BFI London Film Festival 2018
Week 2
Monday the 15th
Life Itself
Image Source: Getty Images
The second week at LFF 2018 began with a string of Monday screenings, culminating in a headline gala which saw the creator of American TV hit ‘This is Us’ Dan Fogleman attempting to transfer his connective human drama sensibilities to the big screen, with his latest feature ‘Life Itself’—an epic continent-spanning love story linking the personal struggles of two disparate couples separated by an ocean, who become inextricably connected by a major incident. Fogelman was on hand with one of his stars Olivia Cooke in tow, ‘Life Itself’ is out now in the US, and on the 4th of January 2019 in UK cinemas.
Life Itself at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Sunset (Napszállta)
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After taking global film festivals and award shows by storm in 2015/16 with his haunting Hungarian holocaust drama and feature debut ‘Son of Saul’, Oscar-winning writer/director László Nemes returned to the LFF in official competition mode with a screening of his latest period piece ‘Sunset’. A story set in Budapest of 1913 where an orphan and aspiring young milliner—looking to restore her family legacy and carve her place in the world—is plunged into a dark conspiracy revolving around her family’s troubling past, and an empire on the precipice of great change . . . and tragedy.
Nemes was joined on the LFF red carpet by his star Juli Jakab, ‘Sunset’ is out on the 27th of September in Hungary, with no UK or US dates yet.
Sunset trailer (courtesy of BFI)
Wild Rose
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Monday hosted a second headline gala at the LFF this year, this time bringing a distinctly British flavour but an American twang in the form of Tom Harper’s meditation on modern working-class motherhood ‘Wild Rose’; the story of a young irrepressible but irresponsible Scottish single mother, whose responsibilities and recent stint in prison can’t dampen her unlikely dream of of becoming a Nashville country music star. The director was present and flanked by his stars James Harkness, Janey Godley, Jessie Buckley, plus producer Faye Ward and screenwiter Nicole Taylor, ‘Wild Rose’ is out on the 19th of April 2019 in the UK, and on the 10th of May 2019 in the US.
Wild Rose at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Holiday
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There was further competition involvement on Monday when the ‘first feature’ contest saw some Danish participation, in the form of of writer/director Isabella Eklöf’s Turkish Riviera-set crime drama ‘Holiday’; a story surrounding a ‘trophy girlfriend’ of a Danish gangster on a lush coastal vacation, whose life of glamour an comfort is thrown into turmoil and violence when a third man enters her holiday fray . . . and her criminal boyfriend reacts in kind. ‘Holiday’ is out now in Denmark, with no UK date yet.
Holiday trailer (courtesy of CINEGardens)
Tuesday the 16th
Suspiria
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Tuesday signalled one of the most anticipated screenings at the LFF this year, as Italian director Luca Guadagnino (A Bigger Splash, Call Me by Your Name) returned to the festival accompanied by his stars Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton and Mia Goth for a headline gala screening of his bold and morbidly beautiful take on Dario Argento’s cult supernatural horror classic ‘Suspiria’.
The story of an ambitious young American dance student who joins a prestigious academy in a divided 70s Berlin, only to discover that the school and its staff hide a sinister secret, placing her centre-stage in conspiracy which draws in a local psychotherapist and her fellow students, threatening their sanity . . . and their very lives. ‘Suspiria’ is out on the 2nd of December in the US and on 16th of November in the UK, you can see our LFF review here.
Suspiria at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Happy as Lazzaro (Lazzaro Felice)
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The official competition proceedings on Tuesday saw Italian writer/director Alice Rohrwacher return to the LFF after her first visit in 2014 for ‘The Wonders’, bringing with her screenings of her allegorical realist Italian fairy tale of innocence ‘Happy as Lazzaro’—the story of a simple and good-natured young peasant and his unlikely friendship with a local noble, which leads to a voyage beyond the confines of their small village into the big modern world, into what seems like another time and place. ‘Happy as Lazzaro’ is out on the 30th of November in US cinemas, and on the 15th of March 2019 in the UK.
Happy as Lazzaro trailer (courtesy of BFI)
Joy
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The second official competition film of the day (and eventual overall winner) saw German writer/director Sudabeh Mortezai joined by her star Anwulika Alphonsus for a screening of their Africa-to-Europe sex trafficking drama ‘Joy’—the story of a Nigerian illegal immigrant in Germany, working the streets as a prostitute while balancing the struggles of dealing with her ‘madame’ and mentoring a troublesome young new girl, with the pressures of home and the people who depend on her. ‘Joy’ has no confirmed release dates yet.
