FESTIVAL PROGRAMME THE 13TH KESWICK FILM FESTIVAL contents FESTIVAL INFORMATION WELCOME 03/ WELCOME 04/ 2012 THEMES 07/ GUESTS THE 13TH KESWICK FILM FESTIVAL 09/ SPECIAL EVENTS 23–26 FEBRUARY 2012 To those of you who live here and support Iran, Canada and the US as well as the FILM LISTINGS the film club throughout the year, to the UK and this year we have a lot of pre- 12/ THURSDAY 13/ FRIDAY 18/ SATURDAY many who come back to the festival year releases and UK premieres. 25/ SUNDAY after year, and to those for whom this is a We also welcome so many fantastic first time – welcome to the 13th Keswick guests this year, who needs no DETAILS Film Festival. 31/ TICKETS & TRAVEL 33/ SPONSORS introduction as one of our greatest actors, 34/ FILM TIMELINE 35/ TOWN MAP We hope that as well as providing Alex Etel, a youthful yet highly experienced great pleasure, these films bring to actor and rising star, Tony Britten and Keswick a wide range of issues, images, Tony Palmer are here to introduce their perspectives and ideas that perhaps films in our ‘Sounding Good’ theme along otherwise might not reach our little corner with the Lancaster Millennium Choir, back of the Lake District. from their great rendition of Frankenstein last year to give us a new look (and listen) When we were approached by the on some more old films. Jan Faull returns Keswick Peace and Human Rights Group with archive material from the BFI and the (KPHRG) who asked us if we could KPHRG guests. include films and talks on topics of their choice I was delighted. The films they Once again I would like to thank all have sponsored are being screened along our sponsors, particularly the local with speakers at 9.30 on both Saturday businesses. We hope there is something and Sunday morning. for everyone to discover and enjoy this weekend. In the main programme we have films from Turkey, Israel, China, South Korea, France, Ann Martin, Japan, Nepal, Spain, Iceland, Denmark, Festival Director

3 LOOKING GOOD FEELING GOOD? THE VERY BEST FILMS FROM FILM FESTIVALS TACKLING ILLNESS AND MISFORTUNE AROUND THE GLOBE Is it possible to make a film about Our ‘Best of the Fests’ theme is always at life threatening or life changing (like the heart of KFC and KFF programming. Alzheimer’s) illness without it being This year we are screening a classic mix mawkish or intrusive into people’s of pre-releases, UK premieres and award privacy? We think we have found some winners showcasing quality independent that challenge and bring into the open film-making from around the world. We situations that deserve greater dignity. have contemporary dramas from Iran, the UK and Japan, documentaries from SOUNDING GOOD Iceland, the Himalayas and Antarctica, a WHERE MUSIC AND CINEMA MEET glimpse of rural poverty in China, a high octane adult thriller from Korea and a film Films and music go together in Keswick for all the family set in Jerusalem. like fells and lakes and a highlight of the festival this year is the screening of 2012 FEELING VERY GOOD two historic documentary masterpieces ADDING A LITTLE HUMOUR TO THE MIX by Tony Palmer; his epic biography of Richard Wagner and the long lost story THEMES The KFF programme has, over the years, of Leonard Cohen’s 1972 world tour. tried to bring you the best in independent We are delighted to welcome Tony as and contemporary film making. our guest in Keswick to talk about his Challenging? Often. Inspiring? Frequently. long career and introduce his films. LOOKING GOOD / FEELING VERY GOOD Interesting? Always. Uplifting? Maybe not There is also a welcome return by the FEELING GOOD? / SOUNDING GOOD / DOING GOOD every time! Lancaster Millennium Choir (remember A HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT their Frankenstein Sings last year?!). The Feeling Very Good strand weaves Also sounding good in Keswick this a thread of levity to the programme this year are Alma Cogan, the inspiration for year, with films from France, Turkey, the nostalgic opening gala film by Tony Spain and the US. We have linguistic Britten and Dolly Parton who features in misunderstandings in Welcome to a coming-of-age debut from Canadian the Sticks, legal misunderstandings in director Tara Jones. Pardon, some Spanish psychology in Mia Sarah and its always good to laugh at the beautiful people in LA as we do with No Pain No Gain. As they say in LA... enjoy! WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER SAT 11:00, THE ALHAMBRA

5 DOING GOOD A HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT FILMS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE KESWICK PEACE A SELECTION OF FILMS FEATURING ONE OF THE AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP UK’S GREAT ACTORS

This year we were approached by the John Hurt is one of our most recognisable Keswick Peace and Human Rights Group actors. From starring in the 1966 film A who wanted to have a ‘fringe’ where we Man for all Seasons, being nominated for included films about two of their current his first BAFTA in 1972, becoming famous concerns, asylum children in detention on the stage, the radio, in film and TV, and and the Kurdish situation. These are to being listed in 11 releases last year being screened at 9.30 on Saturday and including Merlin, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sunday at the Theatre with speakers. Also Spy and Melancholia, he is known by in the programme, we have a UK premiere adults and children alike. We are showing from China about child exploitation. six of his works.

