’s Animal Farm. François d’Artemare. their divorce is finalised. With James Norton, Agnieszka Holland’s latest film introduces us to the world With Hend Sabri, Noura (played by veteran Tunisian-Egyptian actress Vanessa Kirby, Lofti Abdelli, Hakim Peter Sarsgaard. of foreign journalists in Moscow during the 1930s. There’s Boumassoudi. Hend Sabri) is vulnerable and the precariousness of Poland-Ukraine-UK Walter Duranty (Peter Sarsgaard), chief correspondent Tunisia-Belgium- her situation is key to Hinde Boujemaa’s assured and 2019. 119min. for the New York Times and controversial apologist for France-Qatar 2019. compelling feature debut. Sofiane’s release brings a Sales WestEnd Films 92min. Stalin’s policies, and Gareth Jones (a superb James EST. volatile undercurrent of violence into the home she built Norton), whose short career had already seen him advise Sales Wild Bunch for their three children. His return to petty crime has fewer Prime Minister David Lloyd George. He became one of International legal implications than the consequences of Noura’s the few journalists of his time to expose Stalin’s despotic infidelity. The tinderbox is sparked when Sofiane pieces nature. As scripted by Orwell authority Andrea Chalupa, things together and sets out to disgrace Lassad. the film throws startling and horrific light on Stalin’s brutal Will Noura survive the pressure? Will the lovers survive treatment of the agrarian class. Holland, whose career the humiliation? Boujemaa weaves a tense and complex has flourished in both cinema and television, directs with web. In doing so, she emphasises the fragility of a real passion and commitment. And Jones’ struggle to woman’s position in the Tunisian legal system, as well as reveal unpalatable truths to a world unwilling to confront reflecting on questions of masculinity, power, corruption an inconvenient political reality has uncomfortable and domestic violence. Elhum Shakerifar contemporary parallels. Peter Hames

56 IN ASSOCIATION WITH SAT 5 SUN 6 WED 9 FRI 11 16:30 EGC 13:50 EGC 20:50 VUE6 18:15 NFT2 DOC THE REPORT REWIND

Dir-Scr The American government takes a long hard look Dir Sasha Joseph Through unflinching interviews and home video footage, Scott Z Burns. at itself in this politically urgent drama starring Neulinger. Sasha Joseph Neulinger’s powerful and frank film Prod Prod Thomas Winston, Steven Soderbergh, Adam Driver. Cindy Meehl, investigates the history of his childhood trauma. Jennifer Fox, Is torture ever warranted? Has it ever thwarted a terrorist Sasha Joseph Neulinger’s harrowing yet astonishingly composed Scott Z Burns, attack? Did it lead to information that found Osama Neulinger, autobiographical documentary uncovers the childhood Kerry Orent, Avela Grenier, Michael Sugar, bin Laden? Daniel Jones (Adam Driver) is the report- Robert Schneeweis, sexual abuse he and his sister suffered at the hands Eddy Moretti, writing man in the basement, piecing together the facts Shasta Grenier of three members of their extended family. Neulinger Danny Gabai. about the CIA’s cavalier approach to torture following Winston. interviews his parents, psychiatrists and the police to With Adam Driver, USA 2019. Annette Bening, 9/11. But many powerful people would rather the 86min. fill in his memory gaps and build a disturbingly precise Jon Hamm. military’s ‘Enhanced Interrogation Techniques’ stayed Sales picture, conveying both the cyclical nature of such USA 2019. in the shadows and it becomes evident that Jones and Submarine secret horrors and the difficulty in prosecuting cases that 120min. the report’s commissioner Senator Dianne Feinstein involve children. Rewind’s grimly absorbing investigation UK Distribution Curzon (Annette Bening) have a fight on their hands. Director gains an additional texture through the vast home video Scott Z Burns (screenwriter of Contagion, The Bourne archive shot by Neulinger’s TV director father Henry, Ultimatum and the forthcoming Bond film) nods to the forever hiding his own traumas behind an omnipresent politically conscious thrillers of the 1970s with this lean camcorder. Seemingly superficial clips become sinister and timely drama, showing how vital it is that a nation clues in a film that is obviously upsetting, but also can look clear-eyed into its own darkest moments. cathartic and constructive. It’s a testament to the bravery Kate Taylor and skill of its remarkable young director. Manish Agarwal DEBATE

FRI 4 SAT 5 SAT 5 SUN 6 20:30 NFT1 15:15 NFT1 15:30 EMPIRE 18:00 CINÉ LUMIÈRE SEBERG A SON BIK ENEICH – UN FILS Dir Benedict Andrews. Kristen Stewart shines as an idealistic yet fragile Dir-Scr Challenging your emotions at every turn, Mehdi M Prod Fred Berger, Jean Seberg in this impressive new work from Mehdi M Barsaoui. Barsaoui’s debut is a riveting ride in which the euphoria Kate Garwood, Prod Marc Irmer, Brian Kavanaugh- Una (LFF 2016) director Benedict Andrews. Habib Attia. of a family trip quickly turns into a nightmare. Jones, Returning to the US as Europe’s ‘It’ girl after her breakout With Sami Bouajila, When driving home from southern Tunisia, Fares and Bradley Pilz. success – including Godard’s Breathless – Seberg Najla Ben Abdallah. Meriem’s car is hit by a stray bullet during an ambush by Scr Anna Waterhouse, France-Tunisia- Joe Shrapnel. (Stewart) finds herself a target of J Edgar Hoover’s FBI Lebanon-Qatar 2019. an armed group; their young son Aziz’s liver is punctured. With Kristen Stewart, when she becomes romantically involved with Black 95min. At a local hospital, the need for a transplant uncovers a Jack O’Connell, Panther (Anthony Mackie) and flaunts her disregard EST. secret that risks Aziz’s life should a donor not be found Anthony Mackie. Sales Jour2Fête USA 2019. for America’s misogynistic and racist institutions. in time. But this is only the beginning of the unexpected c.98min. Silkily photographed by Moonlight cinematographer twists in a story so deftly crafted that it offers both a Sales Memento Films Rachel Morrison, with impeccable period costume probing look at Tunisian society’s anchored social and International and production design (from Michael Wilkinson and legal realities, and an unshakable need to ask yourself Jahmin Assa, respectively), this stylish drama packs a what you would do in the same situation. As their world punch. Supported by strong cast that includes Jack falls apart, the subtleties of the couple’s shifting emotions O’Connell, Colm Meaney and Zazie Beetz, Stewart are handled masterfully, heralding Barsaoui as a bold new dazzles as the starlet who was all-but-destroyed by an talent to watch. Elhum Shakerifar archly conservative FBI – then a nefarious organisation with virtually unchecked power – and dismayed as she unwittingly took others down with her. Tricia Tuttle

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FRI 4 SUN 6 FRI 11 SAT 12 18:10 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 17:45 VUE4 18:15 PCC 12:30 TCR DOC BRITISH STAFF ONLY THE STREET EL VIATGE DE LA MARTA Dir Neus Ballús. Neus Ballús’ second feature (after docudrama Dir-Prod The baker, the pie-maker and the diminished long-term Prod Edmon Roch, The Plague) follows a Spanish teenager who is forced to Zed Nelson. community of Hoxton Street face gentrification in this Pau Subirós, UK 2019. Cristóbal García, consider her whiteness on a family holiday in Senegal. 94min. compelling portrait of a rapidly changing London. Lina Badenes, Is it possible to avoid being problematic when you’re Prod Co Some of the businesses on Hoxton Street have been Javier Ugarte. a middle-class white tourist prone to sunburn and WagonTrail around for over a hundred years. But recent times have Scr Neus Ballús, Productions Pau Subirós. entitlement? It’s what Spanish teenager Marta (a quietly witnessed an explosion of coffee shops, art spaces and With Elena Andrada, intense Elena Andrada) wonders as she eye-rolls her way property development. Sound familiar? The locals feel Sergi López, through a painful Christmas holiday in Senegal, staying the exclusion of being priced out, and wonder who’s Diomaye A.Ngom. Spain-France 2019. with her estranged dad and annoying little brother in to blame, while Cameron’s EU referendum looms in 87min. a resort full of white sunburnt pensioners. Turning her the background. Xenophobia is tangible; and with a Sales Film Factory nose up at her dad’s timetable of culturally-appropriative new working space offering colourful ball-pit baths, the Entertainment tourism, she rejects family bonding time, choosing disconnect between the new creatives and the local instead to make some local alliances, first with the community seems irreconcilable. From 82-year-old hotel maid Aissatou and then a romance with aspiring Colleen, to the couple who met as teens working in filmmaker Khouma. As Marta becomes aware of the the pie shop they now run, everyone is feeling a storm wider implication of her flippant teenage rebellion, Ballús’ coming. Sophie Brown strikingly self-reflexive film reveals pointed insights on the pursuit of cross-cultural exploration and solidarity. Jemma Desai

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Dir Ed Perkins. UK-based director Ed Perkins follows his Oscar- Dir Nuno Escudeiro. On the idyllic mountainous border of France and Italy, Prod Simon Chinn. nominated documentary short Black Sheep with Prod Andreas Pichler, local residents are self-organising in order to help UK 2019. Luc Martin-Gousset, 85min. a potent and troubling exploration of trauma, Valerio B Moser. refugees, while law enforcers adopt underhand UK Distribution identity and redemption. Scr Nuno Escudeiro, methods to intervene. Netflix What if every memory that haunts you could be erased? Moritz Bonatti. Sometimes help comes from the most unexpected places. Italy-France 2019. What if something truly horrific had happened to you and 75min. The valleys of the French Alps experienced enforced the person who loves you most could wipe that from Sales Point du Jour displacement during Second World War, so perhaps your mind? Would you want them to? This is the ethical International it’s no surprise that many residents feel moved to help dilemma that 18-year-old Marcus Lewis faced when his refugees whose homes have also become battlefields. identical twin Alex awakened after a motorcycle accident In a climate of mistrust and rising prejudice, it’s refreshing and Marcus was the only person Alex recognised. to witness everyday people get savvy about the laws With no memories at all, Alex relied entirely on his of these lands, especially when political engagement is brother as he tried to understand who he was. Working fickle. As one man quips, ‘Increase the retirement age by from an autobiography by the twins, Perkins and the six months and you’ll have three million people protesting, Lewis brothers craft a powerfully cinematic adaptation but nothing for this’. While director Nuno Escudeiro that helps the audience explore their incredible story attempts to document the way these ambiguous, shifting and remarkable 35-year post-accident journey. It’s a laws are enforced, and authorities sneak refugees out the profoundly moving examination of memory and trauma, back door instead of registering them, no irony is lost with personal responsibility and, ultimately, love. the town’s sign: ‘The Pearl of France is Happy to Tricia Tuttle Welcome You’. Sophie Brown

58 IN ASSOCIATION WITH SUN 6 MON 7 WED 9 THU 3 FRI 4 20:40 NFT1 12:30 TCR 18:10 EMPIRE 18:00 VUE7 18:30 ICA WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS WORKFORCE MANO DE OBRA Dir Ciro Guerra. Ciro Guerra follows Birds of Passage with an allegorical Dir-Scr David Zonana. Produced by Michel Franco, this gripping tale focuses Prod epic penned by JM Coetzee, starring Mark Rylance, Prod Michel Franco, on construction site workers who take matters into their Michael Fitzgerald, David Zonana, Olga Segura, Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson. Eréndira Núñez Larios. own hands when their bosses ignore their requests. Andrea Iervolino, The Magistrate (Rylance) is the amiable face of With Luis Alberti, Nothing is quite what is seems in David Zonana’s Monika Bacardi. colonialism, living in peace in an unnamed frontier town Hugo Mendoza, extraordinary feature debut. From the dynamic opening Scr J M Coetzee. Jonathan Sánchez. With Mark Rylance, of ‘the Empire’ and pottering around with archaeological Mexico 2019. to its detailed mapping of the complex interrelations that Johnny Depp, artefacts. But the lie that underpins this harmony is 82min. govern the building site where plasterer Pacheco works Robert Pattinson. sharply exposed when creepy Colonel Joll (Depp) rides Sales Wild Bunch on the renovation of a luxury home, this complex study of Italy 2019. 104min. into town and starts interrogating the locals, seeking intel human behaviour juxtaposes altruism and opportunism Sales about a coming insurrection. The Magistrate, disgusted with unexpected consequences. Zonana manages to AMBI Distribution by the actions of his fellow army men, begins his own construct a deeply political film about exploitative labour personal rebellion. Following Birds of Passage (LFF 2018) practices that avoids any easy answers. Employing a cast and Embrace of the Serpent (LFF 2015), director Ciro of largely non-professional performers – the filmmaker Guerra continues investigating the effects of oppression spent several months collaborating with bricklayers and on indigenous communities – this time exploring the plasterers to develop the piece – Workforce benefits from mentality of the oppressors themselves. Mark Rylance a real sense of lived-in authenticity. The result increasingly gives a staggering performance in J M Coetzee’s echoes Buñuelian cinema – disquieting, original and adaptation of his own literary masterpiece, brought to hugely timely – where human nature is put under the cinematic life on a vast desert canvas. Kate Taylor cinematic scalpel. Maria Delgado

CLOSE AND FAR The parent-child relationship is one of the most complex, evoking a whole spectrum of emotions. This collection of shorts explores life situations that can shape

these relationships permanently, difficult choices that parents can be sometimes DEBATE faced with and journeys in the search for connection and understanding. Aga Baranowska

IN BETWEEN NË MES Dir Samir Karahoda. Kosovo 2019. 14min. EST Due to the changing economic situation in Kosovo, the tradition of parents building identical houses for their children takes on a new meaning.

THEY BLACKWOOD Dir Kalu Oji. Australia 2018. 12min A look at the challenges of living in a small Australian town, portrayed through the lens of a novelist and her teenage son.

THEY Dir Louisa Rechenbach. UK 2019. 12min An intimate portrait of a couple raising their child gender neutral.

CHLORINE Dir Melissa Anastasi. Australia 2019. 17min 11-year-old Keira’s relationship with her mother changes when Mom’s new boyfriend enters their lives.

CHILD Dir Talia Zucker. USA-Australia 2019. 11min After the birth of her ﬁrst child, a young woman struggles to ﬁnd herself in the new role and connect to her new-born baby.

CHLORINE APART Dir Diana Cam Van Nguyen. Czech Republic 2018. 10min Adults reﬂect on the experience of losing a parent at a young age in this animated documentary.

DAWN IN THE DARK Dir Runyararo Mapfumo. UK 2019. 16min When a young girl’s father is taken to hospital, a familial bond between her and her uncle is tested.

WELCOME TO THE BALL Dir Adam Vincent Wright. USA 2019. 5min Two children from different backgrounds form a loving friendship. MAHALIA MELTS IN THE RAIN Dir Emilie Mannering, Carmine Pierre-Dufour. Canada 2018. 11min In preparation for a ballet photoshoot, Mahalia and her mother visit a hairdresser. WELCOME TO THE BALL Total running time 108 min FRI 4 SAT 5 18:15 PCC 12:40 VUE6

LAUGH 61

Leigh Singer Leigh Singer Paterson) plays a Parisian TUE 8 20:30 VUE6 friendship spans several years and outrageous US indie comedy. events in this award-winning Farahani (About Elly, to set up a practicepsychoanalyst attempting in a post-Arab Spring Tunis. The vertiginous ups and downs in two men’s The vertiginous ups and downs in two men’s In this provocative culture clash comedy, Golshifteh clash comedy, culture In this provocative Kyle (Kyle Marvin). So, it figures that a steep French that a steep French Kyle (Kyle Marvin). So, it figures mountain is the best place to ruefully confess that his best friend can fiancée, where slept with Kyle’s he’s quite solitude but can’t this betrayal in relative process Co-writers pedal power to take revenge. match Mike’s Covino and Marvin expand their 2018 short into a comedy-drama marathon. Their time-skipping vignettes, an in ambitious single takes, reveal realised frequently often toxic and occasionally balm-like co-dependency. Imbuing traditional comic set-pieces – family Christmas, interrupted wedding – with bachelor party, disastrous The Climb expertly shifts gears genuine cinematic flair, between full-blooded slapstick and wince-inducing and fraternal which relationships, studies of romantic sometimes crash but always seem to find the friends getting back in the saddle. Mike (Michael Angelo Covino) is a better cyclist than When you visit the beauty parlour or hammam, you alsoWhen you visit the beauty parlour or hammam, you you to leave with a allowing talk about your problems, sense of emotional investment as well as some physical the kind of practical therapy this That’s improvement. Hence their appreciates. working-class suburb of Tunis to enigmatic, Paris-raised outsider resistance baffled Selma when she tries to establish her psychoanalysis the country’s practice. With from people still reeling been there’s some believe turbulent 2011 revolution, self-help interventions. than enough recent more is debut feature Manele Labidi Labbé’s Writer-director socio-political of entrenched satire slyly effective a wry, traditions. Iranian star Farahani is a subtly magnetic lead, ably backed by a colourful supporting cast of female allies and antagonists. predominantly SAT 5 12:45 MAYFAIR SUN 6 SUN 12:30 VUE4

Jean- Manele Labidi mk2 Films Noah Lang, Kyle Marvin,

Michael Angelo Angelo Michael Michael Angelo Angelo Michael FRI 4 EMPIRE 20:45 SAT 5 15:15 MAYFAIR Dir Covino. Prod Angelo Michael Covino, Kyle Marvin. Scr Covino, Kyle Marvin. With Angelo Michael Covino, Gayle Rankin. USA 2019. 97min. UK Distribution Sony Pictures Releasing Dir-Scr Labbé. Prod Reymond. Christophe With Golshifteh Farahani, Mastoura, Majd Aïcha Ben Miled. France 2019. 88min. EST. Sales THE CLIMB ARAB BLUES À TUNIS UN DIVAN

Cary Rajinder Sawhney

, this original comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding

who are attempting to organise a wedding party, to organise a wedding party, attempting who are but soon find everything going wrong. This bittersweet comedy follows immigrants in Delhi a seemingly unfriendly city, is food and love enough to a seemingly unfriendly city, save the day? Echoing romp finds a group of girlfriends from Assam and of girlfriends from finds a group romp Meghalaya, north-eastern states in India, gathering disorganised plans soon already as help, the group’s As the women cook the traditional go further awry. axone wedding stew (a pork stew with pungent local herbs), neighbours complain about its powerful smell. the aromatic determined to prepare they are However, dish. With on by cultural the challenges brought immigrants in of being and the pressures difference in the back streets of Delhi to throw a secret wedding a secret of Delhi to throw in the back streets by their rottweiler party for a soon-to-be bride. Terrorised of a landlady and with their boyfriends utterly useless

THU 3 20:45 NFT3 LAUGH ROMANTIC COMEDY TO DRY AND DRY TO ROMANTIC COMEDY FROM LAUGH-OUT-LOUD THROUGH FROM LAUGH-OUT-LOUD Nicholas Nicholas Vikram Mehra,

Sayani Gupta, WED 2 18:15 TCR UNDERSTATED – HUMOUR IN ALL ITS FORMS ITS – HUMOUR IN ALL UNDERSTATED Lin Laishram, Dolly Ahluwalia. India 2019. 96min. EST. Prod Co Films Yoodlee Dir-Scr Kharkongor. Prod Siddharth Anand Kumar. With AXONE LAUGH

SAT 5 SUN 6 MON 7 WED 2 THU 3 SAT 5 20:45 NFT1 12:45 MAYFAIR 18:15 PCC BRITISH 20:50 ICA 18:15 NFT2 13:00 CINÉ LUMIÈRE DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER THE FATHER

Dir Simon Bird. Simon Bird’s directorial debut is a warm and Dir Kristina Grozeva, After the funeral of Vasil’s wife, the belief that she Prod Matthew James witty graphic novel adaptation about a single librarian Petar Valchanov. has phoned from beyond the grave leads to a journey Wilkinson. Prod Kristina Grozeva, Scr Lisa Owens. trying to reconnect with her introverted, metalhead Petar Valchanov, both touching and absurd. With Monica Dolan, teenage son. Konstantina Based on a real-life event, writer-directors Kristina Grozeva Earl Cave, The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird’s directorial debut Stavrianou, and Petar Valchanov became fascinated by how a Rob Brydon. Irini Vougioukalou. UK 2019. is a funny, charming and wince-inducingly accurate Scr Kristina Grozeva, ‘completely rational person can fall for the supernatural’. 86min. adaptation of Joff Winterhart’s graphic novel, with a Petar Valchanov, After the phone call from his dead wife, Vasil (Ivan Savov) UK Distribution soundtrack by Belle & Sebastian. Days of the Bagnold Decho Taralezhkov. contacts a well-known psychic and attempts to locate Altitude Film With Ivan Barnev, Entertainment Summer sweetly draws you into the wobbly relationship Ivan Savov. his wife’s aura by sleeping in the woods. His son Pavel – between well-intentioned single librarian Sue Bagnold Bulgaria-Greece-Italy a brilliant serio-comic performance by Ivan Barnev – and her black-clad teenage son Daniel, who’d rather 2019. is forced to accompany him on his quixotic journey while listen to Metallica than his mother. Daniel was meant to 85min. attempting to bring him to his senses. The contrasts EST. spend the summer in Florida visiting his dad, but is now Prod Co between the artist-dissident father and mild mannered stuck with Mum following the trip’s cancellation. The film Abraxas Film son operate on several levels, providing an intimate take boasts supporting turns by Rob Brydon and Alice Lowe, on the absurdities of everyday life, pointing to social and but belongs to its two leads. Long-suffering Sue is personal divisions both past and present. Peter Hames sympathetically portrayed by Monica Dolan (also in our LFF Journey selection Rialto), with Earl Cave’s Daniel a suitably lank-haired, pale-skinned picture of adolescent metalhead angst. Manish Agarwal

