LFF: Tell your story

There are several reasons why film festivals become addictive to fans and critics. There's nothing like the feeling of seeing something amazing before you've ever heard anything about it. And the range of movies is much more diverse than what makes it out into general release, so a festival opens up places, cultures and even filmmaking styles you've never seen before. It's tricky with a programme like the 65th BFI London Film Festival, because it's impossible to see even a third of the films. So here are a few more that I managed to catch - including two of my very favourites so far...

Flee
dir-scr Jonas Poher Rasmussen; voices Rashid Aitouganov, Daniel Karimyar 21/Den ****.
Bracingly cinematic, this documentary traces an Afghan refugee's staggeringly involving story. Because much of his journey wasn't captured on film, and since he prefers to remain anonymous, his story is gorgeously animated by director Jonas Poher Rasmussen in a range of hand-drawn styles. But it's so detailed and skilfully put together that it's hugely involving on a range of levels, both in the bigger themes and the darker emotions... FULL REVIEW >

Benediction
dir-scr Terence Davies; with Jack Lowden, Peter Capaldi 21/UK *****
Master filmmaker Terence Davies takes a gorgeously poetic look at the life of poet Siegfried Sassoon, blending moments that are funny, sexy and wrenchingly emotional into a stunning collage of powerful moments. Grappling with the nature of time and mortality, the film is a swirl of punchy scenes and period newsreel footage that isn't afraid to tackle hard truths about humanity. It's an elegantly devastating work of art.

Shepherd
dir-scr Russell Owen; with Tom Hughes, Kate Dickie 21/UK **.
This British horror thriller is so atmospheric that it's almost overwhelming. The sound mix alone is ceaselessly jarring, with added unsettling imagery and a story that plays on some deep emotional issues. So it's more than a little frustrating that writer-director Russell Owen keeps the scary stuff on the surface, rather than mining the complex underlying themes. Still, it looks and sounds amazing, and features superbly evocative performances.

Money Has Four Legs 
dir Maung Sun; with Okkar (Dat Khe), Ko Thu 20/Mya ****
Not only is this a rare film out of Myanmar, it's also a knowing comedy about Myanmar's movie industry. With a low-key pace, it gently pokes fun at the absurdities of filmmaking in general, but also specific issues in nations with their own challenges. And the earthy, realistic approach takes the audience into the messy life of a young filmmaker battling obstacles to make his first real movie.

Full reviews of festival films will be published as possible and linked at Shadows' LFF HOMEPAGE 
For full information, visit BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 

LFF: Face your fears

I deliberately took it a bit slowly today at the virtual London Film Festival, watching only one festival film. Although I've still been staring at the computer screen, because I used the time to write up some reviews. I also needed to watch a couple of non-festival films for work purposes, leading to more writing - it's a never-ending circle! Anyway, here are some more LFF highlights... 

WolfWalkers

dir Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart; voices Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker 20/Ire ****

With beautiful storybook-style animation, this Irish animated adventure harks back to a magical time. Children will love the tale's darker edges, as it never shies away from enjoyably yucky realities or political tensions between Ireland and its interloping British rulers. So even if the line between good and evil is a bit too clear-cut, the characters are hugely engaging, and the story takes several surprising twists and turns... FULL REVIEW >

Siberia

dir Abel Ferrara; with Willem Dafoe, Dounia Sichov 20/It 1h31 ***.

A provocative, often baffling collision of ideas and feelings, this bonkers film is impossible to watch at face value, as filmmaker Abel Ferrara takes a dreamlike dive into the psyche of a grizzled man played by frequent collaborator Willem Dafoe. The settings have a fable-like quality, with imagery that seems to come directly from the subconscious. It's a gorgeously assembled existential odyssey that's alternately funny, horrific and unnervingly thoughtful... FULL REVIEW >

Wildfire

dir-scr Cathy Brady; with Nora-Jane Noone, Nika McGuigan 20/UK **.

Almost terrifyingly current, this drama set in Northern Ireland tells a story set against the fragile peace that has held since the 1998 Good Friday agreement, which the UK government is currently violating with its Brexit plans. The tone of this film is very gloomy, which matches the grim themes. But because it's so relentlessly bleak, writer-director Cathy Brady never achieves the catharsis the story seems to be seeking... FULL REVIEW >

Time 

dir Garrett Bradley; with Sibil Fox Richardson, Robert Richardson 20/US ****

Using a collage of black and white images, both new and from grainy home video, this artful, astute documentary explores America's thriving mass-incarceration industry, which disproportionately targets mainly poor people from ethnic communities. Filmmaker Garrett Bradley has a terrific eye for imagery and storytelling rhythms, drawing the audience deeply into the story. She packs so much into 81 minutes that this film feels like an urgent epic... FULL REVIEW >

NB. My anchor page for the LFF is HERE and full reviews will appear in between these daily blog entries. Yes, there's a backlog.