GUESTS & EVENTS

WITH GUESTS: JOHN HURT / TONY PALMER / TONY BRITTEN MUSTAFA GÜNDOGDU / CLARE SAMBROOK / RACHEL SEIFERT ALEX ETEL / THE LANCASTER MILLENNIUM CHOIR KINDLY PROVIDED BY MARTIN ROWSON - SEE PAGE 19: ‘THE KIDS BRITAIN DOESN’T WANT’

6 JOHN HURT ALEX ETEL THE LANCASTER CLARE SAMBROOK IN CONVERSATION, SUN 15:00, THEATRE BY THE Q&A, WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER, SAT 11.00, MILLENNIUM CHOIR Q&A, THE KIDS BRITAIN DOESN’T WANT, LAKE + INTRODUCING A NUMBER OF HIS FILMS THE ALHAMBRA. PERFORMANCE SAT 19:00, THEATRE BY THE LAKE SAT 09:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE

We are delighted that John and his film- Alex’s first role was the main character After last year’s success providing their RACHEL SEIFERT producer wife, Anwen Rees-Myers will in Danny Boyle’s Millions (screened at unique musical accompaniment to the Q&A, THE KIDS BRITAIN DOESN’T WANT, be joining us. We are showing a number Keswick Film Festival in 2009), a baptism silent film Frankenstein, Andy Whitfield SAT 09:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE of his films including The Naked Civil of fire indeed! From there it was lead in and The Lancaster Millennium Choir are Servant the Thames Television film about The Water Horse, onto TV for a part in back for 2012 as part of our ‘Sounding Two guests as part of our ‘Doing Good’ Quentin Crisp that perhaps brought him Cranford, back on screen for From Time Good’ theme with Funny Walks with theme in partnership with the Keswick to the forefront as an actor. Well known To Time and now one of the leads in our Wagner. A performance of Libretto and Peace and Human Rights Group. for television, film, stage and voice-over family presentation Ways To Live Forever. songs alongside a compilation of old films. Clare is a novelist, journalist and he is extraordinarily prolific. Among other At just 17 he already has an amazing honours, he has received a Golden Globe pedigree so come along and meet him. coordinator of the unfunded citizens’ Award and three BAFTA Awards, with two TONY PALMER campaign End Child Detention Now. and six nominations respectively, as well MUSTAFA GÜNDOGDU INTRODUCTION, BIRD ON A WIRE, Clare is a coeditor of openDemocracy’s as two Academy Award nominations. He SAT 22:00, THE ALHAMBRA Our Kingdom. In 2010 she won both the Q&A, THE CHILDREN OF DIYARBAKIR, INTRODUCTION, WAGNER, SUN 09:30, Paul Foot Award and the Bevins Prize for will be introducing a number of his films SUN 09:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE as well as being ‘In Conversation’. STUDIO THEATRE outstanding investigative journalism for stories exposing the government’s burial Mustafa Gündogdu is from North We are delighted to welcome of medical evidence that detention harms Kurdistan (Turkey), a place with a history TONY BRITTEN Tony Palmer, founder presenter of children, and government’s cosy relations of anti-Government uprisings. In the late INTRODUCTION, IN LOVE WITH ALMA COGAN, Kaleidoscope on Radio 4 and Night with the companies running the “detention 90s he developed his interests in film- THUR 19:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE Waves on Radio 3 and now often on estate”. making in Istanbul, later moving to London Front Row. He will be introducing two of Our opening film In Love with Alma in 2000, where he works for the London- his almost 100 films on composers from Rachel is a documentary filmmaker, with Cogan is a delightful first feature film based Kurdish Human Rights Project. the Beatles to Britten. We will be showing a particular interest in international social directed by Tony Britten set in Cromer Mustafa is coordinator of the London Wagner on Sunday in the Theatre by the issues. She produced Kids Britain with original music, starring Roger Lloyd Kurdish Film Festival and has been Lake Studio, and Bird on a Wire the 70’s Doesn’t Want and has recently directed Pack and Niamh Cusack. We welcome involved in a number of other film festivals film about Leonard Cohen on Saturday in a feature length documentary filmed Tony to the Festival to introduce his film. on Human Rights and Kurdish cinema. He the Alhambra. across Latin America exposing the human Best known for the UEFA Champions is also advisor and a founding member costs of the war on drugs (Cocaine League Anthem which last year alone was of the New York Kurdish Film Festival, “One of the great, and uncompromising, Unwrapped) which is currently informing played more than 7 million times across launched in 2009 and has published poets of television” Sight & Sound new debates on drugs on both sides of 22 countries, Tony is a prolific composer several articles on Kurdish cinema in the Atlantic. “Tony Palmer…a clear seeing, visionary and arranger of film, opera and theatre academic journals and books. artist, pursuing with precision and music. perfection the image which draws him onwards.” Yehudi Menuhin

8 9 AS WELL AS OUR GUEST SPEAKERS, WE HAVE A FREE FAMILY FILM NUMBER OF SPECIAL EVENTS, INCLUDING: SAT 11:00, THE ALHAMBRA, FREE ENTRY

THE OPENING PARTY We are showing the award winning Ways THUR 18:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE CAFE, FREE to Live Forever on Saturday morning at the Alhambra, staring our guest Alex Our fantastic opening party at Theatre Etel who will be on hand to answer your By The Lake is always a great way to questions after the screening. kick off the festival and meet the festival organisers, other film goers and perhaps even some of our guests. Entry is free FILMS AT RHEGED for pass-holders and invited guests and SAT FROM 11:00, RHEGED, PENRITH 2012 includes food and a drink, provided by our Extending our partnership with Rheged generous sponsor cafes and restaurants we will be having two events in the IMAX from around the town. Please do support theatre on Saturday. Buses are available them throughout the Festival. (See p35) to and from Rheged at suitable times for FILM people to see one or both of the events OSPREY SHORT FILM AWARDS and there is free parking (see p31). Food SAT 14:00, THE ALHAMBRA, FREE ENTRY and drink is available along with a range of LISTINGS shops and exhibitions. Entry to the films is The Osprey Short Film Awards were ticketed as usual, or free for pass-holders. established in 2009 to recognise and THIS YEAR’S STUNNING VIEWS reward the talented film makers from, key or working in, Cumbria. There are two KESWICK PEACE & HUMAN categories for entry–Open and Under RIGHTS GROUP Q&A DOC UK 1ST 18–judged each year by guest film makers SAT 09:30 & SUN 09:30 THEATRE BY THE LAKE from the industry. All shortlisted entries are showcased at the festival and the A new collaboration with the Keswick Q&A / INTRO winners receive cash prizes to help them Peace and Human Rights Group who UK PREMIERE DOCUMENTARY further their work. have sponsored two films and guests as part of our ‘Doing Good’ theme. This year’s winners will be announced at the event on by judges Carl Hunter THE AUDIENCE AWARD and Clare Heaney and members of The THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL Festival committee. Have your say on our film programme for For entry details & further information 2012 and vote for your favourite film in our visit: www.keswickfilmfestival.org annual audience award.