Joy LFF clip (courtesy of BFI)
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Image Source: Getty Images
Tuesday also saw the return of British cinema’s American prodigal son Terry Gilliam to the London red carpet, accompanied by his stars Olga Kurylenko and Jonathan Pryce for a European gala premiere of his notorious near thirty year in—the—making labour of love ‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’. A self-referential filmmaking fable following the fate of a jaded advertising executive, who is plunged into a time-jumping adventure when a cobbler with Don Quixote delusions mistakes him for his trusty sidekick Sancho Panza—as he is drawn deeper into the man’s madness only to embrace and become lost in it, and find humanity in the process. ‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’ has no UK or US dates yet.
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Wednesday the 17th
Outlaw King
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The second Wednesday’s this year culminated with a headline gala screening for another Netflix picture at this year’s LFF, as Scottish writer/director David Mackenzie (Hallam Foe, Hell or High Water) gathered a large cast to stroll the red carpet for his historical epic and correction of ‘Braveheart’ historical inaccuracies ‘Outlaw King’; the story of a legendary Scot reeling from personal tragedy and the oppression of 14th century English occupation, as nobleman Robert the Bruce seizes his destiny as King of Scots and begins a daring guerilla campaign to take his country back . . . one castle at a time.
Mackenzie was joined on the LFF red carpet by his stars Alastair Mackenzie, Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Billy Howle, Tony Curran and Chris Fulton, ‘Outlaw King’ is available on the 9th of November on Netlfix, you can check out our review here.
Outlaw King at the LFF (Courtesy of BFI)
Peterloo
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Wednesday also saw LFF regular and Manchester native Mike Leigh return to the festival, along with his star Maxine Peake, for a special presentation screening for a historical British drama close to his ideological heart ‘Peterloo’; a period piece set in the early 19th century at the end of the Napoleonic wars, when the hungry and poor of Manchester gather to protest and demand universal suffrage, only to be stormed by the overzealous military and suffer dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. ‘Peterloo’ is out on the 2nd of November in the UK, and on the 5th of April 2019 in the US, check out our LFF review here.
Peterloo trailer (courtesy of eOne)
Birds of Passage
Image Source: Curzon
The official competition participation on Wednesday came in the form of Colombian cinema, as directors Ciro Guerra and Cristina Gallego followed up their 2015 existential Amazonian odyssey ‘Embrace of the Serpent’ with a unique tribal take on the drug trafficking drama with ‘Birds of Passage’.
It tells a story set in indigenous northern Colombia and spanning the late 1960s to the early 1980s, chronicling the rise in power if the Wayuu tribe when an outsider marries into one of their prominent families and begins a marijuana smuggling operation, but while the riches grow so do the problems, as they drift further away from their sacred traditions and reap the consequences in this tribal parable of greed and corruption. ‘Birds of Passage’ is out on the 13th of February 2019 in the US, with no confirmed UK release date yet.
Birds of Passage LFF clip (courtesy of BFI)
The Fight
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The middle of week two at the LFF this year also saw the feature screenwriting and directorial debut for Jessica Hynes, as the British comedy favourite brought along her producers Jason Maza and David Wade, and her co-stars Noel Clarke, Rhona Mitra, Christopher Fairbank, Anita Dobson, Alice Lowe for a ‘Journey’ strand premiere of their transformation drama ‘The Fight’. It tells the tale of a wife and working mother of three who’s overwhelmed by life and her responsibilities, pushed to breaking point after a confronting reunion with a childhood rival, prompting her to regain control of her life and learn to stand up for herself by stepping into the boxing ring. ‘The Fight’ has no confirmed release dates yet.
The Fight LFF clip (courtesy of BFI)
Thursday the 18th
The Favourite
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The second Thursday at the LFF is fast becoming Yorgos Lanthimos day as the singular Greek filmmaker returned to London after gracing the Leicester Square red carpet last year for ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’, bringing with him his latest unique cinematic concoction and most accessible film to date ‘The Favourite’; a subversive costume drama set in warring 18th century England and the reign of an ailing Queen Anne, defined by increasingly bizarre behaviour and her relationship with influential confidante Duchess Sarah Churchill, whose distant, socially disgraced cousin arrives to upset the balance at court and create a triangle of power.