WED 9 THU 10 THU 3 SAT 5 18:15 MAYFAIR 18:00 SOHO 20:40 VUE4 15:30 ICA IT MUST BE HEAVEN THE LOST OKOROSHI

Dir-Scr Elia Suleiman. Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman returns Dir-Prod A man who wakes up to discover he has undergone Prod Édouard Weil, with another deadpan take on life in exile with the Abba Makama. a transformation takes a revelatory journey to see Laurine Pelassy, Scr Abba Makama, Elia Suleiman, typically assured and moving It Must Be Heaven. Africa Ukoh. if ancestral tradition has a place in modern life. Thanassis Karathanos, The beard is now inflected with grey and the eyelids hang With Seun Ajayi, Fed up with the soulless city and how its dwellers have Martin Hampel, a little lower, but for Elia Suleiman, the deft comic touch Judith Audu, lost touch with their ancestral traditions, Raymond Serge Noël. Tope Tedela. With Elia Suleiman, and wistful regret for a home just out of reach remain Nigeria 2019. Obinwa yearns for reconnection between man, spirit Tarik Kopti, strong in It Must Be Heaven. The Palestinian filmmaker’s 94min. and traditional society. He awakens one morning to find Grégoire Colin. fourth feature film – and his first in a decade – revisits Prod Co he has transformed into a traditional Igbo masquerade France-Qatar- Osiris Film and Germany-Canada- similar themes to his earlier work, once again employing Entertainment Okoroshi. In his new form, Raymond/Okoroshi sets off Turkey-Palestine 2019. himself as the near-mute central character. This time, on a quest to find a new home in the city. Along the 97min. however, Suleiman transposes much of the action to way, he encounters brassy sex-worker Doris, street UK Distribution Paris and New York. The upheaval across the Arab hustler Willy-Willy – who is convinced of Okoroshi’s New Wave Films world since 2011 has seen the Palestinian struggle for earning potential – and witnesses the idle chit-chat of statehood lose some of the existential urgency it once conspicuous pseudo-spiritual authority the IPSSHRR had to outsiders. Suleiman’s film is a delicious reminder (The Igbo People’s Secret Society for Heritage, of both the vitality of the cause, and the vibrancy of Restoration and Reclamation). Abba Makama’s sharp his artistry. Ali Jaafar satire pulls apart the threads of Nigerian society, reaching back to the nation’s rich history as a way of addressing its potentially bleak future. Tega Okiti

62 #LFF FRI 4 SUN 6 SUN 13 WED 2 FRI 4 18:15 TCR 15:30 VUE5 18:00 PCC 18:30 ICA 12:40 NFT3 LUCKY GRANDMA MAGGIE

Dir Sasie Sealy. A crafty Coen-esque black comedy about an Dir Yi Ok-seop. Prepare to have your pants charmed off by this quirky Prod Cara Marcous, elderly widow who inadvertently steals from the Prod Koo Kyo-hwan. freeform journey through a Seoul beset by mysteriously Krista Parris. Scr Yi Ok-seop, Scr Angela Cheng, Chinese mob and subsequently takes on the Koo Kyo-hwan. appearing sinkholes – all narrated by a catfish. Sasie Sealy. gangs to secure her fortune. With Lee Ju-young, After a sassy radiologist is snapped having sex in the With Tsai Chin, Widowed Grandma Wong doesn’t seem so lucky when Moon So-ri, X-ray room, the image swiftly circulates around the Corey Ha, Koo Kyo-hwan. Michael Tow. she gambles away her entire savings. But her fortunes South Korea 2018. hospital. Nurse Yoon-Young is concerned that she might USA 2019. appear to change when, on the bus home, the man 88min. be one of the randy skeletons depicted. This sets in 87min. sat beside her suddenly expires and she absconds EST. motion a bizarre series of events that see Yoon-Young Sales XYZ Films Sales with his bag stuffed with US dollar bills. However, the M-Line Distribution bonding with her boss (Moon So-ri) and embarking with money belongs to New York’s Chinese mob and she her on a mission to determine whether human beings are now finds herself at the centre of a gang war. Still, never ever really worth believing. Debut director Yi Ok-seop’s underestimate an unflappable pensioner. First-time portrait of young South Koreans’ contemporary concerns writer-director Sasie Sealy’s spiky US indie explores is nothing if not idiosyncratic. It may nod to Miranda July Chinatown’s Mahjong parlours and steam rooms with and Michel Gondry, but Yi has a style very much her own. an authenticity American movies often lack. Veteran For those seeking sparky cinema full of ideas, Maggie actress Tsai Chin (The Joy Luck Club) has a blast as our is an absolute tonic, packed with invention and fizz. wily, chain-smoking, Mandarin-speaking heroine, who Kate Taylor forms a terrific odd-couple partnership with affable giant bodyguard Big Pong (Hsiao-yuan Ha). Leigh Singer LAUGH

THU 10 FRI 11 SUN 13 WED 2 FRI 4 18:30 MAYFAIR 18:20 TCR 15:30 PCC BRITISH 21:00 VUE6 15:20 NFT2 RARE BEASTS THE UNKNOWN SAINT LE MIRACLE DU SAINT INCONNU Dir-Scr Billie Piper. Billie Piper stars in her own directorial debut, a no-holds- Dir-Scr Alaa Eddine Aljem’s darkly comic feature debut Prod Vaughan Sivell. barred anti-romcom about a modern woman’s struggles Alaa Eddine Aljem. is smart, refreshing, original and an astute reflection With Billie Piper, Prod Francesca Duca, Leo Bill, in work and love. Alexa Rivero. on the human need to believe in something. David Thewlis. Billie Piper has long established herself as one of our With Younes Bouab, Returning to the site of a treasure he buried when UK 2019. more daring and unpredictable actors, so it’s no surprise Anas El Baz, escaping the police, a recently released bandit is 87min. Hassan Badida. Prod Co that her striking first feature as writer-director embodies Morocco-France 2019. surprised to find a new shrine – that of the ‘Unknown Western Edge Pictures these qualities. The minefield of contemporary careers 100min. Saint’. Now surrounded by a bustling village, the shrine and relationships has rarely been depicted with such EST. is much visited and assiduously guarded by a wonderful Sales frankness, intimacy and originality. Piper’s single mum The Match Factory array of locals, whom director Aljem characterises with Mandy is chaotic, confrontational and vulnerable. a rich blend of subtle observation and deadpan humour: But so are her estranged parents (David Thewlis, Kerry the guard dog revered to the point of being guarded Fox) and needy new partner (Leo Bill). The fallout from himself; the new doctor and his veteran – but alcoholic these ever-colliding characters is combustible – this is – nurse and the dentist/barber who reserves his best Piper’s scorched-earth exploration of self-worth in shaving foam for exclusive clients. Meanwhile, struggling a time of reclaimed feminism and contentious politics. to find ways to unearth his loot, the thief – superbly The results are both hilarious and grim, often at the same played by a brooding Younes Bouab – is forced to call time, puncturing the oft-believed preconception that we in a favour from ‘Ahmed the Brain’, his ironically named can ‘have it all’. Leigh Singer prison cellmate. Elhum Shakerifar

63 JOY TO THE WORLD…

Joyful films! Triumphant films! Funny films! Philip Ilson THE MARVELOUS MISADVENTURES OF THE STONE LADY Dir Gabriel Abrantes. France-Portugal 2019. 20min. EST Gabriel Abrantes (Diamantino) directs the tale of a sculpture escaping the Louvre. Dir Maryam Mohajer. UK 2019. 4min LAUGH GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC Grandad once saw a picture of Granny and realised she was the love of his life, until…

LOVE THE SINNER Dir Jennifer Sheridan. UK 2018. 10min LOVE THE SINNER 11-year-old Joanna tries to understand grief through her mother’s reaction to Princess Diana’s death.

PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE DADS Dir Jim Picariello. USA 2018. 5min Two middle-aged dads just want to spend a quiet day with their daughters at the park. HOT AND TASTY Dir Laura Jayne Hodkin. UK 2019. 4min Two drunk girls accidentally walk into a crime scene in the local chicken shop.

A FAMILY AFFAIR Dir Florence Keith-Roach. UK 2019. 13min A woman makes a powerful connection with a surprising stranger on her 30th birthday.

UNDER COVERS Dir Michaela Olsen. USA 2018. 8min Uncover the sweet, salacious and spooky secrets of a small town.

BIG TOAST Dir Sacha Beeley. UK 2018. 4min HOT AND TASTY Toast is pining after his lost love, Egg, having made the mistake of copping off with a slice of salami.

DAWN OF A NEW GAY Dir Rosie Gaunt-Mathieson. UK 2019. 5min Comedian Jack Rooke narrates his ﬁrst sexual encounters as a gay man.

SERIOUS TINGZ Dir Abdou Cissé. UK 2018. 3min The face of masculinity as portrayed by young men who grow up in the inner city, where the iconic ‘screwface’ is more than just an expression.

TIC Dir Josef Bates. UK 2019. 15min Dave struggles to keep his Tourette’s on the down-low while on a date with Jess. Stars Will Merrick (Skins, Dead Pixels) and Emma Mackey (Sex Education).

SERIOUS TINGZ SWEATER Dir Nick Borenstein. USA 2018. 5min After his Tinder date ﬂakes, Corey’s day couldn’t possibly be any worse... WED 2 FRI 4 20:40 VUE7 15:30 VUE5 Total running time 96min

Proud Partner of the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express The home of Film

52 star-studded premieres a year Discover the home of entertainment in the heart of London. @DiscoverLSQ www.leicestersquare.london #discoverlsq DARE 65

Michael Blyth Peter Hames FRI 11 15:30 NFT2 marriage in this altogether different kind of science marriage in this altogether different fiction story. World War try to reconstruct their lives in post-war try to reconstruct War World extraordinary Leningrad, in Kantemir Balagov’s second feature. award-winning An evangelical group fight to uphold the sanctity of An evangelical group Two women who survive active service in the Second women who survive active service in Two Alive with vibrant style and playful humour, Gabriel Alive with vibrant style and playful humour, salvation story is a work of almost infinite Mascaro’s lies But beneath the neon-soaked veneer, pleasures. of faith and the rise of critique on the allure a pressing conservative values in contemporary Brazil. Brazil, 2027. Joana is a civil servant working with clients A devout believer in the institution of seeking a divorce. marriage, she does what she can to persuade quarrelling couples to give it another go, turning to the unorthodox But things Divino Amor. group methods of her religious Joana as they may, not plain sailing at home. Try are childless, despite their and her husband Danilo remain reliant to conceive. Becoming increasingly staunch efforts priest service, Joana is on her local 24-hour drive-through fast giving up hope, until one day a miracle happens. Inspired by Nobel prize winner Svetlana Alexievich’s Alexievich’s by Nobel prize winner Svetlana Inspired – interviews with ordinary The Unwomanly Face of War women about their wartime experience – Beanpole between the focuses on the intense relationship and her traumatised Iya (Viktoria Miroshnichenko) The characters’ Perelygina). friend Masha (Vasilisa to have a to assert their identity and the desire desire child is portrayed with a raw psychological intensity The post- of Ingmar Bergman. that's reminiscent tellingly conveyed of Leningrad is siege atmosphere design and Ksenia Sereda’s while Sergey Ivanov’s context. expressive a powerfully cinematography provide film conveys a fiercely Often deeply disturbing, Balagov’s and exhaustion to the trauma imaginative approach of a society emerging from war. war. of a society emerging from THU 10 18:10 VUE4 FRI 4 12:10 NFT1

Dia Praes,

Gabriel Mascaro, Mascaro, Gabriel Kantemir Balagov, Balagov, Kantemir Gabriel Mascaro. Mascaro. Gabriel Kantemir Balagov. Balagov. Kantemir WED 9 EMPIRE 20:45 THU 3 18:00 SOHO BEANPOLE Dir Prod Rachel Daisy Ellis. Scr Rachel Daisy Ellis, Lucas Paraizo, Bezerra. Esdras With Machado. Julio Brazil-Uruguay-Chile- Denmark-Norway- Sweden 2019. 100min. EST. Sales Memento Films International Dir Prod Rodnyansky, Alexander Sergey Melkumov. Scr Terekhov. Alexander With Viktoria Miroshnichenko, Perelygina, Vasilisa Andrey Bykov. Russia 2019. 137min. EST. DistributionUK MUBI DIVINE LOVE DIVINO AMOR DYLDA

Kate Taylor

a serious new talent. contemporary Southern gothic Burning Cane as Phillip Youmans director heralds 19-year-old Winner of the top prize at the Tribeca Film Festival, Winner of the top prize at the Tribeca Helen stalks through her farm with a cleaver in one Helen stalks through the various running through in the other, hand, cigarette mange. Her recently tried for her dog’s she’s treatments unemployed son Daniel pushes beer and whiskey on Pierce) (Wendell his own child. And the local preacher in denial about the malice forming an increasingly remains powerful undertow to his sermons. As alcohol and this Louisiana family and their pastor, melancholy suffuse a woozy portrait emerges – one of characters living a poetic film in lows they cannot transcend. Creating language that prizes sensory experience, Phillip Youmans this observational never judges his characters, and it’s earninggaze, and the bleak truths he excavates, that are Malick, RaMell him favourable comparisons to Terrence Ross and William Faulkner. SAT 12 16:30 VUE6

OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE COMFORT OF YOUR DARE IN-YOUR-FACE, UP-FRONT AND IN-YOUR-FACE, Phillip Phillip ARRESTING: FILMS THAT TAKE YOU OUT YOU TAKE FILMS THAT ARRESTING: Cinetic Wendell Pierce, Pierce, Wendell Wendell Pierce, Pierce, Wendell FRI 11 20:50 NFT3 Karen Kaia Livers, McClellan. Dominique USA 2019. 78min. Sales Dir-Scr Youmans. Prod Mose Mayer, Ojo Akinlana, Karen Kaia Livers, Cassandra Youmans, Youmans. Phillip With BURNING CANE DARE

TUE 8 WED 9 SUN 6 MON 7 18:15 PCC 18:15 VUE7 20:30 MAYFAIR 18:10 TCR DOGS DON’T WEAR PANTS DON'T LOOK DOWN KOIRAT EIVÄT KÄYTÄ HOUSUJA HAUT PERCHÉS Dir J-P Valkeapää. A dominatrix offers an emotionally paralysed widower Dir-Scr Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau return with Prod an unexpected chance for sexual and psychological Olivier Ducastel, an elegant and intimate drama about love and revenge, Helen Vinogradov, Jacques Martineau. Aleksi Bardy. release in this playful dark comedy. Prod Cyriac Auriol. crafted with dramatic intensity and visual dazzle. Scr J-P Valkeapää, Heart surgeon Juha has lived life at an unengaged With Manika Auxire, In this seductive, mysterious drama, versatile French duo Juhana Lumme. distance since his wife tragically drowned some years Geoffrey Couët, Ducastel and Martineau (Theo and Hugo, Jeanne and the With Pekka Strang, François Nambot. Krista Kosonen, ago. And although it is often debilitating, his grief France 2019. Perfect Guy) have made one of their most inventive films. Ester Geislerovà. also throws up some rather surprising sexual urges. 90min. In a high-rise apartment, a woman and five men gather to Finland-Latvia 2019. A birthday trip with his daughter leads to an unexpected EST. share their experiences of a man that they have all been 105min. UK Distribution EST. but thrilling encounter with Mona, a dominatrix whose Peccadillo Pictures involved with, to their cost. In the main room, they talk, UK Distribution modus operandi brings a whole new meaning to the drink, dance, while one by one, each goes next door for Anti-Worlds notion of suffocating relationships. Might submission a private moment of truth. Theatrical in the best sense, and pain provide a pathway out of grief? Featuring some the film turns the apartment into a stage for a superb graphic scenes, director Valkeapää teases out a twisted ensemble cast. Alongside echoes of Fassbinder and but sweet vein of comedy from this kinky set-up. one-set dramas like Hitchcock’s Rope, Manuel Marmier’s Empathetic and resolutely sex positive, this is a fun photography and unconventional lighting make this and joyful film. And if you like your romantic comedies a sculptural celebration of space and colour, as well with a dark edge, a gag and a slap or two, then this as a psychological nail-biter. Jonathan Romney puppy’s for you. Sarah Lutton

TUE 8 WED 9 TUE 8 WED 9 20:45 NFT1 21:00 TCR BRITISH 18:20 EMPIRE 15:30 PCC ETERNAL BEAUTY FAMILY ROMANCE, LLC

Dir-Scr Craig Roberts. Sally Hawkins is a schizophrenic woman coping Dir-Scr Werner Herzog. Werner Herzog is on typically thought-provoking form, Prod Adrian Bate. with a hallucinatory existence in Craig Roberts’ bold, Prod Roc Morin. dramatising the work of a ‘rent-a-relative’ service, With Sally Hawkins, With Yuichi Ishii, Alice Lowe, sometimes hilarious and disturbing exploration Mahiro Tanimoto. in this Tokyo-set meditation on contemporary alienation. David Thewlis. of mental illness. USA 2019. Intrigued by the story of a Japanese company that, UK 2018. Jilted as a young woman on her wedding day, the 89min. for a fee, can supply people to imitate absent family 95min. UK Distribution Sales Bankside Films outsider in a fragmented family and beset with anxieties Modern Films members, Werner Herzog flew to Tokyo and filmed both real and imaginary, June has a life of constant this scripted series of moments in the life of Family struggle. Pills offer a possible solution and her relationship Romance, LLC. In an uncanny bit of re-re-enactment, with vagrant musician Mike (David Thewlis) might be the company’s founder Yuichi Ishii plays himself, as the another. But does the medication and even love just man who performs multiple impersonations a day to fulfil exacerbate June’s delusional state of mind? Following people’s wishes. This includes passing as the estranged his 2015 directorial debut Just Jim, Submarine star father of a 12-year-old girl, suddenly resurfacing in her life Craig Roberts’ sophomore feature is a true high-wire act, and dedicating time and attention to her. Amusing and depicting the unstable perceptions of a fragile persona disturbing in equal measure, Herzog’s film questions with delirious colour and design across ever-shifting the bizarre nature of the social systems that we put in time frames. Sally Hawkins’ fearless performance place to deal with our random existence and probes again confirms her as one of Britain’s best, and an ace our blurry relationships to truth and love. Kate Taylor supporting cast – Alice Lowe, Billie Piper, Penelope Wilton – prove equally committed to Roberts’ singular, humane vision. Leigh Singer

66 BFI Members get close up bfi.org.uk/join MON 7 TUE 8 WED 2 FRI 4 20:50 IMAX 15:30 PCC 20:45 TCR 15:00 VUE7 FIRE WILL COME GHOST TOWN ANTHOLOGY O QUE ARDE Dir Oliver Laxe. A pyromaniac returns to his mother’s farm in Dir-Scr Denis Côté. Denis Coté’s latest uses superb camerawork, Prod Andrea Vázquez, Oliver Laxe’s visually jaw-dropping study of Prod Ziad Touma. imaginative sound and pleasing narrative ambiguities Xavi Font, With Robert Naylor, Andrea Queralt, the Galician landscape. Josée Deschênes, to explore a community’s response to a local’s death. Mani Mortazavi. Amador is newly out of jail. We know little of his crime Jean-Michel Anctil. The latest feature from acclaimed French-Canadian Scr Oliver Laxe, and the taciturn man has no desire to play nice with Canada 2019. filmmaker Denis Coté – whose documentary A Skin So Santiago Fillol. 97min. With Amador Arias, the neighbours in the picturesque valley where he lives EST. Soft graced the 2017 LFF – is an intriguing, insightful Benedicta Sánchez, with his warm, charismatic mother – a relationship that Sales look at the effects of an unexpected death on a remote Inazio Abrao. is superbly doled out to us in small sips. But things look Film Boutique rural community. After a popular 21-year-old crashes his Spain-France- Luxembourg 2019. up when he meets a female vet who knows nothing of car, his brother, bored with country life, suspects it was 85min. his past (and enjoys a bit of Leonard Cohen). Prizing suicide. His mother and the mayor, however, preferring EST. atmosphere and ambiguity over plot, this is slow cinema to flag resilience, reject such ideas. Meanwhile, other UK Distribution that gives us astonishing image after astonishing image locals start hearing strange sounds, glimpsing strange New Wave Films to drink in, allowing us to treasure a countryside viewed figures… Steering clear of horror tropes, Coté conjures in shades of elemental splendour: sunlight, fog and, enough deeply unsettling moments – real or imagined most dramatically, fire. Director Oliver Laxe (appearing – to suggest the dead never wholly desert the living. in Experimenta Special Presentation Krabi, 2562) Peppered with pleasing ambiguities, and shot on faintly follows Mimosas (LFF 2016) with a raw yet ravishing grainy 16mm to create a mood at once utterly naturalistic sensory experience. Kate Taylor and vividly hallucinatory, this exploration of how we respond to loss, grief and mortality is fresh, thought- provoking and engrossing throughout. Geoff Andrew DARE