10 thursday rd

23 friday FEBRUARY th

Q&A

19:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE the ghost of the fifties and sixties singing IN LOVE WITH ALMA COGAN star Alma Cogan. 24 THEME: SOUNDING GOOD / HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT Starring Roger Lloyd-Pack and Niamh TONY BRITTEN, 2011, UK, 94M Cusack with John Hurt in a cameo role and with original music by Tony FEBRUARY This gentle romantic comedy tells the Britten this new film will resonate with story of Norman, the manager of the Keswickians. The potential closure of theatre on the pier at a once grand East the theatre in the film resonating with Coast holiday resort. Norman has worked the threat to the cinema in Keswick and at the theatre all his life and despite the the role of the RNLI in the film with our efforts of Sandra, his long- serving and Mountain Rescue. suffering assistant, he will not accept that the local council, which owns the theatre Includes Q&A with Tony Britten. may be serious about putting it into the Thanks to Capriol Films. hands of commercial management. As the plot unfolds, Norman realises that it may be time to move on and put behind him WELCOME TO THE STICKS 20:30, THE ALHAMBRA

12 friday friday

UK 1ST UK 1ST UK 1ST UK 1ST

13:00, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 13:00, THE ALHAMBRA 15:15, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 15:15, THE ALHAMBRA DAVID AND KAMAL PARDON VACATION (KYUKA) NO PAIN NO GAIN THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: FEELING VERY GOOD THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: FEELING VERY GOOD KIKUO KAWASAKI, 2011, USA/ISRAEL, 78M MERT BAYKAL, 2006, TURKEY, 94M HAJIME KADOI, 2008, JAPAN, 115M SAM TURCOTTE, 2005, USA, 104M

Kamal is a nine-year old Arab boy living Based on a true event which for many Vacation is the story of Toru Hirai (Kaoru The film tells the story of a highly in Jerusalem with his grandfather, mother, epitomises the faults in the Turkish legal Kobayashi) a middle-aged bachelor who intelligent former state champion and sisters. Everyday he goes to the system, Pardon tells the tragicomic story works as a prison guard on death row and bodybuilder from small town Ohio who Old City and tries to sell postcards but of three friends who end up in prison lives with his older sister and her husband. has become obsessed with his scientific he is thwarted by bullies and constantly when they are mistaken as members of a Hirai’s sister is determined to marry him research and, consequently, has let his discouraged by his strict grandfather. terrorist organization. off to a divorced single mother of a 6 year world-class physique go. He journeys to David is a Jewish boy, also aged nine, who old son Tatsuya, who is suspicious of his the mecca of bodybuilding, Los Angeles, The Writer, Ferhan Sensoy is a popular is in Jerusalem to visit his father, whom he new father. In exchange for a one-week to prove himself. Determined to reveal his director and actor in Turkish theatre where hasn’t seen in years. Thinking that he is vacation, for a proper honeymoon to get new ideas to the world, the awkward yet he is well-known for his spontaneous carrying a large amount of money Kamal to know his new family, Hirai volunteers sincere bodybuilder realizes he has no political criticism. He generally performs steals from David resulting in a chase in to ‘support’ illustrator Shinichi Kaneda choice but to get back in supreme shape, on stage in his own theatre which means which Kamal escapes. But when David (Hidetoshi Nishijima) who is about to compete in the ultimate “Mr. West Coast” that not many outsiders get to see his runs into the same bullies that have been be executed by hanging. There is little bodybuilding competition and use his own work. Pardon, in that sense, is reaching targeting Kamal, Kamal rescues him, and emotion in the film, apart from the fear body as the perfect reflection of his mind’s out to people who can not come to watch another chase begins. Together, the two that every character is harbouring for work. Amidst the LA-freaks, Hollywood his plays. boys must learn the true meanings of the future, until the trauma of Kaneda’s wannabes, and outrageous gym culture friendship, trust and sacrifice. A posting from Istanbul on the IMDB terrifying death. Kadoi shows the hard of Los Angeles, the now determined states: “The story is one of the true stories choices and personal sacrifices the ideal bodybuilder struggles to preserve an Awards include: Best Children’s Film of Turkey about its legal system faults. Japanese husband and father will make for integrity of the mind, body, and spirit that Tiburon; World Cinema Award Best The acting and directing is superb. I have his family. is so apparently void in this strange new Feature, Washington DC; Best of the watched it three times in the same week land. Fest, Palm Beach Kobayashi and Nishijima won acting and laughed each time.” awards at Yokohama film festival 2009. Thanks to Sam Turcotte. Thanks to Eleven Arts. Thanks to Plato Films. Thanks to Eleven Arts.