The director was on hand accompanied by his stars Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss, James Smith, Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman and Emma Stone, ‘The Favourite’ is out on the 23rd of November in the US, and on the 1st of January 2019 in UK cinemas, you can see our LFF review here.
The Favourite at the LFF (Courtesy of BFI)
In Fabric
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Thursday also signalled some further official competition action when writer/director Peter Strickland brought his latest subversive and unique cult cinematic creation ‘In Fabric’ to the LFF—a kinky, macabre and darkly comical ghost story set in a bizarre department store during its busy sales period, where a mysterious dress brings unexpected and dark consequences for those it drapes over. Strickland was present and flanked by his stars Jaygann Ayeh, Barry Adamson, Fatma Mohamed, Julian Barratt, Gwendoline Christie, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Steve Ora, ‘In Fabric’ has no confirmed UK or US dates yet.
In Fabric LFF clip (courtesy of BFI)
The White Crow
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The LFF bore witness to the fruit of Ralph Fiennes’ directorial labours on Thursday when the British acting great was accompanied on the red carpet by his cast and crew, including stars Oleg Ivenko and Adèle Exarchopoulos, for a gala screening of their Rudolf Nureyev biopic ‘The White Crow’; a predominantly Russian language chronicle of the makings of a Soviet ballet legend and the difficult personality which forged a standout artist, through his time in Paris and notorious defection to the West in 1961. ‘The White Crow’ has no confirmed release dates yet.
The White Crow at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Dragged Across Concrete
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Cult film devotee and exploitation cinema revivalist S. Craig Zahler kept his 100% LFF attendance status intact on Thursday when he was joined by one of his supporting stars Tory Kittles for a ‘Cult’ strand screening of his latest unapologetic and brutal thriller ‘Dragged Across Concrete’—A tale of two disgraced cops who plunge into the criminal underworld and take matters into their own hands after being suspended for misconduct and police brutality. ‘Dragged Across Concrete’ as no confirmed UK or US dates yet.
Friday the 19th
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
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The second Friday’s proceedings at the LFF this year were crowned by a headline gala which saw comedy superstar Melissa McCarthy in rare drama mode, as she was joined by co-star Richard E. Grant and producer Amy Nauiokas on the Leicester Square red carpet for a screening of their biographical drama ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’. A comedic and melancholy take on the life of the notorious and unrepentant Lee Israel, a witty New York writer who creates a lucrative, deceptive and illegal sideline—forging personal letters from great deceased writers and artistic figures—when her literary career begins to wane and her work no longer pays the bills. ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ is out now in the US, and on the 1st of February 2019 in the UK .
Can You Ever Forgive Me? at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Shadow (Ying)
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The official competition screening of the day took the shape of a visually stunning Chinese semi-historical epic from one of the country’s most legendary directors, as cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding brought Zhang Yimou’s ‘Shadow’ to LFF audiences.
Set the end of the ‘Three Kingdom’s’ era in warring third century China, where an arrogant young king languishes on the throne of Pei and holds to a peace accord, putting him at odds with his revered commander who yearns to reclaim their city from powerful rival neighbours, setting in motion a complex and deceptive conspiracy for power . . . with conflict looming on the rainswept horizon. ‘Shadow’ has no UK or US dates yet, you can see our LFF review here.
Shadow trailer (courtesy of BFI)
Assassination Nation
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Friday also saw a ‘Cult’ strand gala screening for Sam Levinson’s clever and unhinged meditation on today’s America, as one of the film’s stars Hari Nef walked the Leicester Square red carpet to bring LFF audiences a glimpse of ‘Assassination Nation’. An outrageous, socially conscious tale of violent anarchy to reflect modern America’s ills—centred on the suburban town of Salem where the residents lose their minds after the last semblance of privacy and order is destroyed, leading to pure unadulterated mayhem . . . as a clique of high school girls at the centre of it come together to survive the night. ‘Assassination Nation’ is out now in the US, and on the 23rd of November in the UK, you can see our LFF review here.
Hari Nef on Assassination Nation at the LFF (courtesy of PremiereScene)
Burning (Beoning)
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Celebrated South Korean writer/director and LFF regular Lee Chang-Dong also returned to the festival on Friday along with his star Steven Yeun, for a ‘Thrill’ strand gala screening of their moody and mysterious character drama ‘Burning’; a tense and reflective portrait of modern South Korean youth revolving around a young couple of former childhood friends who reunite, only to have their world uprooted when a nonchalant, successful and mysterious young man with troubling predilections enters the picture, making this an unconventional love triangle doomed to tragedy. ‘Burning’ is out on the 9th of November in the US, and on the 1st of February 2019 in UK cinemas.