FRI 4 SAT 5 SAT 12 FRI 4 SAT 5 SAT 12 21:00 PCC 20:50 TCR 12:45 MAYFAIR 18:00 NFT1 15:15 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 11:00 STUDIO P&B I LOST MY BODY LITTLE JOE J'AI PERDU MON CORPS Dir Jérémy Clapin. A severed hand searches for its owner in this striking Dir Jessica Hausner. Jessica Hausner’s first English-language feature is Prod Marc du animation, which grabbed the Grand Prize at the Prod Bruno Wagner, a pleasingly cool, witty and unsettling story of the Pontavice. Bertrand Faivre, Scr Jérémy Clapin, Cannes Critics' Week. Philippe Bober, pitfalls of placing too much trust in everyday science. Guillaume Laurant. In an eerie Parisian hospital, a disembodied hand Martin Gschlacht, At a laboratory developing new plants, Alice (Emily With Hakim Faris, inexplicably begins to move. Scurrying out into the Jessica Hausner, Beecham) and Chris (Ben Whishaw) create a species Victoire du Bois, Gerardine O'Flynn. Patrick Dassumçao. bustling streets of the capital, the macabre manus begins Scr Jessica Hausner, with a scent designed to induce happiness; Alice France 2019. a perilous quest to be reunited with the body it was Géraldine Bajard. names it Little Joe after her son. Then several incidents 81min. separated from. Meanwhile, in another part of the city, With Emily Beecham, make the divorcée wonder whether contact with the EST. Ben Whishaw, UK Distribution lonely pizza delivery boy Naoufel still grieves the tragic Kerry Fox. flower might have subtle but very serious side effects… Netflix loss of his parents as a child. One rainy night, he fleetingly Austria-UK-Germany Everything about Hausner’s movie – the inventive script, encounters a young woman named Gabrielle. Sensing a 2019. 105min. the crisp, fluid camerawork, the use of Teiji Ito’s haunting connection, Naoufel embarks on his own mission to track UK Distribution music and the carefully nuanced performances – BFI Distribution her down. While its morbid starting point suggests a is a model of expressive precision, exhibiting an astute modern-day The Beast with Five Fingers, Jérémy Clapin’s grasp of the psychological and social dynamics of the beautifully realised curio is not out to scare. Instead, this workplace, family, parenthood and gender relations. elegiac coming-of-age tale offers a wildly ambitious, Crucially, Hausner maintains a satisfying ambiguity as to profoundly moving meditation on grief, destiny and the why characters behave as they do and what that might eternal search for belonging. Michael Blyth mean, producing a philosophically intriguing, consistently compelling cinematic enigma. Geoff Andrew The screening on Sat 12 Oct is a Parent and Baby screening

67 DARE

TUE 8 WED 9 TUE 8 WED 9 20:50 NFT3 20:50 VUE4 18:30 NFT2 18:40 VUE6 LOVE ME TENDER THE MAN WHO CUTS TATTOOS

Dir Klaudia Reynicke. Klaudia Reynicke’s second feature is a portrait of a Dir-Scr Across two crucial periods in Nigerian history, With rebellious young woman who must push her limits to Michael Omonua. two young women must ponder the painful sacrifices Barbara Giordano, Prod Abba Makama. Antonio Bannò, gain freedom and independence. With Valerie Dish, they are forced to make for love. Gilles Privat. Seconda suffers from agoraphobia and is unable to leave Omowunmi Dada, To mark the beginning of adulthood and prepare for Switzerland 2019. her family home, where she's constantly surrounded by Duke Elvis. marriage, a young girl in an Edo village must undergo a 83min. Nigeria 2019. EST. painful memories. Tired of battling suicidal tendencies, 76min. painful rite of passage through scarification. The agony Sales she resolves to take control of her life. That means Prod Co she endures for a loving union finds her questioning the Summerside leaving her house dressed in her ‘armour’ – a blue Cine9ja Ltd process. Sometime in the future, unencumbered by International onesie. This new world brings Seconda fresh challenges the traditions that exist in present day Lagos, Michelle as she navigates her way through various encounters questions her tumultuous relationship with boyfriend with a range of characters on her journey. She seeks America. Having recently found out she’s pregnant, with to overcome these new surroundings by abandoning America pushing her towards an abortion and with her social norms and discovering her own way of coping with job on the line, Michelle also considers the sacrifices past trauma in a surprising and often amusing fashion. that are made for love. With a stunning depiction of Barbara Giordano gives a fearless physical performance provincial Nigerian life and the grit of urban existence, as the unapologetic anti-heroine, embarking on a joyous Michael Omonua’s bold debut effortlessly bends time exploration of one woman’s desire to free herself on her and human experience in ways that push the potential own terms. Isabel Moir of Nigerian cinema. Tega Okiti

THU 3 FRI 4 WED 9 THU 10 SAT 12 18:00 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 15:00 NFT3 18:00 VUE5 14:50 NFT3 15:10 PCC THE MIRACLE OF THE SARGASSO SEA THE PAINTED BIRD TO THÁVMA TIS THÁLASSAS TON SARGASSÓN Dir Syllas Tzoumerkas. Greek Weird Wave auteur Syllas Tzoumerkas returns Dir-Prod-Scr Based on Jerzy Kosin´ski’s 1965 novel and a long time Prod Maria Drandaki. with a visually dazzling, narratively dizzying and Václav Marhoul. in the making, Václav Marhoul’s extraordinary Scr Youla Boudali, With Petr Kotlár, Syllas Tzoumerkas. genre-defying murder mystery set in a depressed Stellan Skarsgård. The Painted Bird finds a lone Jewish boy on a dark With Angeliki Papoulia, seaside town. Czech Republic- odyssey towards home during wartime. Youla Boudali, City cop Elisabeth (Angeliki Papoulia) is caught up in Slovakia-Ukraine 2019. A boy (Petr Kotlár) is sent to his aunt to protect him from Christos Passalis. 169min. Greece-Germany- a botched Athens bust and exiled to the remote town EST. the Nazis; when she dies unexpectedly, he’s propelled Netherlands-Sweden of Mesolongi, where she is now the local police chief. Sales Celluloid Dreams on a bleak journey across Central Europe – from one 2019. After an apparent suicide shakes the town, Elisabeth is brutal encounter to the next. Shot in starkly beautiful 121min. EST. plunged into a sleazy and violent conspiracy involving 35mm black and white by Kolya cinematographer Sales a vicious club owner, his depressed sister and an Vladimír Smutný, The Painted Bird’s textures recall New Europe Film Sales assortment of bent officials and hard-living locals. both the crispness of The Bicycle Thief and squalor of Combining an extravagant visual style, including flashes Aleksei German’s Hard to be a God. Featuring several of surreal and perverse religious imagery, this singular standout cameos (Stellan Skarsga˚rd, Udo Kier, Harvey vision from Tzoumerkas (who co-wrote Suntan) is Keitel), Marhoul’s darkly magnificent Venice Film Festival certainly not for the faint hearted. Violent and explicit, competitor is sumptuously crafted, though rarely an easy fiercely committed to its own oblique narrative and watch, with scenes some will find distressing. A terrifying nightmarish imagery, Tzoumerkas’ film cements his status and highly relevant exploration of what humanity looks as one of the most exciting young directors to emerge like when there is only vicious survival, with little space from the thriving Greek film scene. Paul Ridd for compassion. Tricia Tuttle

68 Buy tickets bfi.org.uk/lff 020 7928 3232 (10:00 – 20:30 daily) SAT 5 SUN 6 SAT 5 MON 7 18:10 ICA 13:00 SOHO 17:50 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 20:30 ICA THE SHARKS SYSTEM CRASHER LOS TIBURONES SYSTEMSPRENGER Dir-Scr Lucía Garibaldi. An intriguing coming-of-age tale is presented through Dir-Scr An intensive drama about a pre-pubescent girl who Prod Isabel Garcia, the allegorical prism of an environmental incident. Nora Fingscheidt. actually crashes Germany’s child and welfare system Pancho Magnou Prod Peter Hartwing, Arnabal. There are unwelcome visitors in the coastal waters Jonas Weydemann, whilst on her quest for love and security. With around the tourist town where fifteen-year-old Rosina Jakob D Weydemann. When neon pink flashing images flood the screen, Romina Bentancur, lives with her sister and parents. When a shark is With Helena Zengel, it’s a sign that nine-year-old Benni has lost all control. Federico Morosini, Albrecht Schuch, Fabián Arenillas. assumed to have killed a sea lion, the community sets up Gabriela Maria She screams, swears, hits out and spits. Though she can Uruguay-Argentina- a WhatsApp group to protect its interests. But Rosina has Schmeide. be extremely violent, the traumatised girl is also lovable, Spain 2019. other matters on her mind. There’s an uneasy relationship Germany 2018. understanding, vulnerable and very smart. Tossed from 80min. 119min. EST. with her sister and a burgeoning attraction to one of the EST. one foster home to the next, she dreams of nothing more Sales workers her father employs in his gardening business. UK Distribution than being reunited with her overstrained mother. Nora Visit Films Romina Bentancur excels as the disarming teenager 606 Distribution Fingscheidt has created a deeply moving portrait of the whose inscrutability proves increasingly unnerving. vulnerability of childhood, asking where Benni belongs, Debut director Lucía Garibaldi demonstrates a keen who can help her and how she can be supported. eye for the undercurrents that lie beneath the domestic Through the commitment of an excellent cast and with its situations that form the film’s narrative backbone, powerful narrative of a young girl who has lost her place crafting an intriguing feature about desire, sexuality and in society, Fingscheidt challenges conventional attitudes dangers that remain unsaid. Maria Delgado towards innocence, systems of support and, ultimately, the role of the welfare state. Juliane Grieb DARE

SAT 5 SUN 6 SUN 13 WED 9 FRI 11 18:00 PCC 20:30 TCR 18:00 TCR 20:35 NFT3 15:00 ICA THIS IS NOT BERLIN TLAMESS ESTO NO ES BERLIN Dir Hari Sama. A young man’s life is turned upside down when he Dir-Scr Ala Eddine Slim’s mesmerising second feature is Prod Ale García, discovers the underground club scene of Mexico City. Ala Eddine Slim. as bold in its audio-visual wonder as it is audacious Antonio Urdapilleta, Prod Ala Eddine Slim, Verónica Valadez, It’s 1986 and as Mexico’s capital goes World Cup- Juliette Lepoutre, in its challenge to conventional narratives. Hari Sama. crazy, 17-year-old Carlos spends his days getting into Ali Hassouna, Pursued by the authorities for deserting the army, young Scr Rodrigo Ordoñez, schoolyard brawls and cruising around town with his Chawki Knis, Tunisian soldier ‘S’ eventually finds refuge in a lush, Hari Sama, Pierre Menahem. Max Zunino. rowdy pals to the thumping sounds of Judas Priest. With Abdullah Miniawy, dense forest. On the other side of the sprawling woodland, With Xabiani Ponce But heavy metal guitar riffs soon give way to post-punk Souhir Ben Amara, ‘F’ lives a life of luxury but is lonely. Her husband is de León, synths when Carlos visits subversive new-wave nightclub Khaled Ben Aissa. consumed by work and her sense of solitude is magnified José Antonio Toledano, Tunisia-France 2019. Ximena Romo. Azteca and finds himself immersed in a transgressive 120min. with the discovery that she is pregnant. Intersecting Mexico 2019. world of music, art, politics, drugs and sexual fluidity. EST. these characters’ lives, Slim cements his reputation for 110min. Finally feeling like he fits in, the blossoming teen begins Sales unpredictable narratives, rewarding both characters and EST. to forge his own identity and open himself up to a new Be For Films audiences for entering unchartered territories. The film’s Sales Latido Films and exciting world of untold possibilities. A coming-of-age striking cinematography creates a sensual world, tale with real bite, Hari Sama’s evocative homage to oscillating between realism and more enchanted imagery. the anarchic spirit of adolescent rebellion exudes an Nature is lusciously present, enhanced by Oiseaux- infectious sense of energy, as well as a poignant pang Tempête’s eerie, pervasive soundscape. And though of melancholy. Michael Blyth dialogue is scarce, communication abounds as a new kind of language emerges between Slim’s two fascinating protagonists. Elhum Shakerifar

69 DARE Entertainment Factory Film Sales 107min. Luxembourg 2018. Guatemala-France- Diane Bathen. Zebadúa, Armas Mauricio Juan Pablo Olyslager, With Gérard Lacroix. Jayro Bustamante, Peredo, Pilar Edgard Tenembaum, Prod Jayro Bustamante. Dir-Scr TEMBLORES TREMORS 70 Pictures Peccadillo UK Distribution 109min. 2019. Sweden Iceland-Denmark- Hlynsdóttir. Mekkín Ída ESigurðsson, Ingvar With Svansson. Máni Anton Prod Hlynur Pálmason. Dir-Scr HVÍTUR, HVÍTURDAGUR A WHITE,WHITEDAY 20:30 PCC 20:30 SUN 6 VUE7 18:00 MON 7

20:45 NFT2 20:45 MON 7 NFT2 18:10 9 WED devastation ofaman consumedbyloss. Sigurðsson’s toweringperformancereveals theinterior strangeness ofIceland’s breathtaking landscape, while of loss.Hypnoticimageshighlightthe beautyand complex dramaisalsoanexploration oftheravages Brothers, LFF2017)highlyoriginalandemotionally police procedural. Director HlynurPálmason’s (Winter instincts clickbackintogear. Butthisisnostandard discovery abouthiswifeseesIngimundur’s detective increasingly alienatedfrom otherpeople.Anaccidental and devotedrelationship with hisgranddaughter, butis accident. Debilitatedbygrief,Ingimundurstillhasawarm home andstartingover, followinghiswife’s deathinacar (Ingvar Sigurðsson)doggedlyworksatrenovating anew Icelandic town,off-duty police chiefIngimundur As timepassesandseasonschangeinaremote impossible toforget. religious pressures isanindelibleexperiencethat’s devastating explorationofdestructivesocietaland of oppression, Bustamante’s stiflinglytense,often interiors thatenhancetheclaustrophobic atmosphere their wayward soncanbe‘cured’. Shotwithindarklylit tothechurch his determinedfamilyturn inthehopethat new one,Pabloexistsinanisolatedstateoflimbountil Losing hisoldhome,butneverquitefeelingsettledin the bolddecisiontomoveinwithFrancisco,hislover. relatives, Pabloattemptstostaytruehimself,making Despite thevehementprotestations ofhisscandalised with anothermantheystageanimmediateintervention. Pablo, amarriedfatheroftwo,hasbeenhavinganaffair When hiswealthy, that ultra-conservativefamilylearn Iceland’s finestactorIngvarSigurðssongivesa Award-winning director Jayro Bustamante(whose with hiswife’s death. as widowedcopwhobecomesincreasingly obsessed heart-breaking andCannes award-winning performance queer identityinGuatemala. presents acomplexandprovocative portraitof La Lloronaalsofeatures intheOfficial Competition)

15:30 TCR 15:30 10 THU Michael Blyth Sarah Lutton

VITALINA VARELA ZOMBI CHILD OPTEC Co Prod EST. 124min. 2019. Portugal Francisco Brito. Almeida, Tavares Manuel With Vitalina Varela. Scr Abel Ribeiro Chaves. Prod Dir MUBI UK Distribution EST. 103min. 2019. France Katiana Milfort. Wislanda Louimat, With Robin. Ève Lévy, Lou Judith Prod Bonello.Bertrand Dir-Scr 17:45 ICA 17:45 12 SAT 18:20 EMPIRE SUN 6 Pedro Costa. Pedro Costa, Vitalina Varela, Louise Labèque, Labèque, Louise

Bertrand Bonello, Bertrand

15:30 SOHO 15:30 SUN 13 20:40 CINÉ LUMIÈRE MON 7 audacious conclusion. stirs uppost-colonialdebateandbuilds toatruly in hisyouth, ZombiChild teasesatgenre elements, Influenced bythezombiefilmsbeloved byBonello with Mélissaharbouringanincendiary familysecret. firmly 21st-century, something more ancientisatplay, But whilepresentations on Rihannakeeptheir story Fanny invitesMélissatojoina secret ‘literarysorority’. when theydiscoverashared passionforStephenKing. rigeur. Mélissamakesherfirstfriendindreamer Fanny school, where cerebral lectures onliberalismare de Paris. HaitianteenMélissaisthenewgirlataprestigious trapped inperpetualnight.Fastforward tocontemporary to workonasugarcaneplantation,ClairviusNarcisse is Haiti, 1962.Amanisresurrected from thedead.Forced Jonathan Romney alongside Costa’s ever-present everymanhero Ventura. music, withVarela asamightilyimposingcentralfigure incantatory dialogue,thisisessentiallyanoperawithout that acquire thegrandeurofclassicalstatuary. its With night incrumblingbackstreets, andhumanpresences Leonardo Simões,withavisualsignature ofvelvet-dark grief andexile,thefilmismagnificentlyphotographedby husband’s funeral.Amesmerisingcontemplationofrace, a planeticket,arrivesinPortugalthree daysafterher foreground asawomanwho,afteryearswaitingfor pursuit ofitsthemesandmotifs–Varela stepsintothe herself. Inthisfollow-up–lessasequelthandeeper Varela madeamemorableappearance,effectively playing In Pedro Costa’s 2014dramaHorseMoney,Vitalina The latestprovocation from BertrandBonello Portuguese maestro Pedro Costareturns withanother school inParis. folklore withcontemporarylifeatanelitegirls’boarding ( focusing ononewoman’s sorrows andsurvivorspirit. poetic portraitofLisbon’s CapeVerdean community, , LFF 2016) splices Haitian history and Nocturama, LFF2016)splicesHaitianhistoryand See something different 15:30 PCC 15:30 11 FRI Kate Taylor player.bfi.org.uk

PUSH THE BUTTON A programme of films to push buttons, boundaries and the limits of imagination. From the blackly comic to the downright shocking, this is cinema on the edge. Seán McGovern

HUMBLEBRAG Dir Sinéad O'Shea. Ireland 2019. 4min In a homemade clip show, a couple relive the good times, the bad times and the ones they hoped would remain secret.

OLLA Dir Ariane Labed. France-UK 2019. 28min Having been transplanted from Ukraine via an online dating site, Olla can't be OLLA contained by French suburbia, nor can it temper her desires.

FUNFAIR Dir Kaveh Mazaheri. Iran-Canada 2019. 15min In order to make a quick buck, Majid must make his wife fake a car accident injury – but is she already the victim?

END-O Dir Alice Seabright. UK 2019. 15min Jaq is a typical young woman, navigating the foibles of life, love and endometriosis in this stinging black comedy.

MEMOIRS OF A GEEZA Dir Theo James Krekis. UK 2019. 3min A top lad recollects ﬁghts, friends and painting his toenails with his dad.

BREAST FRIENDS Dir Caitlin Young. UK 2019. 6min Some people can’t escape the voices in their head, but for Jess it’s the voices of her END-O two larger-than-life talking breasts.

THE LAMB JANJE Dir Nina Violic´. Croatia 2019. 15min. EST Three kids spend the summer days the usual way: hanging out, Snapchatting... and playing with their newly discovered pet.

GUO4 Dir Peter Strickland. Hungary-UK 2019. 3min Two men. One locker room. A lot of D. From the director of In Fabric (LFF 2018).

I N T E R S T I C E Dir Oskar Willers. Sweden 2019. 11min. EST When Anders makes an indecent proposal to his younger boyfriend Micke, things take a very sudden dark turn.

Total running time: 100min THE LAMB Content warning: This programme contains explicit content and themes, including sex, THU 10 SAT 12 violence and drug use. 20:45 PCC 15:00 MAYFAIR

SUN 6 MON 7 FRI 11 18:20 EMPIRE 20:40 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 15:30 PCC £5 TICKETS FOR 16-25 YEAR OLDS For £5 tickets on the door, visit the venue box office 45 mins before the start time with your ID.

Visit bfi.org.uk/lff/25-and-under for details on how to book advance £5 tickets for handpicked screenings and events.

One ticket per customer, subject to availability. See something different BFI PLAYER KISS OF THE DAMNED THE BEST IN GLOBAL CINEMA ON DEMAND Rent exceptional films (and same-day Or subscribe to watch classics and festival Enjoy a free 14-day trial to the releases), many of them sourced from the greats from across the decades. subscription service on desktop, BFI London Film Festival in previous years. Android, iOS devices and selected Samsung TVs. RENTALS

CAPERNAUM THE FIGHT THUNDER ROAD NOW SHOWING FROM 16 SEP FROM 20 SEP Award-winning, intense and unblinking drama from Jessica Hynes directs and stars in the raw and focused Squirm and clench as Jim Cummings’ troubled cop unravels the Lebanese margins, where a neglected child sues story of a woman struggling to cope as life, family and in spectacular style, crowning this tiny budget triumph. his parents for the crime of giving him life. the past assail.

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KISS OF THE DAMNED ARCADIA THE COLOUR OF POMEGRANATES NOW SHOWING FROM 2 SEP NOW SHOWING A tip of the hat to erotic, satiric giallo as a writer trades A trenchant look at our land, drawn from archive footage The life of Sayat-Nova, the ‘King of Song’, is told with riotous in his humanity for the love of a vampire and a lot of woe. and set to a soundtrack from Adrian Utley and Will Gregory. colour and epic beauty by Sergei Parajanov. A landmark.