14 15 friday friday

DOC

17:30, THE ALHAMBRA 18:00, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 20:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 20:30, THE ALHAMBRA CELL 211 GNARR THE YELLOW SEA WELCOME TO THE STICKS THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: FEELING VERY GOOD DANIEL MONZON, 2009, SPAIN, 113M GAUKUR ULFARSSON, 2010, ICELAND, 93M HONG-JIN NA, 2010, SOUTH KOREA, 157M DANY BOON, 2007, FRANCE, 106M

Billed as ‘Die Hard meets A Prophet’, The film follows the efforts of Jon Gnarr, This highly efficient Korean thriller from This gem of a comedy explores the north/ Cell 211 takes us into a Spanish jail with an Icelandic comedian/TV show actor/ the director of the ultra-violent The south divide in France. The film plays on Juan, a new guard who tries to impress perpetual goofball, to become Mayor of Chaser has an unremarkable plot: a taxi cultural and linguistic differences as the by reporting in a day early. That sort of Rejkjavik. Following the credit crunch in driver at the end of his tether is induced hero, Philippe, travels from suave and attitude is never a good idea and events 2008 the krona collapsed and the whole to carry out a murder in Seoul and finds comfy meridional France to take up a mean that Juan needs to rely on his wits country effectively went bankrupt under himself crushed between two different post-office manager’s job in his country’s to survive. the debts incurred by its over extended branches of the mafia and goes on the grim north which most of the French banks. run. The film does, however, in addition consider to be populated with hard According to Philip French, this excellent to moving with the speed of a bullet, drinking unemployed rednecks speaking Spanish picture has all the traditional ‘Big The government took its fair share of have three distinctive features; it’s the an incomprehensible local dialect – Ch’ti. House, Prison Movie’ ingredients: the the blame and in 2009 Gnarr launched first Korean thriller to have attracted fair but weak governor, the contrasted The Best Party, a satirical political party The film is brought to life for a British a major investment from a Hollywood good and bad warders, the charismatic that parodies Icelandic politics and audience through inspired subtitling which studio; knives and axes are the gangsters’ convict leader (a knockout performance aims to make the life of its citizens more succeeds in matching French mis-speaks weapons of choice and they go about from Luis Tosar, famously menacing in fun. Standing in the municipal election with plausible English equivalents in a their work gleefully in pools of blood; and, Michael Mann’s Miami Vice), the old lag, of 2010 Gnarr promised free towels tour de force which, says the Guardian, the desperate hero comes from Yanji City the slimy informer, the destructive riot, and in all swimming pools, a polar bear for merits the creation of a whole new Oscar in the curious Chinese enclave of Yanbian, the familiar message that the trouble is the Reykjavik zoo, all kinds of things for category. Allied to ”the ingenuity of the an autonymous prefecture abutting China, due to overcrowding, penny-pinching and weaklings, and an incorruptible and drug- writing, the fluency and comic timing Russia and North Korea largely populated the lack of either creative work or serious free parliament by 2020. of the actors, in particular the assured by Koreans carrying Chinese identity attempts at rehabilitation. direction of Dany Boon, who happens Thanks to Sigvaldi Kárason and Stray papers. “One of the bloodiest movies I’ve to be a Ch’ti himself”, the Sticks and the ‘Sheer story telling pizazz’ – the Guardian Dog Films. ever seen” Phillip French, The Observer town of Bergues are destined to charm. Thanks to Lionsgate. Thanks to Eureka Video. Thanks To Pathe

16 17 saturday

Q&A DOC Q&A

09:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 11:00, THE ALHAMBRA THE KIDS BRITAIN WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER DOESN’T WANT THEME: FEELING GOOD THEME: DOING GOOD GUSTAVO RON, 2010, SPAIN/UK, 95M saturday DAVID MODELL, PRODUCERS: RACHEL SEIFERT Adapted from Sally Nicholls’ novel, Ways & ADAM WARNER, 2010, UK, 49M to Live Forever is a touching and inspiring th IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KESWICK PEACE AND film about 12 year old Sam, played by HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP Robbie Kay. Sam is the narrator of the film, through the medium of his video This film is the disturbing story of what diary. He reveals much about himself, happens to children when they seek when, while making a list of important asylum in Britain. Every year, thousands of things about himself, the fact that he is children come from all over the world to dying of leukaemia merits only 4th place. 25 Britain seeking refuge from persecution, terrorism and war. But many find this He loves facts, he wants to know about country is not the place of safety that they UFOs and horror movies and airships FEBRUARY hoped. Instead they are met by a culture and ghosts and how it feels to kiss a girl. of disbelief and an asylum system that He wants to know the facts about dying. can cause them profound psychological Sam needs the answers to the questions and physical harm. Through the stories nobody will answer. of a 10-year-old Iranian boy, a 16-year- old Afghan and a 22-year-old Ugandan Also starring Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox and woman, this film explores the experiences Greta Scacchi, Ways to Live Forever has of young people who have been brutalized been an official entry in the Amsterdam, by the British asylum system. First shown Tallinn, Terra di Siena and Indianapolis on Channel Four Dispatches, Nov 2010. Festivals.

Includes a Q&A with Rachel Seifert & Thanks to Gustavo Ron. TYRANNOSAUR Clare Sambrook. 20:15, THEATRE BY THE LAKE Thanks to Dartmouth Films.

19 saturday saturday but they also shared beliefs, ideas and philosophies and broke no less than six World Records. Snowline has produced a documentary about the project mostly from over 3,500 individual clips of footage DOC shot by members of the team.