Burning trailer (courtesy of BFI)
Woman at War (Kona Fer í Stríð)
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The strength of Nordic and Scandinavian film at this year’s LFF was underlined on Friday with a ‘Laugh’ strand screening for one of the hidden gems at this year’s event, Benedikt Erlingsson’s delightfully droll comedy/drama ‘Woman at War’. It tells the tale of Middle-aged Icelander who leads a double life as an upstanding Reykjavik choir director while moonlighting as a militant environmental activist, wreaking havoc on the country’s industry—but when the net closes in and her prospects for adoption improve, this determined, irrepressible spirit will be forced to make a tough decision . . . and face the consequences of her actions. ‘Woman at War’ is out on the 3rd of May 2019 in the UK, you can check out our LFF review here.
Woman at War trailer (courtesy of SolaMedia)
Saturday the 20th
A Private War
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The penultimate day at this year’s festival culminated in a glitzy ‘Mayor of London’s Gala’ screening of Matthew Heineman’s harrowing biographical drama and tribute to intrepid journalists ‘A Private War’; an ode to journalists and the sacrifices they make through the prism of award-winning ‘The Sunday Times’ war correspondent Marie Colvin’s career, chronicling her struggle to shine a light on the true costs of global conflict, and the personal price she paid for it, all the way to her death covering the horrific and intractable Syrian civil war in 2012.
Heineman was joined on the Leicester Square red carpet by his star Rosamund Pike and co-stars Stanley Tucci, Tom Hollander and Jamie Dornan, ‘A Private War’ is out on the 16th of November in the US, with no UK date yet.
A Private War at the LFF (Courtesy of BFI)
If Beale Street Could Talk
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After flying under the festival’s radar with eventual Oscar-winner ‘Moonlight’ in 2016, writer/director Barry Jenkins returned to the LFF on Saturday with far more fanfare, as he graced the red carpet for a ‘Love’ gala screening of his tender romance, moving family drama and timeless meditation on race in America ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’—An adaptation of the James Baldwin novel set in 1970s New York, where a 19-year-old and her family struggle to prove the innocence of her falsely accused incarcerated young fiancé, before their unborn child comes into the unjust world.
Jenkins was joined on the red carpet by one of his stars Colman Domingo, producers Sara Murphy, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and composer Nicholas Britell. ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ is out in the US on the 30th of November, and in UK cinemas on the 8th of February 2019, you can see our review here.
If Beale Street Could Talk at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
The Hate U Give
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While Jenkins showcased his period piece meditation on racism and being black in America to the LFF, George Tillman Jr. brought his own adaptation of a novel and more contemporary take on the issue, joined by his star Amandla Stenberg and novelist Angie Thomas for a special presentation and last minute promotion for ‘The Hate U Give’. The story of a black teenager whose comfortable life is thrown into turmoil by the police shooting of her friend, transforming her into an activist confronting the ugly reality of life in America for minorities. ‘The Hate U Give’ is out now in UK and US cinemas.
The Hate U Give at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Blaze
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Saturday also saw American screen star Ethan Hawke pop over the pond in director mode for a ‘Create’ strand screening of his musical biopic and ode to struggling musicians ‘Blaze’; set in the 70s and 80s and chronicling the life of folk and country musician Blaze Foley, his self-destructive career and whirlwind romance with artist Sybil Rosen. ‘Blaze’ is out now in the US, with no UK date yet.
Ethan Hawke on Blaze at the LFF (courtesy of TheUpcoming)
Sunday the 21st
Stan & Ollie
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Sunday signalled the end of yet another eventful LFF, with the honour of closing the festival going to director Jon S. Baird and his two titular leads Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly, as they assembled on the Leicester Square red carpet for a world premiere of their biographical period dramedy ‘Stan & Ollie’; a poignant but lighthearted look at comedy titans Laurel and Hardy at the twilight of their career, as they begin a tour of post-war seaside Britain in a bid to reignite their popularity.
The director and his two stars were joined by co-stars Shirley Henderson, Nina Arianda and Rufus Jones, ‘Stan & Ollie’ is out in selected cities on the 28th of December in the US, on the 11th of January 2019 in UK cinemas.
Stan & Ollie at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Awards at the 2018 London Film Festival—>
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