72 THRILL

Manish Agarwal Jonathan Romney THU 10 15:00 VUE7 SUN 13 SUN 18:15 VUE5 a typically complex and mischievous offering from from a typically complex and mischievous offering Canadian auteur Atom Egoyan. astonishing rescue of the Wildastonishing rescue Boars football team Luang cave. Tham from David Thewlis excels in this story of family secrets, David Thewlis excels in this story of family secrets, This Thai production is the first film to dramatise 2018’s is the first film to dramatise 2018’s This Thai production . In a narrative that reveals its The Adjuster and Exotica. In a narrative that reveals surprises with tantalising deftness, Laysla De Oliveira who tells a priest (Luke Wilson) about her plays Veronica, late father (David Thewlis), a punctilious food inspector high of restaurants dedicated to uncovering the secrets As his story unfolds, so does his daughter’s, and low. as a music teacher is waylaid by a case of whose career playing with time, technology Adroitly malevolent jealousy. most enjoyable film in this is Egoyan’s and memory, Thewlis and rising star ages, with outstanding leads from the inimitableDe Oliveira, plus a mischievous turn from Arsinée Khanjian. the tradition of such intricately plotted dramas as Atom Egoyan has long specialised in family stories His latest is very much in of unorthodox complexity. Bangkok-born, Thai-Irish writer-director Tom Waller has Waller Tom Bangkok-born, Thai-Irish writer-director in the race beaten several planned Hollywood projects to dramatise last summer’s global headline-grabbing to dramatise last summer’s of the Wild rescue boys football team from Boars as cheering on local engineering expert Pooyai Tun crucial water odds to deliver he battles bureaucratic draining turbo pumps in the nick of time, while Irish that the film’s ensures cave diving specialist Jim Warny exude a clammy underwater scenes claustrophobic docudrama authenticity. Tham Luang cave. They were trapped with their coach Tham Luang cave. They were than for 18 days during the monsoon season. Far more The Cave captures just a plucky domestic production, the complex character of the massive international volunteer by having several of the real-life effort rescue be the world play themselves. You’ll around from heroes WED 9 20:45 PCC SAT 12 12:30 ICA Tom Waller. Tom Playtime Wild Bunch Wild Atom Egoyan, Atom Tom Waller, Tom David Thewlis, Thewlis, David Jim Warny, TUE 8 18:10 NFT1 FRI 11 EMPIRE 18:10 GUEST OF HONOUR Egoyan. Atom Dir-Scr Prod Simone Urdl, Jennifer Weiss. With Laysla De Oliveira, Wilson. Luke 2019. Canada 105min. Sales THE CAVE Dir-Scr Prod Allen Liu. With Ekawat Niratworapanya, James Edward Holley. Thailand-Ireland 2019. 104min. Sales

FRI 11 12:15 EGC

IN ASSOCIATION WITH IN ASSOCIATION plays a murder suspect at the centre of a tumultuous suspect at the centre plays a murder love triangle. In this dark thriller set in 1989 Tokyo, Alicia Vikander In this dark thriller set in 1989 Tokyo, Lucy (Vikander) is a buttoned-up, MUJI-clad translator who has been in Japan for five years and is desperate to blend in. Her reticent nature hides old scars. There’s also hides old scars. There’s nature blend in. Her reticent (Naoki Kobayashi), she quickly finds herself under Teiji his spell, despite all the warning signs. And the pot is further when American nurse Lily (Riley Keough) – stirred all blowsy sexual confidence and cultural naïvety – arrives in town and Lucy experiences some frightening impulses. (Colette) has crafted a moody Westmoreland Wash and intriguing update on 1980s psycho-sexual thrillers, shifting the emphasis onto the psychology of the female that Alicia Vikander is astonishing in a role protagonist. cultural fascination, belonging and obsession. explores the fact that people around her keep dying – accidentally the fact that people around encounter with hot photographeror otherwise. After a street Kate Taylor THU 10 VUE518:30

ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT ON THE EDGE OF YOUR THRILL

ADRENALIN PUMPING AND KEEP YOU YOU ADRENALIN PUMPING AND KEEP NERVE-SHREDDERS THAT’LL GET YOUR GET YOUR THAT’LL NERVE-SHREDDERS Ridley Scott, Alicia Vikander, Vikander, Alicia THU 10 18:00 VUE7 Dir-Scr Riley Keough, Kobayashi. Naoki USA 2019. 108min. UK Distribution Netflix Wash Westmoreland. Westmoreland. Wash Prod Kevin J Walsh, Michael Pruss, Ann Ruark, Pope. Georgina With EARTHQUAKE BIRD THRILL

SAT 12 SUN 13 THU 3 SAT 5 20:30 EMPIRE 12:30 MAYFAIR 18:10 TCR 15:30 PCC INCITEMENT JALLIKATTU

Dir Yaron Zilberman. This slow-burn study of religious obsession tries to Dir Lijo Jose Pellissery. This thrilling, nightmarish ride into the depths of Prod David Silber, fathom what drove a young law student to assassinate Prod Thomas Panicker. human bloodlust, finds a rampaging buffalo hunted Sharon Harel-Cohen, Scr S Hareesh. Tamar Sela, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. With Chemban Vinod by a violent mob. Yaron Zilberman, While his family were at home watching Crocodile Jose, Kerala’s bad boy director Lijo Jose Pellissery returns with Ruth Cats, Dundee 2, 25-year-old Yigal Amir, a bright law student, Antony Varghese, his darkest film to date. The inhabitants of a village find Moshe Edery, Sabu Abdusamad. Ron Leshem. was readying himself to gun down Israeli PM Yitzhak India 2019. themselves increasingly addicted to red meat, placing Scr Ron Leshem, Rabin following a rally in Tel Aviv. The factors that motivated 91min. both butchers and abattoirs in high demand. In a bootleg Yaron Zilberman. him are the basis of Yaron Zilberman’s chilling and urgent EST. slaughterhouse, a buffalo fights its would-be executioners With Prod Co Yehuda Nahari Halevi, account of Amir’s religious radicalisation, a story of Opus Penta and escapes, wrecking a local neighbourhood as it flees. Amitay Yaish Ben twisted ideology that carries a universal message. It starts A group of men, led by butchers, set off to hunt down Ousilio, with the Oslo Peace Accords of 1993. Many Israelis are and kill the animal, but it constantly eludes capture. Anat Ravnizky. thrilled at the prospect of peace in the Middle East, but As more join the hunt, a repressed collective consciousness, Israel 2019. 123min. just as many, including Amir, are not. He joins protest fuelled by greed, lust, distrust and vengeance, erupts with EST. groups that accuse Rabin of giving away Israeli land and, wild ferocity. The boundaries between man and beast Sales worse, of arming the Palestinians. Debating the topic disappear, replaced by an orgy of extreme violence. WestEnd Films with local rabbis, Amir becomes convinced that Rabin is This rollercoaster of a film, slickly shot, paced and acted, subject to God’s law and must be punished accordingly. compellingly explores the dark heart of human nature. Damon Wise Cary Rajinder Sawhney

FRI 11 SAT 12 SUN 13 TUE 8 WED 9 THU 10 20:45 EMPIRE 20:50 PCC 15:40 VUE5 BRITISH 20:30 TCR 15:30 ICA 15:15 VUE4 MUSCLE ONLY THE ANIMALS SEULES LES BÊTES Dir-Scr A directionless call centre salesman gets more than Dir Dominik Moll. A hypnotic and elusive French thriller weaves together Gerard Johnson. he bargained for when he joins a local gym. Prod Carole Scotta, the stories of various individuals connected with the Prod Matthew James Caroline Benjo, Wilkinson, Simon is stuck in a rut. Consistently failing to meet Barbara Letellier, disappearance of a woman, her car found abandoned Ed Barratt, targets at work, and clinging onto the tail end of a failing Simon Arnal. on a remote mountain roadside. Richard Wylie, marriage, his only happiness is a cheeky pint down the Scr Dominik Moll, Franco-German director Dominik Moll returns to the Eric Tavitian, Gilles Marchand. Fred Fiore. boozer. Determined to make some changes, Simon With Denis Ménochet, territory of breakout hits Harry, He’s Here To Help (LFF With Cavan Clerkin, takes the plunge and joins a no-frills bodybuilding gym. Laure Calamy, 2000) and Lemming (LFF 2005) with another darkly funny Craig Fairbrass. No sooner is he fumbling with the weightlifting equipment Damien Bonnard. thriller that explores the seamier side of middle-class life UK 2019. France-Germany 2019. 110min. than hulking man-mountain Terry approaches with the 116min. in the French countryside. Two depressive farmers, an Sales offer of being his personal trainer. As Simon’s physical EST. unfaithful wife, a lovelorn waitress and an African con WestEnd Films transformation begins, his gym buddy slowly infiltrates Sales artist are each related in some way to the disappearance himself into all parts of his life, forcing Simon to question The Match Factory of a glamorous housewife (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi). what Terry’s motivations really are. Handsomely shot in A stylishly-shot and elegantly structured slow-burn, crisp black and white, Gerard Johnson’s testosterone- revealing the secret connections between fascinating fuelled thriller is a meaty exploration (and critique) of and disparate characters, the film finds Moll at the height amplified machismo, propelled by two extraordinary central of his storytelling powers and working with his finest performances from Cavan Clerkin and Craig Fairbrass. cast to date, including an astonishing Denis Ménochet. Michael Blyth This compelling mystery moves expertly toward an unexpectedly moving and surprising denouement. Paul Ridd

74 IN ASSOCIATION WITH THU 10 FRI 11 SUN 13 FRI 11 SUN 13 20:40 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 12:50 NFT2 20:30 PCC 20:45 PCC 20:40 TCR PIRANHAS SAVAGE LA PARANZA DEI BAMBINI Dir Claudio Giovannesi. A teenage Scarface meets Romeo and Juliet, Dir-Scr Sam Kelly. In a story spanning three decades, the sergeant in a Prod in Claudio Giovannesi’s gripping depiction of Prod Vicky Pope. violent New Zealand biker gang reflects on the defining Carlo Degli Esposti, With Jake Ryan, Nicola Serra. young gangsters running amok in Naples. John Tui , moments that turned him into a feared outsider. Scr Roberto Saviano, Nicola is a teenage kid and would-be Paranza (Piranha), Chelsie Preston What turns a man into a monster? This multi-stranded Claudio Giovannesi, groomed to be a foot soldier on the streets of Naples Crayford. drama attempts to explain how a normal young boy Maurizio Braucci. New Zealand 2019. With for Camorra mob bosses. However, Nicola is more 101min. named Danny became a fearsome biker by the name of Francesco Di Napoli, ambitious than most, if not all, of his contemporaries. Sales Damage, who wears his gang membership as a full-face Viviana Aprea, Resembling an underage Scarface, he quickly rises Film Constellation tattoo. Kicking off in the late 1980s, where an increasingly Ar Tem. Italy 2019. through the ranks with a combination of raw charm, jaded Damage is propping up the gang’s divisive leader 110min. assertiveness, audacity and a capacity for cold-blooded Moses, Sam Kelly’s debut flashes back to the 1960s, EST. violence. Adapted from the 2016 novel by Gomorrah when Danny is remanded in custody for thievery, then Sales Elle Driver author Roberto Saviano, which draws on real life events, cruises through the 1970s as Danny finds his outlaw Piranhas is the impressive third feature by Claudio home. This journey of reflection is the spine of the film, Giovannesi (Ali Blue Eyes, Fiore). It’s atmospherically which comes to a head when internal gang tensions boil captured by Daniele Ciprì’s crisp cinematography over and Danny/Damage is embroiled in a murder plot. and features impressively convincing performances, But is he really the killer they think he is? Damon Wise particularly by lead actor Francesco Di Napoli. Adrian Wootton THRILL

SUN 6 MON 7 THU 10 THU 3 SAT 5 15:00 EMPIRE 20:00 NFT3 15:00 NFT2 21:00 SOHO 18:15 VUE6 THE TRAITOR THE WARDEN IL TRADITORE Dir Marco Bellocchio. Italian maestro Marco Bellocchio’s bravura epic gangster Dir Nima Javidi. In an ambitious follow up to his award-winning Prod Beppe Caschetto. odyssey dramatises the extraordinary real life story of Prod Majid Motalebi. Melbourne, Nima Javidi’s thrilling second feature Scr Marco Bellocchio, With Navid Ludovica Rampoldi, Tommaso Buscetta, the first major Camorra boss to Mohammadzadeh, is as astutely crafted as it is suave and seductive. Valia Santella, turn state’s informant. Parinaz Izadyar, The demolition of a remote prison complex, towering Francesco Piccolo. This riveting drama recounts episodes from the extraordinary Mani Haghighi. over the arid landscape of 1960s-era southern Iran, With Iran 2019. Pierfrancesco Favino, life of Sicilian Mafia boss Tommaso Buscetta. Caught up 90min. requires the transfer of its inmate population. Maria Fernanda in an internecine gang war, he is forced back from exile in EST. The operation’s success guarantees a reward for the Candido, Brazil to become the first Camorra capo to turn informant Sales Iranian institution’s strict warden (Navid Mohammadzadeh, Nicola Calí. Independents Italy-France-Germany- in order to protect his family. Ordinarily, this would make in a refreshing departure from the dishevelled delinquents Brazil 2019. for an explosive, action-packed gangster epic. But in he usually plays). However, when it becomes apparent 152min. the hands of master director Marco Bellocchio (Fists in that a prisoner is missing, his absence threatens to EST. the Pocket, Vincere), it becomes so much more. In fact, undermine the warden’s stellar reputation and any Sales The Match Factory The Traitor is nothing less than an epic retelling of late prospect of a promotion. There’s also the relationship 20th-century Italian history. Directed with extraordinary between the warden and the prison’s striking social authority, verve and skill, it is one of Bellocchio’s greatest worker (Parinaz Izadyar), a budding romance that will films and invites comparison with Visconti’s The Leopard likely play a role in the unfolding events. With its high and Rosi’s Salvatore Giuliano. Adrian Wootton concept premise of a frantic manhunt for an inmate in the very building that’s meant to keep him imprisoned, Nima Javidi nimbly reflects on notions of freedom and the fragile nature of authority. Elhum Shakerifar

75 THRILL

WED 9 THU 10 20:45 MAYFAIR 12:30 NFT3 THE WHISTLERS LA GOMERA Dir-Scr Under surveillance by his own force, a corrupt Romanian Corneliu Porumboiu. cop becomes involved in a plot to spring a money- Prod Patricia Poienaru, Marcela Ursu. laundering businessman from police custody. With Vlad Ivanov, Political satire meets pulp fiction in the latest from Catrinel Marlon. Romania’s Corneliu Porumboiu. It’s a playful thriller that Romania-France- Germany 2019. works as both a critique of state bureaucracy and a 97min. briskly commercial film noir. Unfolding in Tarantino-esque UK Distribution chapters that forge their own competing timescales, Curzon The Whistlers tells the story of Cristi, a weatherworn cop who’s become part of the Bucharest crime syndicate he’s meant to be investigating. This takes him to the island of La Gomera in the Canaries, where he is schooled in the art of ‘silbo’ whistling – a secret language used by shepherds that sounds like birdsong and hence is perfect for keeping secrets from his eavesdropping colleagues. The result is a slick and engaging mystery, steeped in the classic hardboiled mythology of Hammett and Chandler. Damon Wise

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT! Films that live for the moment. These individuals can’t hold back as they head into murky and often unexplored territory. Nellie Alston

BETWEEN ENTRE Dir Ana Carolina Marinho, Bárbara Santos. Brazil 2019. 15min Heightened physical desire can be both liberating and treacherous, as two women observe each other from their towers.

JUNIOR BANGERS Dir Danny Lee. UK 2019. 13min Accelerating down muddy, fast lanes and then washing down a bottle of J20 is just part of these kids’ weekly routines. JUNIOR BANGERS KIDS Dir Michael Frei. Switzerland 2019. 9min Falling and running, this animation will keep you on your toes and then point you in the wrong direction because the group dynamics are never set.

EYES ON THE ROAD Dir Stefanie Kolk. Netherlands 2019. 17min Discussions on a road trip hover around a devastating act, but at what point is it okay to call someone out on their opinions?

DÜERRENWAID 8 Dir Kirsten Carina Geisser, Ines Christine Geisser. Germany 2018. 7min Two sisters collect memories, stories and observations from three generations and reshape them.

I AM MACKENZIE Dir Artemis Anastasiadou. USA-Greece 2019. 20min What does someone have to do to be seen? Desired even? A tomboy skater with I AM MACKENZIE a crush tries to experiment, but rushed acts can yield unexpected outcomes.

LET’S ROLL Dir Chris Thomas. UK 2019. 23min Bored and sick of being cast in male shadows, Antonia hurls her way through the problem – and after a Gloucester cheese.

Total running time 104min

This programme contains scenes of a sexual nature.

LET’S ROLL

SAT 5 THU 10 20:45 PCC 12:20 NFT2

76 IN ASSOCIATION WITH CULT

Michael Blyth Night of the Hunter, whilst still SUN 13 SUN 17:15 NFT3 Michael Blyth such a cause célèbre. Calvaire such a cause célèbre. fairytale in this darkly unsettling odyssey from the odyssey from fairytale in this darkly unsettling of Calvaire and Alleluia. acclaimed director Hardware and Dust Devil, makes a triumphant return with this dazzling adaptation of HP Lovecraft’s otherworldly tale. The ‘lovers on the run’ genre is reimagined as childhood is reimagined The ‘lovers on the run’ genre Richard Stanley, visionary director of horror classics of horror visionary director Stanley, Richard 12-year-old Paul lives an isolated existence with his Paul lives an isolated 12-year-old in who works at a private psychiatric hospital mother, a Paul encounters the woods near their house. One day, withyoung teen named Gloria, a mysterious new patient whom he quickly becomes infatuated. As the fledgling Paulpair forge a tentative friendship, Gloria convinces to help her escape. But when they embark on a perilous is put to the test as Gloria’s his devotion journey together, gradually starts to surface. unpredictability dangerous its young Driven by two hypnotic performances from beautiful wistful, breathtakingly stars, Fabrice du Welz’s the recalls obsession frequently tale of dangerous poetry of The dreamlike betraying that brutal edge which made his nightmarish debut Determined to escape the relentless bustle of big city living,Determined to escape the relentless his family to (Nicolas Cage) relocates Nathan Gardner Stanley’s for 27 years, Richard His first narrative feature of slick, stylish and suitably perverse interpretation notoriously ‘unfilmable’ cosmic philosophies Lovecraft’s is a thrilling combination of absorbing family drama and do come to sci-fi madness. Good things really outré those who wait. the remote New England farm where he was raised. New England farm where the remote the personal hardships, Still coming to terms with recent happier chapter to a new, looking forward are Gardners abruptly interrupted when a in life. But their plans are bringing with it a meteor crash lands on their property, that infects and mutates first the mysterious alien force land, and then the people it comes into contact with. TUE 8 18:10 VUE4 FRI 11 LUMIÈRE CINÉ 20:45 XYZ Memento Films Daniel Noah, Vincent Tavier,

Nicolas Cage, Cage, Nicolas Thomas Gioria, Thomas Richard Stanley, Fabrice du Welz, Richard Stanley. Fabrice du Welz. MON 7 MON 20:30 PCC THU 10 18:15 PCC Dir Prod Josh Waller, Whalen, Lisa Elijah Wood. Scr Amaris. Scarlett With Richardson, Joely Arthur. Madeleine USA 2019. 111min. Sales Dir Prod Manuel Chiche, Barbaroux. Violaine Scr Romain Protat, Vincent Tavier. With Harduin, Fantine Poelvoorde. Benoît Belgium-France 2019. 98min. EST. Sales International COLOR OUT OF SPACE ADORATION

and social commentary, which promises to be one which promises and social commentary, of the year’s most subversive genre films. most subversive genre of the year’s Paranoia reigns in this arresting hybrid of body horror hybrid of body horror in this arresting Paranoia reigns in contemporary Turkey. Big Brother is watching… Big Brother in contemporary Turkey. Mehmet, the superintendent of a dilapidated high-rise apartment block is tasked with overseeing the installation of a government-imposed satellite dish, designed to monitor information in the building. Shortly after construction begins, the portentous death of an engineer suspicious signals the arrival of something far more surveillance. As inexplicable transmissions than mere so does a strange infiltrate the homes of the residents, the walls. Invoking the black ooze that seeps through of by way of early Cronenberg preoccupations corporeal The Iron Man – and a dash of Lamberto Bava’s Tetsuo: Behram’s – Orçun in for good measure Demons 2 thrown beauty, dystopian sci-fi shocker is a thing of grotesque of speech an audacious allegory for freedom offering Michael Blyth FRI 4 20:50 VUE6

SCI-FI AND HORROR CULT UNCLASSIFIABLE TO FANTASY, FANTASY, TO UNCLASSIFIABLE FROM THE MIND-ALTERING AND FROM THE MIND-ALTERING Orçun Behram.