Thanks to Snowline. 11:15, RHEGED (PENRITH) 13:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE DOUBLE BILL, 13:30, RHEGED THE GREAT WHITE SILENCE LOU (+SAILCLOTH UK, 18 MINS) CALL OF THE WHITE DOC Sherpas, The True Heroes of Everest focuses on the hired Sherpas of a Swiss THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: FEELING GOOD? / HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT THEME: LOOKING GOOD Everest Expedition Team. Among the A FILM BY HERBERT PONTING, 1924, UK, 106M BELINDA CHAYKO, 2010, AUS, 82 MINS ELLIOTT FORGE, 2010, UK, 45M Sherpas is Dawa, who has climbed the A BFI NATIONAL ARCHIVE RESTORATION Lou: The film takes place almost entirely Everest summit thirteen times. The film SHERPAS, THE TRUE UK 1ST DOC A hundred years ago the British Antarctic on a property in the cane country of heroically showcases the role of Sherpas Expedition (1910-1913) led by Captain northern New South Wales, where single HEROES OF EVEREST who make it possible for the big-pocketed Scott set out on its ill-fated race to the mother Rhea (Emily Barclay) survives by THEME: LOOKING GOOD Western climbers to reach the summit. South Pole. Joining Scott on board the barring the door against debt collectors. HARI THAPA & FRANK SENN, 2009, Made by documentary makers at Swiss Terra Nova was official photographer and To help make ends meet, she agrees to SWITZERLAND/NEPAL, 51M Television plus Hari Thapa, film-maker in cinematographer Herbert Ponting, and find room for Doyle (John Hurt), an old Kathmandhu the film has won prizes at FOR BUS TIMES TO RHEGED SEE P31 the images that he captured have fired sailor with Alzheimer’s disease who is the a number of film festivals including Best imaginations ever since. paternal grandfather of her three young Call Of The White: Could you ski to the Film at Kathmandhu. daughters - an exotic figure in this setting, South Pole? That was the challenge Ponting filmed almost every aspect of Thanks to Hari Thapa with his faraway eyes, English accent and that British Adventurer, Felicity Aston the expedition including the fascinating sensitive, ravaged face. This is a slightly put to ‘ordinary women’ from around preparations for the assault on the Pole. dangerous coming-of-age fantasy. the Commonwealth as she set out to Ponting used his footage in various forms create the most international all-female ‘As a dissection of familial relations, Lou is over the years and in 1924 he re-edited expedition ever to the South Pole. Late flawless and the deliberately understated it into this remarkable feature. The BFI in 2009, Felicity led a team from places emotions of its principle characters are National Archive has restored the film and as diverse as Jamaica, India, Singapore also part of the film’s charm’Lucy Popescu reintroduced the film’s sophisticated use and Cyprus - some of whom had never of colour along with a new score. Thanks to Matchbox Films. even seen snow - on a 900 km skiing trek 14:00, THE ALHAMBRA across the Antarctic, one of the toughest OSPREY SHORT FILM AWARDS Thanks to The BFI. This session also includes a screening and most notoriously hazardous journeys of Elfar Adalsteins’ Sailcloth staring John on the planet. Eighty-mile-an-hour winds Screening of all the shortlisted films and Hurt and among the short films tipped to ripped through base camp; frostbite and the announcement of the winners in each land an Oscar nomination. injuries were an everyday occurrence; category. (See page 12)

20 21 saturday saturday

UK 1ST DOC Q&A

16:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 16:30, THE ALHAMBRA 20:15, THE ALHAMBRA 22:00, THE ALHAMBRA THE YEAR DOLLY PARTON 50/50 TYRANNOSAUR BIRD ON A WIRE WAS MY MOM THEME: FEELING GOOD? THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: SOUNDING GOOD TONY PALMER, 1972, UK, 120M THEME: SOUNDING GOOD JONATHAN LEVINE, 2010, UK, 99M PADDY CONSIDINE, 2011, UK, 91M TARA JONES, 2011, CANADA, 95M Inspired by the real-life experiences of Actor Paddy Considine has seen his Tony Palmer’s film about Leonard Cohen’s screenwriter Will Reiser, director Jonathan first feature garlanded at the British 1972 European Tour from Dublin to Jerusalem. Montreal writer/director Tara Johns, in her Levine’s 50/50 is the story of a 27-year- independent film awards (Best Film, Best Having gone missing soon after completion, feature debut, takes us back to the ’70s, old cancer patient’s battle to beat the Actress and Best Debut Director) and the film is only now receiving its first the dreadful fashions and interior decor disease with the help of his friend. It has at Sundance (World Cinema Directing official release almost 40 years later. This drenched in a dewy nostalgic haze, to tell received strong reviews and – unusually Award, Special Jury Prize Drama). Peter version has been re-constructed by Palmer the simple story of 11-year-old Elizabeth, for a comedy – is considered an outside Mullan is a gambling, washed-up widower from the original sound tracks and around who longs to get her first period so she bet for an Oscar nomination next year Joseph, a man plagued by violence and a 3000 fragments of film. can be like her friends. When Elizabeth rage that is driving him to self-destruction. discovers she is adopted it sparks a bout Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the somewhat Interweaving live concert footage with of preteen rebellion and confusion. portentously named Adam Lerner, a young As Joseph’s life spirals into turmoil a backstage encounters, the film follows a writer working for a National Public Radio chance of redemption appears in the mostly bewildered band and management If her mom isn’t her real mom, then maybe station in Seattle, who is told out of the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop as they deal with exploding speakers, her idol is; she’s determined to get to blue he has spinal cancer with a 50-50 worker. Their relationship develops to backstage groupies and the vagaries a Dolly Parton concert to find out. This chance of recovery. He gets along with a reveal that Hannah is hiding a secret of of an artist with an extremely delicate leads to a cathartic cross-country trek little help and hindrance from his friends, her own with devastating results for both temperament. Palmer has commented on by a mother searching for a daughter family and fellow patients, and the movie of their lives. The performances roar off Cohen’s power over an audience simply searching for a mother - both of them and Adam himself treat his situation with the screen, Mullan is fantastic but the real by his presence; “authority doesn’t really really searching for themselves. Parton’s considerable humour. ‘The absence of revelation of the film is the performance describe it; transparent goodness is participation, allowing a few of her songs self-pity and sentimentality is something of Olivia Colman; so good in fact that you probably closer, and a profound belief that to be re-recorded by Canadian artists and of a change.’ Philip French. ‘this is a film forget this is a movie. While it is difficult it is the poet’s responsibility to address the providing a voice-over finale, add much to that does all the difficult stuff so very well’ to watch, critics have showered the film political problems of the world.” the film’s appeal. Robbie Collin with praise. With an Introduction by Tony Palmer. Thanks to Palomar Films. Thanks to Lionsgate. Thanks to StudioCanal. Thanks to Tony Palmer

22 23 saturday highest commendation, The Desmond Davies Award, for outstanding creative contribution to television. Credit for the film’s success also goes to screenwriter Philip Mackie and producer Verity Lambert. Perhaps the highest praise is Crisp’s christening of John Hurt as his DOUBLE BILL, 20:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE “representative on earth.” THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT Thanks to Freemantle Media THEME: HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT An Englishman In New York: Quentin , 1975, UK, 85 MINS Crisp moved to America at age seventy- sunday two, “when people my age rocked AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK themselves asleep in nursing home. Not THEME: HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT me! I want my time lived!” And live his life th RICHARD LAXTON, 2009, UK, 75M Quentin Crisp certainly did. Setting off on the journey of a lifetime to The Naked Cilvil Servant: Quentin Crisp on September 13, 1981, the out-spoken was born Denis Pratt on Christmas Day Quentin Crisp was immediately embraced 1908. As an openly gay man in a much by New Yorkers and before long wined less tolerant era, he suffered abuse and and dined by celebrities in every corner of rejection in his quest to “make them the city. understand”. Whether or not he made 26 society understand homosexuality, he Mr. Crisp’s romantic view of New York certainly raised awareness of it and you and America was coloured by wartime FEBRUARY could argue that freedom of sexual choice relationships with GIs in London and by would not be as accepted today were it a love of Hollywood movies. The film was not for his courage and determination. nominated and won prizes at a number of festivals. Thames’s television adaptation of Crisp’s autobiography, The Naked Civil Thanks to Momentum Pictures. Servant, eight years after he wrote it took Britain by storm and made Crisp an overnight celebrity. John Hurt’s unforgettable performance as Crisp won him a BAFTA for Best Actor, while director Jack Gold won the Academy’s MELANCHOLIA 17:30, THE ALHAMBRA

24 sunday sunday

Q&A Q&A UK 1ST

09:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 09:30, STUDIO THEATRE, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 12:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 12:30, THE ALHAMBRA THE CHILDREN OF DIYARBAKIR WAGNER LITTLE MOTH (XUE CHAN) MIA SARAH THEME: DOING GOOD THEME: SOUNDING GOOD THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: FEELING VERY GOOD MIRAZ BEZAR, 2009, GERMANY/TURKEY,101M TONY PALMER, UK, 1983, 466M TAO PANG, CHINA, 2007, 99M GUSTAVO RON, SPAIN, 2006, 103M IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KESWICK PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP Tony Palmer’s epic film was made to Luo Jiang and Guihua, a poor, middle- In this comedy from Spain, a young girl celebrate the 100th anniversary of aged couple with few prospects, decide in her twenties, Marina, and her teenage Gulistan and her younger brother, Firat, Wagner’s death. Filmed in 200 locations, to buy an 11- year-old girl, Xiao Ezi (aka brother, Samuel, have lost their parents have a normal childhood with their mum many where the actual historical events “Little Moth”), for $140 in rural China. in an accident three years ago. Samuel and dad, a Kurdish journalist, and new took place, it is only now released on DVD Xiao Ezi’s life is in peril, as she is forced has taken it hard. He hasn’t left their baby brother. On their way back from a as Palmer wishes it to be viewed. The to earn money for her new parents as apartment in these last three years and wedding, the family is stopped by three film portrays Wagner’s life and work, from a beggar while suffering from a blood has created a bizarre world for himself and gunmen, who shoot the parents dead before the 1848 Revolution, through his disease that leaves her unable to walk. his once-famous literary grandfather. His in front of the kids. The kids’ aunt, an exile in Switzerland, his rescue by King Her greedy adoptive father refuses eccentricity and cleverness scares off the underground Kurdish activist, moves in to Ludwig II of Bavaria to the final triumph at to buy her medicine, while Guihua’s tutors hired to educate him. Marina has no care for them, but she’s later kidnapped. Bayreuth, and sets his radical musical and growing maternal affection wracks her life as she is consumed with taking care of Left alone the children have to work out political ideas in the context of his life and with guilt. With virtually no budget, a Samuel and working across the street as how to survive. Their life gets harder. times. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra hand-held digital camera and a cast of a waitress. is conducted by Sir George Solti. The non-professionals, Peng Tao turns the In the days that follow, the paths of cast includes Richard Burton, Laurence sordid street life of small town China into Marina accidentally meets up with a the two children, along with those of Olivier, , , a chain-reaction tale of human cruelty and psychologist, Gabriel, and asks him to be Dilara and Nuri, will all intersect in ways Vanessa Redgrave and László Gállfi. unforgettable suspense. her brother’s tutor. Almost immediately, that have surprising impact due to the Gabriel has a powerful positive effect on unexpected restraint with which their roles “This film is one of the truly great “A gripping, convincing and Samuel. And Gabriel becomes smitten are played. experiences of the cinema.” The Guardian (appropriately) upsetting work of rigorous with Marina. The student Samuel reverses unsentimentality” Neil Young, Jigsaw roles and begins to teach the shy Gabriel The film has won awards at 10 The film will be screened in two parts with Lounge how to attract women. international festivals a one hour interval and introduced by Tony Palmer. Thanks to Tony Palmer. Thanks to the director Tao Pang. Thanks to Gustavo Ron. Includes Q&A with Mustafa Gündogdu. Thanks to The Match Factory.