Orçun Behram, Ihsan Önal, THU 3 20:40 PCC 20:40 Stray Dogs Stray Gül Arici. Turkey 2019. 115min. EST. Sales Dir-Scr Prod Müge Özen. With THE ANTENNA CULT

FRI 11 SUN 13 WED 9 THU 10 18:20 NFT1 13:10 VUE5 18:10 PCC 12:45 TCR DOC DEERSKIN THE EL DUCE TAPES LE DAIM Dir-Scr One man’s love for his designer jacket escalates Dir-Scr Assembled from a treasure trove of archive VHS Quentin Dupieux. to dangerous heights in what might just be the Rodney Ascher, footage, the wild story of punk rock’s most outrageous Prod David Lawrence, Mathieu Verhaeghe, strangest serial killer film ever made. Ryan Sexton. provocateur is not for the faint of heart. Thomas Verhaeghe. To say that Georges has a fetish for deerskin would be Prod Typically seen sporting an executioner’s hood, Eldon Hoke, With Jean Dujardin, an understatement. In fact, his dedication to his textile Tim Kirk. or El Duce as he was more commonly known, was the Adèle Haenel, USA 2019. Albert Delpy. of choice is so unwavering, the recent divorcé blows 106min. lead singer of Seattle DIY punk outfit The Mentors – France 2019. his entire life savings on the vintage fringe jacket of his Prod Co a grossly offensive shock rock band who gained notoriety 77min. dreams. With nothing but his new coat for company, New City Road in the late 1980s/early 90s for their staggeringly unpleasant EST. UK Distribution Georges holes up in a remote country inn (using his lyrics and scandalous onstage antics. At the peak of Picturehouse wedding ring as collateral) where he imagines being El Duce’s infamy, daytime soap actor Ryan Sexton spent Entertainment the only jacket-wearer in the world. When he meets countless hours documenting the daily shenanigans an aspiring film editor named Denise (Adèle Haenel), of this self-appointed enfant terrible, leaving behind Georges masquerades as an independent filmmaker, a bounty of VHS footage. Three decades later, Rodney concocting a bizarre plan to make his outerwear Ascher (Room 237, The Nightmare) and David Lawrence fantasy a reality. Boasting a riotous performance from have pieced together a fascinating portrait of an often- Jean Dujardin as the pelt-loving evangelist, the ever- inscrutable man, which doesn’t seek to redeem him, but unpredictable Quentin Dupieux’s wickedly acerbic, to question whether his incendiary persona was an act of deliciously deranged black comedy is a tailor-made hateful propagation or political subversion. Michael Blyth cult classic. Michael Blyth

FRI 4 MON 7 WED 2 SAT 5 18:30 VUE5 17:50 VUE6 20:30 PCC 15:30 VUE5 DOC KOKO-DI KOKO-DA LEAP OF FAITH

Dir-Prod-Scr If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of Dir-Scr 46 years ago, The Exorcist terrified an entire generation Johannes Nyholm. a very nasty surprise… Alexandre O Philippe. of cinema-goers. Now we explore what really went With Ylva Gallon, Prod Leif Edlund Johansson, Three years after a shattering personal tragedy, Elin and Kerry Deignan Roy. into the making of a horror masterpiece. Peter Belli. Tobias’ marriage is at breaking point. Consumed with USA 2019. Having previously stepped into the shower for his Sweden-Denmark unresolved pain and anger, the sparring pair head to 104min. exhaustive study of Psycho’s most famous scene with 2019. Prod Co 86min. the great outdoors for a camping trip in the hopes of Exhibit A Pictures 78/52, and boarded the Nostromo for the far reaches UK Distribution salvaging their fractured relationship. But unbeknownst to of space in Memory: The Origins of Alien, acclaimed Picturehouse these unhappy campers, they are not alone in the forest documentarian Alexandre O Philippe turns his attention Entertainment and soon Elin and Tobias find themselves trapped in to another landmark of genre cinema – The Exorcist. a nightmarish cycle of torment and degradation from Framed around an epic six-day interview with director which there appears to be no escape. Delivering on the William Friedkin, Philippe’s expertly assembled analysis is promise of his extraordinary Sutherland-nominated film not just an in-depth musing on one of the most influential The Giant (LFF 2016), director Johannes Nyholm’s uncanny and widely acclaimed horror movies of all time, but also exploration of the devastating and disorienting forces of an enlightening and intimate portrait of one man’s creative grief is a mystifying melange of phantasmagorical horror, process. Passionately discussing his influences, from pitch black comedy and searing psychodrama that, quite Carl Theodor Dreyer to Caravaggio, and interrogating the simply, has to be seen to be believed. Michael Blyth obsessions he has returned to throughout his filmmaking career, Friedkin makes for a riveting subject – reflective, insightful and often disarmingly candid. Michael Blyth

78 #LFF SAT 5 MON 7 TUE 8 FRI 11 SAT 12 SUN 13 18:00 NFT1 15:30 VUE5 18:15 ICA 20:45 NFT1 12:00 VUE6 20:50 SOHO BRITISH LITTLE MONSTERS THE LODGE

Dir-Scr Abe Forsythe. Lupita Nyong’o shines in a delirious zom-com Dir Veronika Franz, Goodnight Mommy directors Veronika Franz and Prod Jessica Calder, that guarantees you’ll never listen to Taylor Swift Severin Fiala. Severin Fiala take us to a remote cabin in the woods Keith Calder, Prod Simon Oakes, Steve Hutensky, in the same way again. Aliza James, for their spine-chilling sophomore feature. Jodi Matterson, Dave is at a crossroads in his life. Recently dumped Aaron Ryder. After the sudden death of their beloved mother, Bruna Papandrea. and with his aspirations of heavy metal stardom fading Scr Sergio Casci, heartbroken siblings Aidan and Mia struggle to embrace With Lupita Nyong’o, Veronika Franz, Josh Gad, away, the eternal man-child is forced to crash on his Severin Fiala. their father’s new fiancée – the reserved, somewhat Alexander England. sister’s sofa. However, things look up when he meets With Riley Keough, mysterious Grace. Forced to spend the holidays together Australia-USA-UK the effervescent Miss Caroline, his 5-year-old nephew’s Jaeden Martell, at their isolated family lodge, the kids begrudgingly find 2019. Richard Armitage. 94min. favourite teacher. Desperate to spend time with the UK-USA 2019. themselves alone with their new mother figure when their UK Distribution object of his affection, Dave signs up to chaperone 100min. dad heads back to work for a few days. As the weather Altitude Film a school trip to the local petting zoo. But when the Sales FilmNation outside worsens, tensions inside the cabin show little Entertainment neighbouring military base accidentally unleashes a hoard Entertainment signs of thawing. Meanwhile, dark secrets from Grace’s of zombies upon the unsuspecting farmyard, Dave, traumatic past slowly begin to surface. Beautifully shot Miss Caroline and their miniature posse must join forces by cinematographer Thimios Bakatakis (The Lobster, to keep the flesh-eating army at bay. Earning its place The Killing of a Sacred Deer) and featuring a mesmerising alongside modern undead comedy classics Shaun of performance from Riley Keough as a woman haunted by the Dead and Zombieland, this raucous outing has more the ghosts of her past, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s gags, gore and unashamed sentimentality than you can claustrophobic shocker wields the power to unsettle right shake a severed limb at. Michael Blyth from its opening moments. Michael Blyth CULT

SUN 6 MON 7 TUE 8 TUE 8 THU 10 20:50 EMPIRE 15:30 PCC 12:50 VUE4 20:40 SOHO 20:50 TCR SYNCHRONIC VIVARIUM

Dir Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Spring, The Endless) Dir Lorcan Finnegan. Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg play a pair of Justin Benson. return to the LFF with their latest hallucinogenic Prod first-time buyers who get more than they bargained for Prod Brendan McCarthy, David Lawson Jr. excursion into the far reaches of the mind. John McDonnell. in this twisted fable about the horrors of suburban living. Scr Justin Benson. Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan star as a pair of Scr Garret Shanley. Young professionals Gemma and Tom are looking to buy With Anthony Mackie, paramedics traversing the nocturnal streets of New Orleans. With Imogen Poots, a home together. When their local estate agent informs Jamie Dornan, Jesse Eisenberg. Katie Aselton. More than just colleagues, the duo enjoy a long-standing Ireland- Belgium- them of a new housing development, the enigmatically USA 2019. friendship, supporting each other through the difficulties Denmark 2019. named Yonder, they ignore their initial reservations and 100min. they face in their increasingly complicated personal lives. 98min. decide to check it out. But this cautious couple should Prod Co Rustic Films UK Distribution But when they encounter a series of bizarre deaths which Vertigo Releasing have listened to their instincts, quickly finding themselves all appear to lead back to a new designer drug called unable to escape the seemingly endless maze of picture- Synchronic, the two men find their bond put to the test perfect streets. As the weeks pass, they are forced to as their worlds are unexpectedly thrown into chaos. accept they are trapped inside this manufactured utopia. Effortlessly blending heady metaphysics with relatable Then, one day, a baby boy is mysteriously delivered human emotion, co-directors Benson and Moorhead to their doorstep. Invoking both the mind-bending continue to prove themselves the masters of heartfelt weirdness of a classic Twilight Zone episode and the genre storytelling. Wildly imaginative, thrillingly eccentric playful contemporary satire of Black Mirror, Lorcan and positively dripping in potent foreboding, this is a trip Finnegan’s nightmarish jaunt up the property ladder is well worth taking – although where you’ll end up, as thrillingly provocative as it is wickedly enjoyable. Sold! nobody knows. Michael Blyth Michael Blyth

79 CULT WOUNDS 80 Netflix Distribution UK 96min. 2019. USA Beetz. Zazie Dakota Johnson, With Christopher Kopp. Anvari, Babak Prod Dir-Scr 17:50 SOHO 17:50 SUN 6 18:15 EMPIRE 4 FRI NIMIC SUICIDE BYSUNLIGHT Armie Hammer, Hammer, Armie Lucan Toh, Lucan Babak Anvari. Anvari. Babak 15:15 VUE4 15:15 8 TUE TCR 12:45 5 SAT Perennial slacker Will spends his nights getting drunk spendshisnightsgettingdrunk Perennial slackerWill to leave. that slowlyburrows itswayunderyourskinandrefuses of pitch-perfectgenre scares andunnervingambiguity sweat-soaked feverdream deliversaspellbindingmix Ballingrud’s Filth’,BabakAnvari’s novella‘TheVisible and unspeakablemalevolence.Adaptedfrom Nathan himself andCarrieintoatwistedwebofritualviolence mysterious textsbegintoappear, slowlyenvelopingboth As hetriestoreturn themobiletoitsrightfulowner, abandoned cellphoneamongstthebloodywreckage. comesacrossbar brawlbreaks an outonenight,Will Will’s lifeismostlyfree ofstress. Butafteraviolent Despite theoccasionalfightwithhisgirlfriendCarrie, with friendsatthediceydivebarhetendsinNewOrleans. Armie HammerandDakotaJohnsonare drawninto unconventional follow-uptoUndertheShadow. a bizarre nightmare inBabakAnvari’s fascinatingand Michael Blyth 15:00 VUE7 15:00 SUN 6 RAIN, RUNAWAY

including violence and graphic images. images. graphic and violence including themes, and content explicit contains programme This warning: Content Total runningtime106min with unexpectedandfar-reaching ramifications. (Matt Dillon)cellistwhohasanencounterwithastrangeronthesubway, Yorgos Lanthimos(TheLobster, NIMIC is forced torestrain herbloodlusttoregain custodyofherestrangeddaughters. Valentina, aday-walkingblack vampire protected from thesunbyhermelanin, SUICIDE BY SUNLIGHT take adarkerturn. Beth isseeminglylost.Asshewandersaround seekinghelpfrom strangers,things WHITE GIRL car rideandhasanunfortunateaccident. In aworldwhere deerare thedominantspecies,onealphamalegoesforanevening ROADKILL her companionhaveanadventure filledwithsquirtguns,cicadasandraindances. Left toherowndevicesduringanAugustheatwave,aseven-year-old wildchild and RAIN, RUNAWAY Featuring MaxinePeake(FunnyCow,thisFestival’s FannyLye Deliver’d). by illnessesaffecting bothbody andmind–onephysicallytheotherpsychologically. A nightmarish,contemporaryvision.Two adultsistersexistdysfunctionally, eachlimited BE STILLMYBEATING HEART During anabortion,17-year-old Yang givesbirthtoalivejellyfishinherbathroom. WHAT DOYOU KNOW ABOUTTHEWATER ANDTHEMOON WHEN YOU THINKYOU KNOW HOW ITENDS Sales 92min. 2019. USA McHale. Jeffrey Prod Dir YOU DON’TNOMI 18:40 VUE5 18:40 2 WED From encountersintheunlikeliestofplacescityyousleepin,to doppelgängers, theoutcastsandweirdos. world.Meetthe brightest ofdaysinplacesyou’llnevervisitasupernatural Jeffrey McHale. McHale. Jeffrey Ariana Garfinkel, XYZ Films XYZ Dir Yorgos Lanthimos. Germany-UK-USA 2019. 12min Germany-UK-USA Lanthimos. Yorgos Dir Dir Leszek Mozga. UK 2019. 8min UK Mozga. Leszek Dir Dir Nadia Latif. UK 2019. 13min UK Latif. Nadia Dir Dir Nikyatu. USA 2018. 17min USA Nikyatu. Dir Dir Clémentine Carrié. France 2019. 15min. EST 2019. 15min. France Carrié. Clémentine Dir 18:15 PCC 18:15 3 THU bfi.org.uk/join up close get Members BFI Michael Blyth years later. Now, passmethatDoggyChow! a filmthatweare stilltryingtounderstandallthese Don’t Nomimakesafascinatingcasefor–andagainst to anessayfilmthanaconventionaldocumentary, You on oneofcinema’s mostbaffling creations. More akin a chorusofcritics,academicsandfanstohavetheirsay evolution ofatruecultclassic,Jeffrey McHaleassembles his rivetinganddeftlycine-literateinvestigationintothe passed, perceptions ofthefilmhavegraduallyshifted.In Razzies. Buttimeisagreat healer, andastheyearshave audiences, theonlyplaceitfoundanylovewasat the wrong reasons. Reviledbycriticsandignored by sleaze-fest When itopenedin1995,PaulVerhoeven’s big-budget 2019. 25min UK Paxton. Ruth Dir Paul Verhoeven’s much-malignedmasterpieceisplaced the oneandonlyShowgirls. under themicroscope inthisfascinatingruminationon The Favourite)tellsthestoryofaprofessional was the talk of the town – for all Showgirls wasthetalkoftown–forall DOC ElaineWong Dir Jian Luo. China 2019. 16min. EST 2019. 16min. China Luo. Jian Dir

CREATE

Keith Shiri DOC Manish Agarwal DOC SUN 6 SUN 14:45 VUE4 The Rock and Con Air, sound editor Midge Costin and precision the life of an extraordinary man whose the life of an extraordinary and precision long after his death. myth and music has endured directorial debut is an immersive, educational and directorial exploring the powerhugely enjoyable documentary of sound in cinema. An outstanding documentary that unravels with skill Faders on stun: Hollywood sound editor Midge Costin’s sound editor Midge Costin’s Faders on stun: Hollywood Fela Kuti inspired a generation of Africans and African Fela Kuti inspired Americans with his own unique style of music, known jazz, highlife, A combination of Afropop, as Afrobeat. juju and funk, it was infused with social and political criticism of the military dictatorship in Nigeria. With an footage, expertly assembled mix of interviews and archive a complex portrait of Joel Zito Araújo presents director man. A deserving winner an enigmatic and often troubled for Best Film at FESPACO, of the Paul Robeson Award largest film festival, in Burkina Faso, My Friend Africa’s in its exploration of one of the Fela is uncompromising whose most charismatic artists of the late 20th century, as principles and actions have sometimes proven as they have been inspirational. problematic and explains aural artistry in cinema. The film’s ambitious and explains aural artistry in cinema. The film’s to last year’s the silent era through runs from chronology Roma (LFF 2018), spotlighting the innovations of New ’ sound and Star Wars Murch Hollywood legend Walter also an enlightening interview designer Ben Burtt. There’s 1976 vehicle whose stereophonic with Barbra Streisand, A Star is Born made the theatrical experience fit for audiophiles. Other big names include Steven Spielberg, though Sofia Coppola and Ryan Coogler, David Lynch, is on unsung technicians, especially emphasis Costin’s skills shape and mixing board women, whose recording the way we hear movies. Having honed the sonic impact of blockbusters such as has a blast with her hugely informative and entertaining that explores debut, an immersive documentary directorial SAT 5 12:45 NFT2 WED 9 15:45 NFT3

Wide House Wide Midge Costin, Costin, Midge Joel Zito Araújo, Bobette Buster. Midge Costin. Costin. Midge FRI 4 20:45 NFT2 TUE 8 20:50 PCC Dir Prod Bobette Buster, Karen Johnson. Scr USA 2019. 94min. UK Distribution Dogwoof MY FRIEND FELA MAKING WAVES: THE ART OF CINEMATIC SOUND THE ART OF CINEMATIC MAKING WAVES: Dir-Scr Joel Zito Araújo. Prod LuizaBotelho Almeida. Brazil 2019. 94min. Sales

DOC Manish Agarwal

trumpet-playing prince of darkness receives the candid trumpet-playing prince of darkness receives genius deserves. documentary his controversial All that jazz (and so much more): 20th century music’s 20th century music’s All that jazz (and so much more): on black cultural identity and doesn’t flinch from discussing flinch from on black cultural identity and doesn’t ravagesdrug-fuelled violent, the of a troubled and icon. troubling searing autobiography. The film also explores his impact his The film also explores searing autobiography. Veteran documentarian Stanley Nelson takes on the Veteran and myriad contradictions of multifaceted creativity two hours. This detailed, textured Miles Davis in a mere jazz newbies something for all, from offers chronology in the ocean of to viewers who’ve long been drowning the musician’s from music that poured genre-expanding magically muted trumpet. Miles Davis: Birth of the five decades of sonic innovation: Cool swings through the ambient bop to heavenly orchestrations, hard from acoustics of Kind of Blue to the funky fusion of Bitches and of electrifying archive trove a treasure Brew. It’s authoritative interviewees (including several collaborators and ex-lovers), which smartly deploys extracts from Miles’s

SAT 12 12:30 PCC IN ALL ITS FORMS IN ALL ITS OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS, OF THE CREATIVE

CREATE CELEBRATING ARTISTIC EXPRESSION ARTISTIC CELEBRATING FILMS THAT CHANNEL THE ELECTRICITY CHANNEL THE ELECTRICITY FILMS THAT Nicole London, London, Nicole Stanley Nelson. Nelson. Stanley THU 10 20:30 SOHO Eagle Rock Rock Eagle Entertainment Dir Prod Nelson. Stanley USA-UK 2019. 115min. DistributionUK MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL MILES DAVIS: CREATE

WED 2 FRI 4 SAT 5 SUN 6 21:10 VUE5 12:45 NFT2 DOC 15:30 SOHO 20:30 VUE4 DOC RECORDER: THE MARION STOKES PROJECT SHOOTING THE MAFIA

Dir Matt Wolf. The taped crusader: VHS nerds, media scholars and Dir Kim Longinotto. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Kim Longinotto Prod Kyle Martin, archive enthusiasts will appreciate this documentary Prod Niamh Fagan. (Dreamcatcher) sketches a captivating portrait of Andrew Kortschak, With Letizia Battaglia. Walter Kortschak. about the African-American activist who recorded Ireland-USA 2019. defiant Sicilian photographer Letizia Battaglia, whose USA 2019. 30 years of TV news. 97min. extraordinary work recorded the Mafia’s violent crimes. 87min. Everyone’s an amateur archivist these days, but few UK Distribution There was little to hint at Letizia Battaglia’s skill as a Sales CAA Modern Films match the pre-internet dedication of public access TV crime-scene photographer. In her 40s, stuck in a stuffy producer Marion Stokes. Philadelphia’s visionary hoarder bourgeois household and battling with depression, recorded 70,000 VHS tapes filled with news broadcasts, she took a job as a photographer for a Palermo-based from 1979’s Iranian hostage crisis to the Sandy Hook newspaper. Planning to document ordinary people’s school shooting in 2012. Recorder: The Marion Stokes lives, she soon found herself recording the reign of Project shows how this librarian, computer collector terror inflicted on the city’s inhabitants by the Mafia. and Star Trek-loving civil rights activist quickly perceived Those photographs are, by turns, visually dazzling and the ways 24-hour cable television was rewiring viewers’ shocking. Narrated by Battaglia, who is now in her 80s, minds. Hence her obsessive preservation project, Shooting the Mafia combines archive footage from the captured to brilliant effect by celebrated documentarian era when Palermo was besieged by the Cosa Nostra, Matt Wolf, who previously directed Teenage (LFF 2013). alongside details of the photographer’s intrepid personal Enhanced by Owen Pallet’s score, the film’s cathode life. It’s a poignant and inspiring account of a free-spirited ray tube textures and armchair sensory overload will woman profoundly attached to her city and ready to fight mesmerise everyone, from curious cultural historians to for it regardless of the danger to her own life. Laure Bonville extreme analogue technology fetishists. Manish Agarwal Screen Talk: Kim Longinotto p108

SAT 5 SUN 6 SAT 12 SUN 13 20:45 MAYFAIR 12:30 EMPIRE DOC BRITISH 21:00 NFT1 11:30 OLLS DOC BRITISH SID & JUDY SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME

Dir Stephen Kijak. Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, Judy Garland’s Dir Mike Figgis. Mike Figgis’ enthralling documentary about Prod Diane Becker, post-MGM triumphs and tragedies are vividly recalled Prod Peter Worsley, the turbulent life and career of Ronnie Wood, John Battsek. Louis Figgis. With Jon Hamm, in a revelatory documentary that utilises her impresario UK 2019. legendary rock guitarist and long-time member Jennifer Jason Leigh. husband Sidney Luft’s memoirs. 71min. of The Rolling Stones. UK 2019. Marking the 50th anniversary of her death, this is a UK Distribution Ronnie Wood is a genuine, 24-carat rock star guitarist. 97min. Eagle Rock UK Distribution heartbreaking, frequently witty and vividly atmospheric Entertainment He has paid his dues, played hard, lived fast (in every UPHE Content Group account of Judy Garland’s turbulent relationship with third sense) and somehow survived to tell the tale. And tell husband Sid Luft, who produced her 1954 comeback it he does, in Mike Figgis’ revealing, biographical musical A Star is Born. That movie was part of a hugely documentary, which charts Wood’s stellar and storied stressful late-career renaissance that included countless career. From his childhood and entry into the 1960s TV specials and epic stage appearances, notably her music scene, through to his time with the Jeff Beck classic 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. Ingeniously directed Group, achieving fame with The Faces alongside by LFF regular Stephen Kijak, Sid & Judy has Mad bandmate Rod Stewart and finally becoming an Men’s Jon Hamm narrate Luft’s candid memoirs, with indispensable and permanent member of The Rolling Jennifer Jason Leigh voicing Garland. Their voices are Stones, Figgis captures it all. Featuring terrific archive interwoven with rare archive material – including revealing footage, along with candid interviews with a very excerpts from Judy’s personal recordings – that cover charismatic Wood and his many legendary friends, the rollercoaster final years of a showbiz giant and this is the perfect rock and roll treat. Adrian Wootton quintessential gay icon, whose professional highs and private lows proved indivisible. Manish Agarwal

90 BFI Members get close up bfi.org.uk/join SUN 6 TUE 8 TUE 8 WED 9 15:00 MAYFAIR 20:40 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 20:45 ICA 15:40 NFT2 DOC THE SONG OF NAMES TALKING ABOUT TREES