26 27 sunday sunday

Q&A

15:00, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 15:00, THE ALHAMBRA 17:30, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 17:30, THE ALHAMBRA IN CONVERSATION WITH A SEPARATION (JODAEIYE TALES FROM THE SHIPYARD MELANCHOLIA JOHN HURT NADER AZ SIMIN) THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: LOOKING GOOD / HOMAGE TO JOHN HURT THEME: LOOKING GOOD A COLLECTION OF ARCHIVE MATERIAL, ALLOW 150M LARS VON TRIER, 2011, DENMARK, 136M An interview and Q&A with John Hurt ASQHAR FARHADI, 2011, IRAN, 123M including clips of some of his films. Once again we welcome Jan Faull from The narrative revolves around two sisters during and shortly after the wedding party In this multi-award winning film (including the BFI who brings a curated selection “Britain’s superbly eccentric import of one of them, while Earth is about to Golden Berlin Bear, 2011) Nader and of old film, this time Tales From The John Hurt is a perfect example of how collide with an approaching rogue planet. Simin argue about living abroad. Simin Shipyard. Those who came last year to huge, wondrous gifts can come in small, The film prominently features music from wants to leave Iran to provide better her collection King Coal will have enjoyed unadorned packages. His magnetic, often Richard Wagner’s prelude to his opera opportunities for their only daughter, local film from Cumbria and the North bedeviled portraits have touched the souls Tristan und Isolde. Trier’s initial inspiration Termeh. However, Nader refuses to go West. of film-goers internationally for over four for the film came from a depressive because he thinks he must stay and decades, and there seems to be no end to Tales from the Shipyard is the second episode he suffered and the insight that take care of his father who suffers from the depth of this man’s talent. Stretching in the BFI collection This Working Life a depressed people remain calm in stressful Alzheimer’s. Their argument has escalated the boundaries every which way but loose, three-part celebration of Britain’s industrial situations. into a demand for divorce. The film he continues to be an acting textbook in heritage as seen through the eyes of shows a middle-class household under the art of metamorphosis” IMDB.com filmmakers from the Victorian era to the The film was much feted at Festivals and siege; there are semi-unsolved mysteries, present day. The remaining part which will the lead actresses gave prize-winning Look him up on the film database and he angry confrontations and family burdens: be compiled for next year by the BFI will performances. Lars von Trier ‘ has made has 173 entries as actor with 9 in 2011 an ageing parent and two children from be on the steel industry. one of the most unforgettable, unshakably including roles as diverse as Control in warring camps appearing to make friends. unique films of this year.’ Jim Tudor. ‘A Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Ollivander Paul Rotha’s modernist classic Shipyard crazily bold, visually enthralling, and “Farhadi, like Michael Haneke, in his in Harry Potter. At the English film festival (1935, 24min) filmed at Barrow in Furness emotionally seismic drama about the 2005 film Hidden takes a scalpel to his in Dinard last year there were as many and featuring local shipbuilders Vickers, meaning of existence’ Sukhdev Sandhu. bourgeois homeland. With great power young people flocking around him for captures the building of a liner with the and subtlety, (he) transforms this ugly his autograph as remembered him from eye of a painter. A rare opportunity that Thanks to Artificial Eye quarrel into a contemporary tragedy.” the ‘70s as Quentin Crisp, in Midnight should not be missed. Peter Bradshaw, Guardian Express or as The Elephant Man. With a Q&A with Jan Faull from the BFI. Thanks to Artificial Eye Thanks to the BFI