Dir François Girard. Starring Tim Roth and Clive Owen, François Girard’s Dir-Scr This beautifully shot feature debut, winner of the Prod Robert Lantos, riveting period drama is a musical odyssey and Suhaib Gasmelbari. Berlinale Best Documentary Award, couldn’t be Lyse Lafontaine, Prod Marie Balducchi. Nick Herschkorn. historical detective story set against the backdrop France-Sudan- timelier for Sudan. Scr Jeffrey Caine. of the Holocaust. Germany-Chad-Qatar The northeast African country is in a state of political With Clive Owen, Dovidl is an Polish Jew and a violin prodigy who, during 2019. and cultural instability, the result of unresolved trauma Tim Roth, 93min. Catherine McCormack. the Second World War, comes to study in London. UK Distribution from decades of war and an increasingly hostile attitude Canada-Hungary 2019. He lives with a gentile family, initially attracting the New Wave Films towards culture that has resulted in the disappearance 111min. jealousy of Martin, his host’s son. But what starts of countless cinemas. Filmmaker Suhaib Gasmelbari Sales HanWay Films out as an unusual coming-of-age story soon morphs follows Ibrahim Shadad, Manar Al Hilo, Suleiman into something much darker and deeper, when Dovidl Mohamed Ibrahim and Altayeb Mahdi, four veteran disappears on the eve of his first major concert. members of the Sudanese Film Club, as they embark Then, 40 years on, an adult Martin (Roth) embarks on a journey in which they aim to return cinemagoing on a country-crossing detective hunt to establish culture back to the country. In the years that it has been exactly what happened to his adopted brother (Owen). absent, theatres have been turned into mosques and A musically marvellous historic saga by Girard (Thirty Two factories. But these men are passionate and determined Short Films About Glenn Gould, The Red Violin), this is also to restore neglected classics from Sudan’s cinematic a terrific adaptation of Norman Lebrecht’s acclaimed first past. They face religious and political resistance from novel, which won the Whitbread Award. Adrian Wootton all corners, but Gasmelbari presents their mission with affection, guile, dignity and humour. Keith Shiri CREATE

SAT 12 SUN 13 FRI 11 SAT 12 SUN 13 15:10 ICA 17:40 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 21:00 MAYFAIR 13:15 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 12:15 VUE6 DOC TO LIVE TO SING YVES SAINT LAURENT: THE LAST COLLECTIONS CÉLÉBRATION Dir-Scr Johnny Ma. Gentrification hits working-class China and a Sichuan Dir Olivier Meyrou. Withheld from release for nearly 20 years, this exquisitely Prod Vincent Wang, Opera troupe struggle to survive in this vivid drama Prod crafted and moving documentary observes the last few Jing Wang. Bénédicte Couvreur, With Zhao Xiaoli, with fantasy flourishes, portraying tradition’s battle Christophe Girard. years in the company of style icon Yves Saint Laurent. Gan Guidan, Yan Xihu. against time. France 2018. In the late 1990s, director Olivier Meyrou spent several China-France 2019. Zhao Li is a woman trying to hold it all together. 74min. years filming behind the scenes at one of the most 105min. EST. EST. The Sichuan Opera troupe she manages is creating UK Distribution renowned Parisian haute couture houses, as Yves Saint Sales beautiful work, but it plays to a dwindling audience MUBI Laurent was working on his final collection. He reveals the Films Boutique of the loyal elderly from the theatre’s down-at-heel busy world of a fashion house, the seamstresses at work, neighbourhood. With the troupe consisting mainly of the beautiful clothes and flamboyant catwalks. But what veteran performers, her hopes for a change in fortune emerges most powerfully is the power dynamics between rest on the shoulders of her talented niece Dan Dan. an ageing and reclusive Saint Laurent and an overbearing So, Zhao Li sets about putting on a show to grab Pierre Bergé, the designer’s partner in business and life. the attention of a local bureaucrat who could reverse Shot in 16mm, alternating between B&W and colour, their eviction notice. For his second feature, Chinese- and accompanied by François-Eudes Chanfrault’s boldly Canadian filmmaker Johnny Ma corrals a cast made experimental sound design, this is a unique, beautifully up of real-life Sichuan Opera performers, painting this textured and imaginative testament to the fashion makeshift family in brightly coloured hues, and injecting visionary’s legacy. Could this have been the inspiration for humour and splashes of fantasy into this engaging Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread? Laure Bonville tribute to the endurance of the artistic spirit. Kate Taylor

91 THE CULTURE Online culture is now all-consuming, and constantly changing through fast-moving technology, both welcome yet terrifying in terms of what comes next. The films here illustrate those cultures brilliantly, whether on a personal level of daily life or the bigger political picture. Philip Ilson

PILE Dir Toberg. UK 2019. 3min

CREATE A vertical habitat that takes us from daily survival to the unhinged dystopia of late capitalism.

Dir Manu Luksch. Austria-UK-Senegal 2019. 14min. EST 21XOXO ALGO-RHYTHM A hip hop musical, shot in Dakar, using Senegalese musicians and artists, which deconstructs comprehensive threats to human rights posed by the rise of the algorithmic management of daily life via social media and online platforms.

THE SASHA Dir Maria Molina Peiró. Netherlands 2019. 20min In 1972, the astronaut Charles Duke landed on the Moon with Apollo XVI and was in charge of taking photos of the lunar surface. An exploration of space to cyberspace, from analogue to a virtual Moon in Google Earth today.

#21XOXO Dir Sine Özbilge, Imge Özbilge. Belgium 2019. 9min A girl’s online search for love in times of social media, speed dating, cyberlove, hipster culture and post-net attitudes. Contains flashing images. POMPEII ZOMBIES Dir Harry Lighton, Marco Alessi, Matthew Jacobs Morgan. UK 2019. 9min Tam (femme, black, 25) gets on the first tube home, plugs themselves into their phone and begin reliving their night out via social media stories.

TERTIARY SOUND Dir Solomia Dzhurovska, Luca Struijk. UK 2019. 9min ASMR: A feeling that disappears because it’s too subtle to notice, leaving a trace of a soft tingling sensation behind.

SWATTED Dir Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis. France 2018. 21min. Online game trolls make a sport of getting other players ‘swatted’ live during the game, by finding out names and addresses, and then making bogus 911 calls. The film uses these calls by offenders, YouTube videos of games and raids, and first-hand accounts.

ZOMBIES Dir Baloji. Belgium-Democratic Republic of the Congo 2019. 15min. EST Tribal motifs and digital culture collide exploring the stupefying effects of mobile technology. SWATTED

FRI 11 SUN 13 Total running time 100min 20:45 TCR 18:10 NFT2

Image: Loulou

Maurice Pialat LFF Half Page Ad 2019_08 FINAL.indd 1 08/08/2019 15:48 EXPERIMENTA

BRITISH Sarah Perks Dir Emilia Izquierdo. UK 5min 2019. Dir Reetu Sattar. Bangladesh 2018. 14min 2018. Bangladesh Sattar. Reetu Dir Helen de Witt performances, reappraising for a contemporary copla performances, reappraising the ‘deathless woman’. Roma expressed through the supernatural through myth of Roma expressed singers are the focus of this evocative film. singers are Spanish popular copla songs and their mighty female This is an elegiac account of the Nazi genocide of theThis is an elegiac account Researching this hidden history, an artist is impelled to this hidden history, Researching leave dusty documents behind and follow the story die.of a woman who was shot eight times but does not The soaring camera mimics her spirit as it haunts theThe soaring camera mimics her spirit as it haunts isbeautiful landscapes that hide such ugly crimes. She persecution, but also a witness to a harbinger of future their unique the survival of a people that persist through spirituality. genre of A personal essay film on the powerful copla genre Spanish music, a form of popular song that flourished in the 1930s and 40s. Copla communicates a specifically failed, often illegitimate, and sadness from female sorrow love or ostracism. in unrequited that result relationships and texture the strength Filmmaker Nina Danino reveals of her own memories of her audience whilst revisiting mother singing. + LOST TUNE Compelling performance of long notes on the traditional Bangladeshi harmonium and shehnais – instruments on the brink of disappearance in contemporary society. subverts past bodily expression. + GHOST DANCE footage of Native Emerging with flickering intensity from American rituals, an animated dance appears which

FRI 11 STUDIO 18:40 SAT 12 STUDIO 17:00

Roz Mortimer. Marifé de Triana, Triana, de Marifé Iveta Kokyová, SAT 5 20:50 NFT3 SUN 6 SUN 18:10 NFT3 I DIE OF SADNESS CRYING FOR YOU Dir-Prod-Scr Danino. Nina With Figueroa, Yolanda Danino. Elena UK 2019. 70min. DistributionUK LUX THE DEATHLESS WOMAN THE DEATHLESS Dir-Scr With Loren O’Dair, Malik. Oliver UK 2019. 89min. Prod Co Films Wonderdog

Helen de Witt of artist George Maciunas traces the history of the of footage, recreation Fluxus movement though rare happenings and interviews with key figures. Executive produced by Jonas Mekas, this portrait Executive produced

in tandem. An epic journey with many angles and perspectives, moving to New York, the film starts in Lithuania before Maciunas became an exceptional artist émigré where and Dada. The film in the Soviet avant-garde with roots uncovers his complex character and distinctive practice, that imitated a whole creativity expounding the rebellious international movement of artists, composers, designers and poets in the 1960s and 70s, and whose radical legacy playful editing evokes powerfully The film’s endures. meaningful is more process where Fluxus, of tenet key a than end product. original interviews with and Archival and commentators, including Mekas and artists major a scintilating portrait of underground Ono, create Yoko radical art, drug experimentation, where New York; gentrification existed gender diversity and encroaching FRI 11 STUDIO 13:00 EXPERIMENTA PASS EXPERIMENTA

FILMS BY ARTISTS THAT THAT ARTISTS FILMS BY OUR VISION OF CINEMA USE PROMO CODE ‘EXPERIMENTA’.

REVOLUTIONISE AND RESHAPE REVOLUTIONISE

MENTA EXPERI- David Koh George Maciunas, George Maciunas, SUN 6 SUN 20:50 NFT3 SEE ANY 3 EXPERIMENTA PROGRAMMES FOR ONLY £21. ONLY FOR PROGRAMMES SEE ANY 3 EXPERIMENTA Jonas Mekas, Ono.Yoko USA 2018. 120min. Sales Dir-Prod-Scr Jeffrey Perkins. With GEORGE: THE STORY OF GEORGE MACIUNAS AND FLUXUS EXPERIMENTA

SAT 5 SUN 13 FRI 4 FRI 11 17:30 NFT3 15:00 ICA 20:40 NFT3 15:50 STUDIO OUVERTURES RUPTURES KOPUŞLAR Dir Louis Henderson, Reflecting on the legacy of Haitian revolutionary Dir Brad Butler & In Turkey, an MP, a former Police Commissioner, Olivier Marboeuf. Toussaint L’Ouverture, Ouvertures follows a collective’s Noorafshan Mirza. a right-wing assassin wanted by Interpol and Prod Louis Henderson, Scr Birgül Ogˇuz, Olivier Marboeuf, process of translating Édouard Glissant’s play Noorafshan Mirza, a woman named Yenge are all involved in a car crash. Sarah Perks. Monsieur Toussaint from French to Creole. Brad Butler. In this three-chapter, fictionalised re-imagining of real events, With The Living and Shot in Haiti and France by artists Louis Henderson With Murat Erkek, a post-patriarchal near future is proposed as the The Dead Ensemble. Devrim Evin, France-Haiti-UK 2019. (The Sea is History) and Diana Vidrascu (Le Silence Yasmine Alice. archetypal characters’ conversations bring up issues of 140min. Des Sirènes), this is the recording of a major international Turkey-UK 2019. corruption and inequality. Throughout the film, Yenge’s EST. work that was directed by The Living and the Dead 66min. voice begins to interrupt the bravado of the male Prod Co UK Distribution LUX Spectre Productions Ensemble, an artist collective from Haiti, France and characters, leading to tales of women’s emancipation the UK, who bring an embodied and contemporary and empowerment, barrier-breaking and activism. perspective to the history of the only uprising of Rabz Lansiquot enslaved peoples that led to the creation of a state. Through complex conversations and performances + IN VITRO Dir Larissa Sansour, Soren Lind. UK-Palestine-Denmark 2019. 28min. EST of key texts, Ouvertures considers ideas around Decades after an eco-disaster engulfs the biblical city language and translation as well as major themes of Bethlehem, two scientists from different generations of colonialism, power, cultural memory, generational discuss memory, exile and nostalgia in this symbolic trauma, knowledge and resistance. This film will be speculative fiction. presented as a Work in Progress. Rabz Lansiquot

FRI 4 SAT 12 18:00 NFT3 14:30 STUDIO TROUBLE

Dir Mariah Garnett. A personal account of an estranged father set against Prod Manal Laginaf. the Northern Ireland conflict, this is a brave debut With Robyn Reihill, Mariah Garnett. feature from Los Angeles artist Mariah Garnett. USA-UK 2019. A 1971 BBC documentary about love across the 83min. religious divide of Northern Ireland is the starting point of Prod Co Mariah Garnett this heart-breaking story of a woman reuniting with her estranged father after many years. Los Angeles-based artist Mariah Garnett picks up her personal story with interviews and investigations revealing the traumatic effects of political upheavals on Belfast communities then and now. Garnett adds a queer playfulness through an incredible performance as her father, alongside multiple camera formats that interrogate constructions of identity. A remarkable debut film created partly with a local crew in Belfast, featuring trans actress Robyn Reihill as Garnett’s mother. Sarah Perks

94 Buy tickets bfi.org.uk/lff 020 7928 3232 (10:00 – 20:30 daily) EXPERIMENTA 95

Dir Adina Camhy. Austria 8min 2019. Dir Nazli Dincel. USA-Canada 13min 2018. Dir Anna Vasof. Austria 5min 2018. Dir James Richards. Germany-UK 5min 2019. Dir Timothy Smith. UK 9min. 2019. Dir Farah Al Qasimi. United Arab Emirates-USA 40min 2019.

Dir Ming Wong. Senegal-China-Germany 15min. 2019. EST

Dir Sharlene Bamboat. Canada 2018. 19min 2018. Canada Sharlene Bamboat. Dir Dir Mairéad McClean. UK 14min 2019. Dir John Smith. UK 3min 2019. UM AL NAAR Dir Bea Haut. UK 1min 2019. Dir Talena Sanders. USA 5min 2019. SUNU JAPPO Dir Lamba. Trim UK 9min 2019. Sarah Perks Dir Morgan Quaintance. UK 16min 2019. Dir Enoch Cheng. Hong Kong S.A.R 11min. 2019. Dir Anne-Marie Copestake. UK 16min 2019. Dir David Leister. UK 5min 2019. Dir Sky Hopinka.USA 10min 2019. Helen de Witt to the past. boundaries that define present-day society, including geopolitics, technology, including geopolitics, technology, society, boundaries that define present-day is only conceivable in relation neo-colonialism and how the human future Films that dispel visual certainties to present new optical perceptions. perceptions. new optical to present certainties dispel visual Films that This programme is an international cinematic adventure roving across the across roving is an internationalThis programme cinematic adventure of decolonialisation. Black Civilisations, recently built by China and conceived as a powerful symbol built by China and conceived as a Black Civilisations, recently Exploration of the Chinese-Senegalese relationship, featuring the Museum of featuring Exploration of the Chinese-Senegalese relationship, the impending environmental catastrophe? the impending environmental NEW WORLD ORDER NEW WORLD BROKEN NEWS of (Cracked Screen) new short looks at the exploitative circulation Lamba’s Trim video on the internet. UNCONTROLLABLE UNIVERSE animating Prize-nominated artist James Richards, A pan and zoom essay by Turner material and scans of medical equipment. still life, found archive QUEERING DI TEKNOLOJIK and avert patriarchy capitalist Did we manage to dismantle the white supremacist COCKTAIL the the dislocated people, creating internal economic migration through China’s Hong Kong artist and curator Enoch Cheng. from cities of the future, HAND IN HAND MOTHER OF FIRE and Confessional TV documentary following an ancient Jinn called Mother of Fire her ruminations on the history of the UAE, colonial meddling and contemporary museum display practice. Eurocentric running time 89min Total GONG deconstructed. company emblematically British film The greatest KITCHEN BEETS semiotics. merging of musicality and The domestic TO MAKE A FILM INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW serious not sexy? Think again. Think 16mm filmmaking is MUYBRIDGE’S DISOBEDIENT HORSES employed as cinematographic mechanisms. are Everyday objects and movements EASTERN STATE oldest US mental health institutions communicatesFound footage of one of the purpose.something beyond its intended YEARS EARLY story of a Jamaican child living in Southend. the Family photographs reconstruct LORE new apparitions. to create a lightbox images dance around Transparent VIDEO HOME SYSTEM under censorship in the 1980sHow bootleg video kept the Pakistani film industry alive and 90s. TOGETHER MENSCH MASCHINE OR PUTTING PARTS Why? instead of a synthesiser. a female artist give her a food processor of Parents OF GRACE A STATE Safety is not funny except when experienced by this artist. DRAWN A LINE WAS borders. of restrictive the creation through structured Delineations of control A LOVE and absence that become ritualised in An engagement with love and loss, presence need for recognition. running time 115min Total DOUBLE VISION DOUBLE

HAND IN HAND DI TEKNOLOJIK QUEERING BROKEN NEWS LORE MUYBRIDGE’S DISOBEDIENT HORSES GONG SAT 5 14:45 NFT3 SUN 6 SUN 12:30 NFT3 STRATEGIES OF REFUSAL This programme brings together works that represent the breadth and complexity of resistance across the African Diaspora, considering spirituality, music and arts alongside protest as key interventions for freedom. Rabz Lansiquot

SOJOURNER Dir Cauleen Smith. USA 2018. 23min Honouring the Black feminist activists of the past and present, Cauleen Smith re- imagines Noah Purifoy’s Desert Museum in California as a utopian community. EXPERIMENTA Dir Zinzi Minott. UK 2019. 9min SOJOURNER FI DEM II An investigation of Blackness, labour, diaspora and family heritage through archive, glitch, strobe and sound. A commitment to the Windrush generation.

PRIMEIRO ATO Dir Matheus Parizi. Brazil 2019. 19min. EST Theatre students André and Gabriel drum up support for resistance against the dismantling of culture policies in Brazil.

PATTAKI Dir Everlane Moraes. Cuba 2018. 21min. Under the light of the moon, a community affected by water scarcity marvel at the power of the Oricha˙ water deity Yemaya˙.

OH MY HOMELAND Dir Stephanie Barber. USA 2019. 4min Great soprano Leontyne Price attempts to maintain her composure on stage as she receives adoration from her audience at her 1985 farewell opera. PRIMEIRO ATO PELOURINHO, THEY DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT US Dir Akosua Adoma Owusu. Ghana 2019. 9min. Referencing a 1927 letter from WEB Du Bois to the Brazilian Embassy, colourful footage illustrates an exploration of anti-blackness in Brazil. BLACK BUS STOP Dir Kevin Jerome Everson, Claudrena N. Harold. USA 2019. 9min A performative reclamation of a site of resistance through dance for African American students.

Total running time 94min

PELOURINHO, THEY DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT US

SAT 5 12:30 NFT3

WHAT REMAINS A series of artists’ short films that explore the effects of human and capitalist destruction of the natural world. Rabz Lansiquot

KASITERIT Dir Riar Rizaldi. Indonesia 2019. 18min An exploration of the materiality and signiﬁcance of tin, technology and the labour dynamics of Indonesia’s Bangka island. THAT WHICH IS TO COME IS JUST A PROMISE Dir Flatform. Italy-Netherlands-New Zealand 2019. 22min A single long shot explores the possibility of Tuvalu’s submergence under water, KASITERIT a transformation that scientists have predicted will happen in the next 30 years.

CLOUDBERRIES Dir Ruth Maclennan. UK-Russia 2019. 22min. Everyday lives carry on in a small ﬁshing village in the Kola Peninsula of Arctic Russia during the hottest summer on record.

ANTARCTIC TRACES Dir Michaela Grill. Austria-Canada 2019. 30min Exploring parts of Antarctica through literary sources and the history of the whaling industry to illuminate the void left behind after human exploitation.

Total running time 92min

CLOUDBERRIES

ANTARCTIC TRACES

SUN 6 15:20 NFT3

96 See something different player.bfi.org.uk EXPERIMENTA 97

William Fowler Need a boost? Come to the Experimenta Mixtape and refresh your senses. the Experimenta Mixtape and refresh Need a boost? Come to TUE 8 18:00 NFT3 EXPERIMENTA MIXTAPE LFF SPECIAL MIXTAPE EXPERIMENTA The Experimenta Mixtape is a joyful, provocative experiment in cinema experiment is a joyful, provocative The Experimenta Mixtape last over the developed and refined and spectatorship. Nurtured, programming for the London Film a very special edition now present year at BFI Southbank, we the whole point of the Mixtape: in it? No! That’s Festival. Can we tell you what’s only given out at notes are and programme announced in advance no films are unknown, with the promise the end. So take a seat and immerse yourself in the films cinema and artist film history and a rich weave of archival of travel through will be no introductions There making powerful connections to the contemporary. on the specific context of the film or discussion and this edition will reflect festival itself.

Helen de Witt Rabz Lansiquot 2K restoration of the Super8 original is profound of the Super8 original is profound 2K restoration in its expression of the eternal feminine.in its expression A monumental work of sublime beauty, this exquisite beauty, A monumental work of sublime and an ethics of interpersonal relationships, which is and an ethics of interpersonal relationships, founded in the artists’ own double authorship. a deep, nocturnal feminine that emerges from an embodied experience subterranean darkness. We a sensuous through cinematic experience realised a strange and invited to enter aesthetic as we are uncertain world of inner depths and hypnotising effects. women actantes, embodied we encounter three There, figures female magical and mythic play who artists, the by such as Medusa and Salome. They metamorphose, body vibrates into the dance and enter trances where themselves out of silence reveal transformation. Figures and an eternalwhich is both the moment of creation that which is inactual and The film itself actualises reality. poetics of intimacy a gives form to blackness through Astarti, the Greek name for Ishtar, is an archetype of is an archetype name for Ishtar, Astarti, the Greek TREASURES A.S.T.A.R.T.I. Maria Klonaris, Klonaris, Maria , featuring Taylor Le Melle, Rabz Lansiquot, Representation and Praxis, featuring Taylor Co Maria Klonaris, Klonaris, Maria FI DEM II the issues that matter to both artists and audiences. Join a selection of practitioners working with the moving image to discuss FRI 4 13:00 ICA SAT 12 19:30 NFT3 Parvaneh Navaï, Thomadaki. Katerina France 1980. 165min. Prod Restored from Super 8 in 2K by the Direction du Patrimoine Cinématographique, CNC under the supervision of Thomadaki. Katerina Dir-Scr Thomadaki. Katerina With The Experimenta Debate is a discursive event drawn from the LFF Experimenta The Experimenta Debate is a discursive event drawn from that brings together thinkers and practitioners to consider programme contemporary issues in artists moving image. Following the success of last year’s event Quaintance, this year’s Akingbade and Morgan Ayo Emma Wolukau-Wanambwa, Experimenta Debate will follow up on key issues of access, activism and praxis in terms of artists’ practice in response to current critical theories. Full details of critical theories. Full to current in terms of artists’ practice in response the event (including speakers) will be announced in the coming weeks, so please do check the website for further information. THE EXPERIMENTA DEBATE THE EXPERIMENTA UNHEIMLICH II: ASTARTI UNHEIMLICH II: ASTARTI NETFLIX PROUDLY CONGRATULATES ALL OF THIS YEAR’S SELECTIONS

BFI_LFF_Ad_420x297_AW.indd 1 09/08/2019 14:02 NETFLIX PROUDLY CONGRATULATES ALL OF THIS YEAR’S SELECTIONS

BFI_LFF_Ad_420x297_AW.indd 1 09/08/2019 14:02 SAT 12 15:30 CINÉ LUMIÈRE THE BEARS’ FAMOUS INVASION LA FAMEUSE INVASION DES OURS EN SICILE Dir Lorenzo Mattotti. Bears and humans just don’t get on. In this adaptation Prod of Dino Buzzati’s classic story we find out why. Valérie Schermann, An old bear is awkened from hibernation by a showman FAMILY Christophe Jankovic. Scr Thomas Bidegain, and his assistant, who stumble into his cave to escape Jean-Luc Fromental, the snow. They tell him how, once upon a time, bear Lorenzo Mattotti. prince Tonio went missing and this loss, combined With Leïla Bekhti, Thomas Bidegain, with a lack of food, led the bear king and his subjects TICKETS Jean-Claude Carrière. to approach the humans for help. However, mankind CHILD £1 France-Italy 2019. mistook this for a hostile invasion. With a wizard playing 82min. both sides, nothing goes to plan. This children’s classic ADULTS £10 EST. Sales is joyous depicted by Lorenzo Mattotti, who makes each Pathé Films frame look like a work of art. Beautifully executed, it presents a compelling story that works on different levels depending on the age of the viewer. Justin Johnson FILMS FOR THE YOUNG... Suitable for age 8+ AND YOUNG AT HEART

SAT 5 SUN 13 15:10 NFT2 13:00 NFT2

JACOB, MIMMI AND THE TALKING DOGS LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM Dir-Scr Dir Edmunds Jansons. A sassy group of talking dogs give plenty of attitude A teacher struggling for inspiration travels to the most Pawo Choyning Dorji. Scr Liga Gaisa, to Jacob and his cousin Mimmi. They also help out Prod remote school in the world. It takes being so far away Edmunds Jansons. when a local park is threatened. Pawo Choyning Dorji, to understand the importance of his work... and to Prod Sabine Anderson. Steven Xiang, With Eduards Olekts, appreciate the value of yak dung! When his father goes away, Jacob is sent to stay with Stephanie Lai, Nora Džumaˉ, his cousin Mimmi in a suburb of Riga. Mimmi wants to Honglin Jia. Struggling with his chosen profession, Ugyen is disappointed Andris Keišs. With Sherab Dorji, to learn that in his final year of training he’ll be sent to Latvia-Poland 2019. disrupt plans to build in the local park, a development Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, 70min. that will cause the loss of trees and adversely affect Lunana, in northern Bhutan – a staggering seven-day Kelden Lhamo Gurung. EST. the community. She recruits Jacob to assist her. Bhutan 2019. walk from the nearest drop off point. The high altitude Sales New Europe On encountering a group of local dogs, Jacob is 109min. and lack of amenities finds Ugyen wanting to leave Film Sales surprised when they speak to him and he decides EST. almost as soon as he arrives. But the local children Sales welcome him and try to win him over. But they don’t to enlist them in battling the local construction works. Pawo Choyning Dorji But things don’t quite go as planned. This lovely, have long – he must decide whether to stay or go before unconventional Latvian animation has heaps of charm the punishing winter reaches this glacial part of the and offers an inspiring look at how we can work together, Himalayas. Filmed using cameras operating on solar- particularly to protect the environment.Justin Johnson powered batteries, this is a charming drama that gives insight into a part of the world rarely seen on the screen. Suitable for age 6+ Justin Johnson Subtitled in English. An actor will read out the subtitles via headphones for younger audiences. Suitable for age 8+ Subtitled in English. An actor will read out the subtitles via headphones for younger audiences.

100 #LFF SUN 6 SUN 6 13:30 NFT2 15:45 NFT2 THE PRINCE’S VOYAGE MY EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER WITH TESS LE VOYAGE DU PRINCE MIJN BIJZONDER RARE WEEK MET TESS Dir This exceptional animated film comes from the mind Dir Steven Wouterlood. 10-year-old Sam’s summer holiday takes an unexpected Jean-François Prod Joram Willink, turn when he crosses paths with an unusual and Laguionie, of Jean-François Laguionie and follows his earlier Piet-Harm Sterk. Xavier Picard. feature fascinating girl. A Monkey’s Tale. Scr Laura van Dijk. Prod Tom, a simian boy, discovers a simian adult on a beach. With Sam and his family are spending their summer vacation Armelle Glorennec, He takes him to his home, situated in an old museum, Sonny van Utteren, on a Dutch island. But it’s not going particularly well. Eric Jacquot. Scr Jean-François where the older man claims to be Prince Laurent from Josephine Arendsen, Mum keeps suffering from migraines, his brother has a Julian Ras. Laguionie, across the ocean. But in Tom’s world, overseas visitors broken ankle and Sam, who has a morbid streak, prepares Anik Le Ray. Netherlands-Germany are little more than the subject of legends. The Prince 2019. for the fact that he might outlive his family. But everything With Enrico Di Giovanni, and the boy become friends and, much to the dismay 82min. changes when he meets Tess, a strong-willed yet vulnerable EST. Thomas Sagols. of Tom’s guardians, they decide to explore the unusual girl who is prone to the unexpected. She’s hiding a secret France-Luxembourg Sales Picture Tree world, where strangers are not welcome. Laguionie and International and before long things start to go wrong. This Dutch 2019. 77min. co-director Xavier Picard ( family film, based on the book by Anna Weltz, is a hugely Moomins on the Riviera EST. 2014) have created a very special, thought-provoking, LFF enjoyable drama dealing with themes of self-discovery, Sales adventure that will stay with you long after the credits roll. mortality and first love. Justin Johnson Urban Distribution International Justin Johnson Suitable for age 8+with one scene of strong swear words. Suitable for age 8+ Subtitled in English. An actor will read out the subtitles Subtitled in English. An actor will read out the subtitles via headphones for younger audiences. via headphones for younger audiences.

NORTHERN IRELAND'S ONLY OSCAR®-AFFILIATED FILM FESTIVAL MON 7 SAT 12 SUN 13 18:20 IMAX 13:00 NFT2 13:00 PCC EXPERIENCE THE HISTORIC CITY OF DERRY~LONDONDERRY – A WARM WELCOME AWAITS! WHITE SNAKE BÁISHÉ: YUÁNQ Dir Amp Wong, In this visually ravishing animation, a girl with magical Ji Zhao. gifts embodies the Chinese legend of the White Snake, Prod Di Cui, in a land of magic, demons and plenty of snakes. Gary Wang. Scr Da Mao. Blanca wakes up in a remote village with no memory With Zhe Zhang, of who she is or how she got there. Xuan, the snake- Tianxiang Yang. China-USA 2019. catcher who saved her, helps to search for clues that 98min. might lead to her true identity. As fragments of her EST. memory return, Blanca discovers that she has magical Sales gifts, and also skills as a kickass assassin. Both come All Rights Entertainment in handy when it’s time to save the world from warring demons. Fresh from its success in China,White Snake features gorgeous serpentine design, eye-popping characters – including a shape-shifting jade weapons shop owner – and landscapes rendered in exquisite 15 - 24 NOVEMBER 2019 detail, which will look even more sssssensational WWW.FOYLEFILMFESTIVAL.ORG in our IMAX screening. With it’s jaw-dropping spectacular of a climax, animation fans will definitely find it time well serpent! Justin Johnson

Suitable for ages 10+

101 ANIMATED SHORTS FOR YOUNGER AUDIENCES This eclectic, exciting and colourful selection of animated short films include themes of friendship and home. This year, alongside films from the UK we present new work from Disney, Dreamworks and Studio Ponoc. Justin Johnson Suitable for all ages.

BIG WOLF & LITTLE WOLF Dir Rémi Durin. France-Belgium 2018. 14min. EST FAMILY Big Wolf likes living on his own. Then Little Wolf shows up.

EXCHANGE STUDENT Dir Natalie Nourigat. USA 2019. 2min BIG WOLF & LITTLE WOLF A girl from Earth attends alien school. NEST Dir Sonja Rohleder. Germany 2019. 4min A bird of prey is keen to make a special friend.

GOOD HEART Dir Evgeniya Jirkova. Russia 2018. 5min A cavewoman wants her family to be happy and healthy.

MAROONED Dir Andy Erekson. USA 2019. 8min A robot stranded on the moon longs to return to Earth.

JUST A THOUGHT Dir Brian Menz. USA 2019. 3min Ollie’s thoughts take on a life of their own.

JERICHO Dir Sarah Andrews, Aaron Hopwood. UK 2019. 1min A robot decides to build a friend. EXCHANGE STUDENT THE PENGUIN WHO COULDN’T SWIM Dir Tom Rourke. UK 2018. 5min A penguin feels isolated.

HOME SWEET HOME Dir Maria Robertson. UK 2019. 1min Will the sweets ﬁnd their way home?

KANINI & KANINO Dir Hiromasa Yonebayashi. Japan 2018. 18min Two crab brothers search for their father in this new ﬁlm from Studio Ponoc.

Total running time 61min

KANINI & KANINO

SAT 5 12:00 NFT1

Image: Brief Encounter

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Julie Pearce Robin Baker a must for any pre-Code fans, Wanda Tuchock’s film Tuchock’s fans, Wanda a must for any pre-Code drama. is a hugely enjoyable romantic compassionate immersion into the vicious worldcompassionate immersion in 19th century London. experienced by ‘freaks’ Condemned by the Legion of Decency and therefore Condemned by the Legion of Decency and therefore John Hurt is exceptional in David Lynch’s in David Lynch’s John Hurt is exceptional Virginia Radcliff (Frances Dee) is enrolled at the exclusive (Frances Dee) is enrolled Virginia Radcliff Van Miss Hall finishing school by her mother. Crockett Alstyne (Beulah Bondi), the head of the school, informs her new student of the strict rules of ladylike conduct, ‘I’m not an animal. I’m a human being. I am a man!’‘I’m not an animal. I’m a John Hurt stars as John Merrick, a young man with show deformities, exhibited in an East End freak severe (Anthony by a surgeon until his plight is discovered him sanctuary at the London Hopkins), who offers the critical success of Eraserhead, from Hospital. Fresh – but no straightforward a more created David Lynch albeit this time based of horror, – vision less rewarding grime of Victorian and London The terror on a true story. Francis’ black-and-white by Freddie is vividly captured by with added authenticity provided cinematography, Wharf including Butler’s the city, location shooting across also a film packed with Station. It’s and Liverpool Street regular, Lynch cameo performances, including great Jones. the brilliant Freddie Cecilia Ferris (an energetic roommate but Virginia’s Ginger Rogers) soon sets her straight. The giant what students care do not really hypocrisy is that staff do as long as it never becomes public and stains the is one of the Tuchock of the school. Wanda reputation in the silent era and few women who began her career maintained it during the early sound years, a time where than they even less represented female voices were This new 35mm print is a testament to her today. are this era. importance as a filmmaker from

Jonathan Sanger. Sanger. Jonathan Frances Dee, Anthony Hopkins, David Lynch, Wanda Tuchock, Tuchock, Wanda David Lynch. WED 9 18:15 NFT3 SUN 13 SUN 16:10 NFT1 THE ELEPHANT MAN Dir Jr. George Nichols With Ginger Rogers, Burke. Billie USA 1934. 73min. Prod Co RKO Radio Pictures Preserved by the Library of Congress THE FINISHING SCHOOL Dir Prod Scr Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren. With Hurt, John Bancroft. Anne USA-UK 1980. 123min. DistributionUK STUDIOCANAL Exclusive 4K supervised restoration by David Lynch, graded in Fotokem LA, restored managed, and finished by Ritrovata. L’Immagine

Robin Baker

Dir Goderdzi Chokheli. Georgia 1981. 14min 14min 1981. Georgia Chokheli. Goderdzi Dir authenticity with rich cinematic invention in this subtly tale that echoes Cult Gala The Lighthouse. homoerotic Visionary filmmaker Jean Epstein blends documentary galvanises the neighbouring community. Jean Epstein’s Jean Epstein’s galvanises the neighbouring community. timeless narrative about survival in extremis is underpinned images, techniques and deeply resonant by avant-garde lighthouse or the sight of women such as the recurrent Even without like giant black birds. sheltering by rocks sound you can almost hear the ocean. This is a film about the possibilities of cinema and anyone thinking of picking up a camera should watch and be inspired. it challenges the boundaries of their relationship and it challenges the boundaries of their relationship On a tiny island off Brittany two young men eke out a On a tiny island off living by harvesting seaweed to burn for prized soda. When one of them cuts his thumb and an infection sets in, + THE FIRST FOOT the deserted, snow- the past echo through from Voices stone houses in a village in the Caucasus Mountains. covered Live musical accompaniment by Stephen Horne THU 3 20:40 NFT2 THE WORLD’S ARCHIVES THE WORLD’S REVIVED AND RESTORED FROM REVIVED AND RESTORED Jean Epstein. WED 2 20:30 NFT3 Dir France 1929. 80min. Prod Co Générale Société de Films Restored in 4K in by Gaumont2019 in the with collaboration Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image L’Immagine animée at laboratory Ritrovata from the negative Cinémathèque at held française.

FINIS TERRAE TREASURES TREASURES

TUE 8 THU 10 FRI 11 18:00 CINÉ LUMIÈRE 15:00 STUDIO 18:30 NFT3 ILLUSTRIOUS CORPSES THE JUNIPER TREE CADAVERI ECCELLENTI Dir Francesco Rosi. Now restored, Francesco Rosi’s conspiracy thriller Dir-Scr A teenage Björk stars in this Brothers Grimm Scr Francesco Rosi, about an investigation into the killing of a public Nietzchka Keene. adaptation, which finds witchcraft thriving in the wilds Tonino Guerra. Prod Nietzchka Keene, With Lino Ventura, prosecutor is a brilliant exercise in cinematic paranoia. Patrick Moyroud. of medieval Iceland. Renato Salvatori, Based on a novel rather than real events, but no less With When their mother is killed for suspected witchery, Max Von Sydow. worrying for that, it finds Inspector Rogas (Ventura) Björk Guðmundsdóttir, sisters Katla and Margit go searching for a new home. Italy-France 1976. Bryndis Petra 120min. searching for the culprit and reaching the conclusion – Bragadóttir, Soon Katla entrances a shepherd widower and becomes EST. as he wanders the corridors of power and the murders Valdimar Örn his wife, while Margit spends her days in nature and Prod Co mount up – that there could be a labyrinthine conspiracy Flygenring. begins to experience visions of her own. Opening with P.E.A. – Produzioni USA 1990. Europee Associate on a national scale. Less journalistic in tone that Rosi’s 78min. a T.S. Eliot quote, The Juniper Tree is suffused with a earlier films, this is persuasively politicised film noir, with literary sensibility in the form of poetry, songs and bible Restored by the Sales Arbelos Cineteca di Bologna at Pasqualino De Santis’ stylish cinematography and the readings. This Bergman-esque folk tale was the feature L’Immagine Ritrovata atmospheric use of monumental architecture invoking the Restored by the debut by Nietzchka Keene, a female director who made laboratory and The shadows of Italy’s past. The extraordinary cast includes Wisconsin Center two more films before dying of cancer, aged 52, in 2004. Film Foundation, with such iconic figures as Alain Cuny, Max Von Sydow, for Film & Theater As Margit, the young Björk is a major presence and the funding provided by Research and The the George Lucas Fernando Rey and Charles Vanel; none, however, is as Film Foundation, with film shows a strong connection – in its mythic storytelling Family Foundation eloquent or powerful a presence as Ventura, effortlessly funding provided by and its evocation of landscape as rough, tangible and expressive of Rogas’s cool intelligence, professional the George Lucas salty – to the drama and themes of her subsequent integrity and quiet determination. Geoff Andrew Family Foundation. art and music. Kate Taylor

SUN 6 WED 9 SAT 12 SUN 13 15:15 NFT1 13:15 NFT2 15:10 NFT3 20:30 STUDIO THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH MUNA MOTO

Dir-Prod An uncanny tale from the pen of Poe, directed Dir-Scr Jean-Pierre Muna Moto is a welcome restoration of a classic social Roger Corman. by Roger Corman and starring Vincent Price – Dikongué-Pipa. realist African masterpiece that champions the ideals Scr Charles Beaumont, With Philippe Abia, R. Wright Campbell. a match made in Heaven. Or Hell! Arlette Din Bell, of Third Cinema aesthetics. With Vincent Price, Corman’s seventh Poe screen adaptation is set in David Endéné. Ngando (David Endéné) and Ndomé (Arlette Din Belle) Hazel Court, Medieval Italy, where the Devil-worshipping Prince Cameroon 1975. are deeply in love. Ngando wishes to marry Ndomé. Jane Asher. 89min. EST. USA-UK 1964. Prospero (Vincent Price) holes up in his castle with his Prod Co But he is poor and cannot afford a dowry, making him 92min. acolytes, to avoid the plague devastating the country. Cameroun Spectacles unable to fulfil the tradition. And according to the village Restored by the Here he stages decadent entertainments in his opulent Restored by Cineteca tradition, she must take a husband. After a meeting, Academy Film ballroom (the sets, reused from Becket, won a British di Bologna/L’Immagine the villagers decide that Ndomé should marry Ngando’s Archive and The Film Academy Award), during which he indulges his sadistic Ritrovata and The childless uncle, Mbongo (Philippe Abia), who already has Foundation, with Film Foundation’s funding provided by whims, relishing humiliation and torture in the pursuit World Cinema Project. three wives. In despair, Ngando decides to something the George Lucas of gratification. Into this den of evil comes innocence Funding provided by unthinkable on the day of the wedding. Shooting mainly Family Foundation. and faith in the shape of a village girl (Jane Asher), the George Lucas with available light and in crisp black and white, acclaimed Family Foundation. Images courtesy of making Prospero question the sinful path he has chosen. director Jean-Pierre Dikongué-Pipa achieves a perfect the Margaret Herrick This restoration is Library at the Academy The lavish costumes and sets are photographed in part of the African balance of poetry and richly compelling visuals. If this Film Archive sumptuous colour and expansive Cinemascope by Film Heritage Project, weren’t enough, the hauntingly atmospheric score by Nicolas Roeg, making this one of Corman’s most created by The Film legendary Cameroonian composer Georges Mouangue visually exciting Gothic offerings. Josephine Botting Foundation, FEPACI Anderson adds wonder to this already inspiring film. and UNESCO – in collaboration with Keith Shiri Cineteca di Bologna.