28 29 sunday TICKETS & UK 1ST TRAVEL 21:00, THEATRE BY THE LAKE 21:00, THE ALHAMBRA CARANCHO BABYCALL THEME: LOOKING GOOD THEME: LOOKING GOOD TRAVEL TO THE FESTIVAL: TICKET TYPES: PASS SINGLE PABLO TRAPERO, 2010, ARGENTINA, 107M PÅL SLETAUNE, 2011, NORWAY, 96M Keswick is a beautiful town on Derwentwater Club members £35 £4 in the Northern Lake District. But it isn’t as far Non-members £45 £5 away as you might think... Rooted in real life – injury and death from Single mother Anna (Noomi Rapace) is Concessions* £25 £3 car accidents are now alarmingly common moved with her 8 year old son Anders BY CAR: For a scenic route through the Lake Student Saturday Pass** £10 in Argentina – Trapero’s film feels almost (Vetle Qvenild Werring) to a secret District, leave the M6 at J36 and take the like a documentary in its early scenes address outside Oslo, fleeing as they are A591 via Windermere, Ambleside and PLEASE NOTE: Passes allow entry for all events outlining the mostly nocturnal work of from her abusive husband. Fearing for Grasmere. After dark and from the North a and talks, but do not guarantee a place to any better choice is to leave at J40 (Penrith) and ambulance medic Luján (Gusman), on the their lives, Anna is perpetually terrified that particular event. We request for events in the take the A66. Studio that pass holders reserve a ticket (at no one hand, and ambulance-chasing lawyer she and her vulnerable son will be found additional charge) to ensure a place. The nearest railway station to Keswick Sosa (Darin), on the other. at any moment. So that Anders can sleep BY TRAIN: • Single tickets are available on the door 1/2 is Penrith, served by Virgin Trains. The station is in his own bed, and to allay the suspicions hour prior to each film. ‘...A taut, suspenseful noir thriller, alert 17 miles from Keswick but a bus service, taking of her supposed protectors, Anna invests • On Thursday, passes are available to collect / to the psychological needs and doubts forty minutes, connects Penrith railway station in a babycall monitor. with Keswick bus station. Taxis from Keswick buy from 18:30 from Theatre By The Lake. of its clearly star-cross’d lovers and to will meet trains at Penrith by prior arrangement. the visceral physicality of both hospital However, sequestered in the symmetrical * Concessions are for under 16 year olds in full time education/unwaged only. work and criminal violence alike. Darin monotone concrete of the flat, a legacy of BY BUS: If you are already in the North West ** Available for students in full time education/ and Gusman, each of them excellent, short-sighted 1960s Oslo architecture, of England why not take the Lakeslink 555 (Lancaster to Carlisle via Kendal, Windermere, unwaged under 16’s. Allows entry to events on receive sterling support ... while superb Anna hears the babycall pick up the Ambleside, Keswick) Saturday only. camera work and editing create a mood distressed voice of another troubled child. of tense immediacy from the attention- When no trace of this child can be found, TRAVEL FROM KESWICK TO RHEGED, PENRITH FOR TICKETS & PASSES catching start to the spiralling chaos of Anna’s fragile psychological state is called X50 Buses from Keswick* to Rheged: PLEASE CONTACT: the extraordinarily gripping finale.’ Geoff into question. “Another unusual, and 10.20 (arrives 10.57) / 12.20 (arrives 12.57) Andrews Time Out. unsettling, urban thriller” onemetal.com X50 Buses from Rheged to Keswick: KESWICK THEATRE BY THE LAKE 13.27 (arrives 14:02) / 15.27 (arrives 16:02) Thanks to Axiom Films Thanks to Soda Pictures. *The X50 stops outside Booth Supermarket TEL: 01768 774411

On general release from 2nd March 2012 VISIT: WWW.THEATREBYTHELAKE.CO.UK Alternatively if you wish to drive, there is For more information see axiomfilms.co.uk plenty of Free Parking available at Rheged.

30 31 SQUARE ORANGE CAFE BAR Cafe Bar serving speciality coffee, soft drinks, continental beers, local ales and wines. Specialising in authentic Neapolitan pizzas, tapas and paninis and other tasty food. Located just down the road from the Alhambra Cinema. The Square Orange, St John’s Street, Keswick. 017687 73888 www.thesquareorange.co.uk

YHA KESWICK YHA Keswick supports and wishes future success to the Keswick Film Festival. YHA is an excellent network of comfortable accommodation for families, individuals and groups with good facilities, a friendly atmosphere and tasty affordable food. www.yha.org.uk

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

WITH THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT

This advert space was donated by Split M ai Stranger St n S t d 1 R Vi n c o to ti Heads Rd ri Rd a ta rk S S Pa t w Cro ls 2 C nt e M a erw in D S t 3

s

land Rd Lake t S ead S H r o e la u p t Th h Po e y 7 5 S t

Alhambra 6 4

A 8 t Bo S t h S Hig h r rc r u o h w C d a l e

R

d VENUES T. Theatre S. Studio A. Alhambra

REFRESHMENTS

L

a

k

e

R

d

1. Star of Siam 2. Lakeland 3. Casa Bella Pedlar

4. Pumpkin 5. Dog & Gun 6. Royal Bengal T & S Theatre By The Lake

Derwent Water 7. Square 8. Treeby Orange cafe Gallery Cafe THEATRE BY THE LAKE RHEGED & STUDIO THEATRE THE ALHAMBRA THU 18:30 Opening Party 19:30 In Love with Alma Cogan

FRI 13:00 David & Kamal 13:00 Pardon 15:15 Vacation 15:15 No Pain No Gain 18:00 Gnarr 17:30 Cell 211 20:30 The Yellow Sea 20:30 Welcome to the Sticks

SAT 09:30 The Kids Britain Doesn't Rheged 11:00 Ways to Live Forever (Q&A) Want (Q&A) 11:15 The Great White Silence 14:00 Osprey Short Film Awards 13:30 Sailcloth + Lou 13:30 Call of the White & Sherpas 16.30 50/50 16:30 The Year Dolly Parton Was 20:15 Tyrannosaur My Mom 22.00 Bird on a Wire (Q&A) 19:00 Lancaster Millennium Choir 20.30 Naked Civil Servant 22.10 Englishman in New York

SUN 09:30 The Children of Diyarbakir Studio Theatre 12:30 Mia Sarah (Q&A) 09:30 Wagner (Part 1) 15:00 A Separation (Nadir & Simin) 12:20 Little Moth Introduced by Tony Palmer 17:30 Melancholia 15:00 In Conversation with John Hurt 14:30 Wagner (Part 2) 17:30 Tales from the Shipyard (Q&A) 21:00 Babycall 21:00 Carancho

Programme Subject to Change Design by Split (split.co.uk)