104 BFI Members get close up bfi.org.uk/join THU 3 THU 10 WED 2 15:00 NFT1 18:30 NFT3 18:15 NFT3 LOS OLVIDADOS PARIS QUI DORT

Dir Luis Buñuel. Luis Buñuel’s searingly powerful account of the Dir-Scr René Clair. Now part of the sci-fi canon, Rene Clair’s witty fantasy is Prod Óscar Dancigers, brutalised lives of delinquent Mexico City street kids Prod a youthful ‘what if?’ whose delightful airiness will linger. Sergio Kogan, Henri Diamant-Berger. Jaime Menasce. fuses stark realism with surrealist flourishes, and With Henri Rollan, A young man, the night watchman on the iconic Eiffel Tower, Scr Luis Alcoriza, re-established his international reputation Madeleine Rodrigue, wakes to find he is alone in the world. Descending from Luis Buñuel. Twenty years after his scandalous surrealist masterpieces, Albert Préjean. his iron eyrie, all is eerily frozen, apart from a few souls With Alfonso Mejía, France 1924. Stella Inda, Buñuel again outraged with this lacerating portrait 59min. who have escaped a mad scientist’s immobilising ray. Miguel Inclán. of Mexico City’s street kids. Drawing from first-hand Prod Co The streets of Paris briefly become a Garden of Eden to Mexico 1950. accounts, Buñuel follows swaggering hoodlum Jaibo, Les Films Diamant. play in, as the friends indulge in their new-found liberty. 81min. EST. Restored in 4K in 2018 Prod Co Ultramar Films who escapes from juvenile detention and enlists the Like Powell and Pressburger’s A Canterbury Tale, this is wide-eyed Pedro to help find the grass who put him by Fondation Jérôme a film to be carried in the heart. This English language Restored by the Film Seydoux- Pathé at Foundation’s World there. Shot quickly on a shoestring, the results hark to L’Immagine Ritrovata version, taken from the ‘A’ negative, was released in Cinema Project at the neorealist films of the day, but Buñuel has no time for laboratory from a tinted England in January 1925, shortly before it came out L’Immagine Ritrovata their occasional sentimentality – the poor here are not nitrate print preserved in France. Bryony Dixon in collaboration with by BFI National Archive Fundación Televisa, ennobled by poverty, but predatory, robbing even the with funding provided Live musical accompaniment by Costas Fotopoulos Televisa, Cineteca crippled and blind, and driven like anyone else by their by CNC – Centre Nacional México, animalistic urges. With its monochrome photography by national du cinéma et + EVERY DAY and Filmoteca de la the great Gabriel Figueroa now restored to its luminous de l’image animée Dir Hans Richter. UK 1929. 16min. Restored in 4K by UNAM. Restoration Cinémathèque suisse from a unique nitrate work print funding provided by glory, Buñuel’s ‘social-surrealist’ landmark is a primal Hans Richter, Sergei Eisenstein and others made this ‘city The Material World howl of a film – once seen, never forgotten. James Bell Foundation. Copyright symphony’ of the daily grind in London, presented here from to Televisa S.A. de C.V. a pristine 35mm source recently rediscovered in Lausanne. TREASURES

THU 10 SAT 12 SUN 13 20:50 NFT3 17:30 NFT3 14:00 NFT1 QUEEN OF DIAMONDS RIDE LONESOME

Dir-Prod-Scr One of the most subversive and originally independent Dir-Prod Budd Boetticher’s magisterial western, now newly Nina Menkes. films of the 1990s, Nina Menkes’ critically acclaimed Budd Boetticher. restored, stars Randolph Scott as a haunted loner With Tinka Menkes, Scr Burt Kennedy. Emmellda Beech, underground classic re-emerges in an essential With Randolph Scott, seeking vengeance in a bleak, elemental world full Kathryn Francomacaro. new restoration. Karen Steele, of dangerous strangers USA 1991. Set in a hallucinatory Las Vegas landscape and breaking Pernell Roberts. A highpoint in the ‘Ranown’ series of westerns its veteran 77min. USA 1959. Sales Arbelos new ground in cinematic language, Queen of Diamonds 73min. star made with Boetticher, writer Burt Kennedy and Restored by the tells the story of disaffected Firdaus (played by the UK Distribution producer Harry Joe Brown, this centres on a loner (Scott) Academy Film director’s sister Tinka Menkes), a struggling Blackjack Park Circus Limited who tracks down a killer and starts taking him to town Archive and The dealer at the Par-a-Dice casino, who is faced with a Restored in 4K by to face justice; presumably, like some of those they Film Foundation with missing husband and neighbouring domestic violence. Sony Pictures encounter on their perilous journey, he’s after the reward. funding provided by Entertainment. the George Lucas Awash in lush, hypnotic images, the action takes place Wetgate scanning, Only after they’ve been joined by an attractive widow, Family Foundation. An between glittering casino lights and a deteriorating desert digital image however, do the bounty hunter’s real intentions finally Arbelos Films Release. oasis. Loner Firdaus’ world unfolds as she drifts through restoration by Cineric, become clear. Boetticher and Kennedy excelled at Inc., NY. Color grading, a series of mundane, surreal and menacing encounters, conforming, additional working imaginative variations on classic western themes, with death and violence ever-present. Described by image restoration delivering intriguing narrative twists, psychological Menkes as ‘my very personal portrait of the US: an over- at Roundabout subtlety and moral complexity to hugely satisfying effect. enlarged, profit-motivated core surrounded by mute and Entertainment, The robust performances and stark Southwestern Santa Monica. arid alienation’, the film is a remarkable and provocative Audio restoration by landscapes, so evocative of violent trauma and bitter masterpiece of American independent filmmaking, ripe Deluxe Audio. betrayal, are vividly served by this new restoration. for critical evaluation. Julie Pearce Geoff Andrew

105 TREASURES

SAT 12 SUN 13 MON 7 WED 9 12:50 NFT3 18:30 STUDIO 18:15 NFT2 20:30 STUDIO DOC STAR-CROSSED LOVERS SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY KÖNIGSKINDER Dir Frank Beyer. The love rivalry between a young communist (the Dir Exuberant, joyous and deeply moving, this acclaimed Scr Edith Gorrish, excellent Armin Mueller-Stahl) and a Nazi SA officer George T Nierenberg. documentary celebrates American gospel music, Walter Gorrish. Prod With underpins this deeply rewarding Second World War-set George T Nierenberg, spotlighting giants of the business Willie Mae Ford Annekathrin Bürger, story from East Germany. Karen Nierenberg. Smith and Thomas A Dorsey. Armin Mueller-Stahl, Inspired by a German folk song, the ‘royal children’ USA 1982. In this masterful and beautifully restored observational Ulrich Thein. 101min. East Germany 1962. here are anti-fascist, working-class lovers Michael and Sales music documentary, George T Nierenberg captures 90min. Magdalena. When Michael is imprisoned and sent to Milestone Film & Video show-stopping musical performances interwoven EST. a penal battalion on the eastern front, he re-encounters Restored to 4K by with fascinating intimate, behind-the-scenes personal Prod Co DEFA Jürgen, once his rival for Magdalena’s love. Frank Beyer Metropolis Post moments. With unrivalled access, the film pays tribute Restored in 4K in 2018 was one of the greatest directors working at DEFA, and Milestone with to the lives and careers of the movement’s luminaries. by DEFA-Stiftung with support from the funding provided by East Germany’s state-owned studio. Together with National Museum These include ‘Mother’ Willie Mae Ford Smith, gospel’s Die Beauftragte der cinematographer Günther Marczinkowsky they created of African American diva and earth mother – a skilful singer and preacher Bundesregierung für a richly inventive style informed by the new Polish and History and Culture who championed equality for women – and ‘Professor’ Kultur und Medien at and the Academy Film L’Immagine Ritrovata Czech cinemas. Marczinkowsky’s black-and-white Archive. With restored Thomas A Dorsey, a blues player who turned to the laboratory from work is extraordinary, favouring high and low angles, Dolby Stereo and church and also became a prolific composer, songbook the original camera taking pleasure in the creative possibilities of light 5.1 soundtracks by publisher and concert organiser. Spotlighting the work of negative preserverd playing on water and capturing the confused, terrifying Audio Mechanics other artists such as Sallie Martin, the Barrett Sisters and at Bundersarchiv. brutality of the battlefield. The early 1960s were a brief the O’Neal Twins, this extraordinarily infectious and golden age for East German cinema and this is one deeply emotional concert film is a truly uplifting experience. of its masterpieces. Robin Baker Julie Pearce

Words by William Shakespeare Music by William Walton performed live by the Philharmonia Orchestra Laurence Olivier’s

SUN 6 12:00 NFT1 SWEET CHARITY

Dir Bob Fosse. Shirley MacLaine stars as unlucky-in-love taxi dancer Prod Robert Arthur. Charity Hope Valentine in Bob Fosse’s joyous HENRYV Scr Neil Simon. Live screening With Shirley MacLaine, adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. John McMartin, Heralding the start of BFI Musicals!, a major UK-wide Ricardo Montalban. celebration of the genre, this 50th anniversary screening USA 1969. 148min. of Bob Fosse’s directorial debut is a high-energy paean to Prod Co love, the 1960s and a showcase of his remarkable talent. Universal Pictures Fosse’s distinctive choreography, appetite for irony and The picture source bold editing ensure that his films are among the most vital element for this 4K in the musical canon, with ‘Big Spender’ and ‘Rich Man’s restoration was the 35mm original negative Frug’ – the inspiration for Beyoncé’s ‘Get Me Bodied’ of the roadshow video – among the stand-out numbers. MacLaine Thu 7 Nov, 7pm Tickets £12-£58 version. NBCUniversal replaced Broadway star Gwen Verdon, but she lights up Royal Festival Hall philharmonia.co.uk StudioPost conducted the work. the screen with Charity’s boundless joie de vivre. She’s brilliantly matched by Chita Rivera and the underrated Paula Kelly as her co-workers at the Fandango Ballroom. When they perform the breathless ‘There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This’ it’s hard not to think, no, there really isn’t. We will also be showing the rarely seen ten-minute alternative ending after the film. Robin Baker

106 Buy tickets bfi.org.uk/lff 020 7928 3232 (10:00 – 20:30 daily) BFI EDUCATION AT #LFF BRINGING THE FESTIVAL INTO FOCUS FOR YOUNG FILM LOVERS Curated screenings for primary and secondary school students with live screenings across the UK Online resources for teachers Future Film accreditation for 16-25 year olds Networking opportunities bfi.org.uk/lff/education Future Film is the BFI’s year round programme of career events, screenings and festival education for 16-25 year olds

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SURPRISE LFF FILM BOOTS RILEY – LFF 2018 WED 9 THU 10 CONNECTS 21:30 OLLS 15:00 OLLS

HEAR FROM ARTISTS WORKING AT After all these years it’s still the hottest ticket in town. But how do we follow up the THE INTERSECTION OF FILM AND doozy of 2018’s most-welcome of surprises OTHER CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN Green Book (with in-person appearances from Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali and THIS INSPIRING SERIES OF TALKS. CATE BLANCHETT – LFF 2017 director Peter Farrelly, no less)? Well, there’s PREVIOUS SPEAKERS INCLUDE only one way to find out – nab yourself a ticket. They say that fortune favours the CHARLIE BROOKER, DAVID HARE, brave, and we can guarantee that those CATE BLANCHETT, NITIN SAWHNEY, lucky enough to secure a seat will be very DAVID FINCHER AND fortunate indeed… LYNETTE WALLWORTH.

NITIN SAWHNEY – LFF 2017 SCREEN

GUILLERMO DEL TORO – LFF 2017 SUN 6 TALKS 15:30 ICA JOIN LEADERS IN CONTEMPORARY KIM LONGINOTTO

CINEMA FOR THIS SERIES OF We’re delighted to welcome back Kim Longinotto IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS. to the BFI London Film Festival. The director of Divorce Iranian Style (1998), Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Grand Jury Prize winner ANNETTE BENING – LFF 2017 PREVIOUS SPEAKERS INCLUDE Rough Aunties (2008) and 2015’s Dreamcatcher KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, will talk about her storied career and her powerful ALFONSO CUARÓN, new documentary Shooting the Mafia (p90): an eye-opening profile of Sicilian organised crime MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, photographer Letizia Battaglia.

LEE CHANG-DONG, See p90 for details of LFF Create strand screenings GUILLERMO DEL TORO AND of Shooting the Maﬁa. ANNETTE BENING. LEE CHANG-DONG – LFF 2018

108 See something different player.bfi.org.uk HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR FREE PROGRAMME

LITTLE WHITE LIES MOVIE QUIZ BBC R3 SOUNDS OF CINEMA WED 9 OCT CONCERT #LFF FOR From heroic heroines, famous final FRI 4 OCT lines and award-winning directors, to ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE Hollywood’s golden age, memorable The LFF hosts a special edition of EVENTS movie flops and the film world’s BBC Radio 3’s weekly film music THE FULL EVENTS PROGRAMME WILL BE REVEALED IN SEPTEMBER biggest franchises – come and programme Sound of Cinema with FREE test your film knowledge. Prizes to a concert of live music performed AT BFI.ORG.UK/LFF/EVENTS be won, glory to be claimed… by the BBC Concert Orchestra The festival fun doesn’t stop conducted by Ben Palmer, and presented by Matthew Sweet in when the credits roll. Come along to our the decayed Victorian splendour social hub at BFI Southbank for a brand new of Alexandra Palace Theatre. programme of free film events, designed to The programme reflects our Opening take you behind the scenes and get Night gala: The Personal History PITCHBLACK PLAYBACK of David Copperfield, with a wide the cinematic chat flowing. SUN 13 OCT ranging selection of music exploring Immersive, meditative album listening the world of Dickens on film. sessions in the dark. Enjoy classic TALKS & DEBATES album playbacks in our Studio screen, picked to complement some FREE SHORT FILM SCREENINGS of our music film selections. Prepare to experience music with more detail BOOK SIGNINGS and focus than ever before. DJ NIGHTS FRI 4, SAT 5, FRI 11, SAT 12 OCT DJ NIGHTS We are taking over Benugo Bar & Kitchen at the BFI Southbank from VIRTUAL REALITY SHOWCASE 21:00 til late for a series of DJ nights inspired by films in the Festival. Keep your eyes peeled for the full free programme reveal in September at bfi.org.uk/lff/events

COMEDYCOMEDY COLLECTOR’S EDITION RELEASES PACKED WITH RARE CONTENT AND PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE EPISODES

FEATURING Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Denise Coffey, Marty Feldman, Eric Idle, David Jason, Terry Jones, Aimi MacDonald, Michael Palin & The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band

AVAILABLE ON 3-DISC DVD BOX SETS AND ON DIGITAL Key: Early Years 95 Kanini & Kanino 102 Painted Bird, The 68 Uncontrollable Universe 95 Feature Title pXX Earthquake Bird 73 Kasiterit 96 Paris Qui Dort 105 Under Covers 64 Short Film Title pXX Eastern State 95 Keep Breathing 51 Passive Aggressive Dads 64 Unhiemlich II: Astarti 97 Easy Girl, An 82 Kids 76 Pattaki 96 Unknown Saint, The 63 El Duce Tapes, The 78 King, The 14 Peanut Butter Falcon, The 19 Us Among the Stones 86 Elephant Man, The 103 Kingmaker, The 40 Pelourinho, They Don’t Really Care #21XOXO 92 Ema 16 Kitchen Beets 95 About Us 96 Valley, The 58 37 Seconds 81 End of the Century 46 Knives Out 11 Penguin Who Couldn’t Swim, The 102 Video Home System 95 Abominable 16 End-O 71 Koko-Di, Koko-Da 78 Perfect 10 84 Vitalina Varela 70 Adolescents 81 Eternal Beauty 66 Krabi, 2562 24 Perfect Candidate, The 33 Vivarium 79 Adoration 77 Every Day 105 Personal History of David Copperfield, Aeronauts, The 12 Exchange Student 102 Lamb, The 71 The 9 Waiting for the Barbarians 59 Again Once Again 81 Eyes on the Road 76 Lara 47 Pile 92 Walking with Shadows 50 Algo-Rhythm 92 Last Black Man in San Francisco, The 36 Pink Wall 48 Warden, The 75 And Then We Danced 45 Family Romance LLC 66 Le Mans ’66 15 Piranhas 75 Watermelon Juice 51 Antarctic Traces 96 Fanny Lye Deliver’d 29 Leap of Faith 78 Pleasure, Comrades!, A 41 Welcome to the Ball 59 Antenna, The 77 Father, The 62 Let’s Roll 76 Portrait of a Lady on Fire 25 Western Stars 20 INDEX OF FILM TITLES Apart 59 Family Affair, A 64 Lighthouse, The 18 Premature 49 Wet Season 50 Appreciation 87 Fault Line 87 Line was Drawn, A 95 Primeiro Alto 96 What Do You Know About the Water and Arab Blues 61 Fi Dem II 96 Lingua Franca 30 Prince’s Voyage, The 101 the Moon 80 Atlantics 35 Finis Terrae 103 Little Joe 67 White Girl 80 Australian Dream, The 53 Finishing School, The 103 Little Monsters 79 Queen of Diamonds 105 Whistlers, The 76 Axone 61 Fire Will Come 67 Llorona, La 31 Queering Di Teknolojik 95 White Riot 41 First Foot, The 103 Lodge, The 79 White Snake 101 Babyteeth 35 First Love 23 Lore 95 Rain, Rain, Run Away 80 White, White Day, A 70 Bacurau 17 Funfair 71 Losing Pace 87 Rare Beasts 63 Workforce 59 Bad Education 21 Lost Lives 47 Real 49 Wounds 80 Be Still My Beating Heart 80 George: The Story of George Maciunas Lost Okoroshi, The 62 Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project 90 Beanpole 65 and Fluxus 93 Lost Tune 93 Rehearsal 51 You Don’t Nomi 80 Bears’ Famous Invasion, The 100 Ghost Dance 93 Love, A 95 Relativity 37 Yves Saint Laurent: The Last Collections Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, A Ghost Town Anthology 67 Love, Life and Laughter 24 Report, The 57 91 12 Girl with a Bracelet, The 54 Love Me Tender 68 Rewind 57 Zombi Child 70 Belle Époque, La 45 Give Me Liberty 83 Love the Sinner 64 Rialto 85 Zombies 92 Between 76 Gold-Laden Sheep & Sacred Mountain, Luce 55 Ride Lonesome 105 Big Toast 64 The 83 Lucky Grandma 63 Ridge 85 Big Wolf & Little Wolf 102 Gong 95 Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom 100 Roadkill 80 Blackbird 21 Good Heart 102 Lynn + Lucy 55 Rocks 26 Black Bus Stop 96 Gösta 23 Roots 87 Events Blackwood 59 Grandad Was a Romantic 64 Made in Bangladesh 56 Rose Plays Julie 33 Bombay Rose 22 Greed 13 Maggie 63 Run 85 Awards 28 Breast Friends 71 Guest of Honour 73 Mahalia Melts in the Rain 59 Ruptures 94 Experimenta Mixtape LFF Special 97 Broken News 95 GUO4 71 Make Up 37 The Experimenta Debate 97 Burning Cane 65 Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Saint Maud 34 Kim Longinotto Screen Talk 108 Burning Night 82 Hand in Hand 95 Sound 89 Sasha, The 92 By the Grace of God 53 Happy Birthday 46 Man Who Cuts Tattoos, The 68 Savage 75 Heart 46 Marooned 102 Say Amen, Somebody 106 Shorts Programmes Calm with Horses 36 Hidden Life, A 55 Marriage Story 15 Scales 37 Cave, The (Syria) 22 Home Sweet Home 102 Martha 87 Seberg 57 Close and Far (Debate) 59 Cave, The (Thailand) 73 Honey Boy 30 Martin Eden 56 Serious Tingz 64 Culture, The (Create) 92 Child 59 Hope Frozen 55 Marvelous Misadventures of the Stone Sharks, The 69 Double Vision (Experimenta) 95 Chlorine 59 Hope Gap 13 Lady, The 64 She Runs 87 Drive It Like You Stole It! (Thrill) 76 Circus of Books 82 Hot and Tasty 64 Masque of the Red Death, The 104 Shooting the Mafia 90 Animated Shorts for Younger Audiences Citizen K 53 House of Hummingbird 36 Maternal 47 Sid & Judy 90 (Family) 102 Clemency 54 House of Us, The 83 Matthias & Maxime 47 Sister 85 …In an Age of Consent (Love) 51 Climb, The 61 Humblebrag 71 Memoirs of a Geeza 71 Sky is Pink, The 49 Joy to The World… (Laugh) 64 Cloudberries 96 Mensch Machine or Putting Parts So Long, My Son 49 London Calling (Journey) 87 Cocktail 95 I am Mackenzie 76 Together 95 Sojourner 96 My Life, Whose Rules? (Journey) 87 Cold Case Hammarskjöld 39 I Am (Not) a Monster 40 Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool 89 Somebody Up There Likes Me 90 New World Order (Experimenta) 95 Color Out of Space 77 I Die of Sadness Crying for You 93 Miller & Son 87 Something in the Closet 87 Push the Button (Dare) 71 Cordillera of Dreams, The 82 I Lost My Body 67 Miracle of the Sargasso Sea, The 68 Son, A 57 Strategies of Refusal (Experimenta) 96 County Lines 54 If You Knew 87 Moffie 31 Song of Names, The 91 What Remains (Experimenta) 96 Coup 53 39 Illustrious Corpses 104 Monos 32 Spring Fever 51 When You Think You Know How It Ends Cunningham 40 In Between 59 Monsoon 84 Staff Only 58 (Cult) 80 In Vitro 94 Mother of Fire 95 Stand Still 87 Dad Joke 87 Incitement 74 Mr Jones 56 Star-Crossed Lovers 106 Dawn in the Dark 59 Instinct 36 Muna Moto 104 State of Grace 95 Dawn of a New Gay 64 Instructions on How to Make a Film 95 Muscle 74 Street, The 58 Days of the Bagnold Summer 62 I N T E R S T I C E 71 Muybridge’s Disobedient Horses 95 Stroker, The 51 Death Will Come and Shall Have Your Invisible Life of Euridíce Gusmão, My Extraordinary Summer with Tess Surprise Film 108 Eyes 45 The 83 101 Suicide By Sunlight 80 Deathless Woman, The 93 Irishman, The 10 My Friend Fela 89 Swatted 92 Deerskin 78 It Must Be Heaven 62 Mystify: Michael Hutchence 40 Sweater 64 Desrances 54 Sweet Charity 106 Disappearance of My Mother, The 46 Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs 100 Nest 102 Synchronic 79 Divine Love 65 Jallikattu 74 Nimic 80 System Crasher 69 Dogs Don’t Wear Pants 66 Jericho 102 Nocturnal 48 Don’t Look Down 66 Jojo Rabbit 14 Noura’s Dream 56 Talking About Trees 91 Duck Daze 51 Joanne of Pompeii 92 Tell Me Who I Am 58 Dude in Me, The 17 Judy & Punch 18 Oh My Homeland 96 Tertiary Sound 92 Dürrenwaid 8 76 Junior Bangers 76 Olla 71 That Which is to Come is Just a Promise Juniper Tree, The 104 Official Secrets 19 96 Just a Thought 102 Olvidados, Los 105 Thief’s Daughter, A 86 On a Magical Night 48 They 59 Öndög 84 This is Not Berlin 69 Online 51 Tic 64 Only the Animals 74 Tlamess 69 Ordinary Love 48 To Live to Sing 91 Orphanage, The 84 To the Ends of the Earth 86 Other Lamb, The 32 Traitor, The 75 Our Ladies 25 Transnistra 86 Our Sister 87 Trap, The 87 Ouvertures 94 Tremors 70 Overseas 41 Trigonometry 50 Trouble 94 Two of Us 50 Two Popes, The 20

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110 #LFF BFI MEMBERS GET CLOSE UP Don’t miss out on priority booking for #LFF

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