Today is the day that both the press screenings and public ticket booking system goes live. If you want to book tickets to the festival, you can click right here to start booking. Our LFF coverage is already well underway and you can see all the posts relating to the 2012 LFF right here. We thought it may be nice to let you know what we’re interested in seeing so below is a list from some of the chaps who let you know what they want to see and why.
————–
Dave Roper
My own film tastes tend to be too populist for me to have much in the way of insight into the majority of films that do the festival circuit. Having looked at the list of what’s showing at the LFF, there seems to be a lot there that is likely to be very interesting, but the one that grabs my attention is Ben Affleck’s Argo. Gone Baby Gone and The Town were superlative films, belying Affleck’s inexperience behind the camera and it shows a commendable intent on his part to move beyond the familiarity of blue-collar Boston towards a broader, more complex canvas. Early word on Argo is extremely positive and Affleck seems to now be moving into a top-drawer second career phase as a serious film-maker. Definitely one to look out for.
—————-
Billy Langworthy
Room 237
Jon Lyus
Amour
Haneke’s latest is a must-see, the triumph in Cannes helped momentum build for the Austrian’s tale of love and loss in minute degrees.
Argo
Ben Affleck’s directorial career goes from strength to strength with this true story involving hostages and a fake sci-fi film. The supporting cast is fantastic, John Goodman appearing to be the standout and there looks to be much to enjoy here. Affleck is expected to be in town for the gala screening of the film so star-spotters can get their fix too.
Great Expectations
From the little we’ve seen Mike Newell seems to be making the most of the great cast here as well as getting the Dickensian filth looking as glamourous as ever. The scene with Jeremy Irvine and Ralph Fiennes which made it onto the internets recently showased an earnest outing for the classic.
Sightseers
Ben Wheatley’s follow up to Kill List has murder and romance in equal measure in this delightful Nuts in May from Hell. The film played well at FrightFest recently and Wheatley always brings something interesting with him wherever he goes.
Ginger and Rosa
Christina Hendricks, Elle Fanning, Annette Bening star in Sally Potter’s coming of age tale set in ’60s London.
Midnight’s Children
My most anticipated film of the festival. Salman Rushdie’s own adaptation of his novel played well on stage at the RSC a number of years ago but the cineliterate author’s work should work even better on the big screen.
—————-
Kenji Lloyd
Argo
There’s no question that Ben Affleck has cemented his abilities behind the camera. His directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, was outstanding, with a terrific performance from his brother Casey Affleck in the lead, and he went on to outdo himself with The Town, casting himself at the head of a fantastic cast. Based on an extraordinary true story, Argo is promising to be one of the finest films of the year, and another stellar feature from Affleck behind the camera, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Onwards to the Oscars from here.
Celeste and Jesse Forever
This is my must-see film of the festival – which is precisely why I bought tickets to see it as soon as they went on sale. Starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg in the lead, and written by Jones and long-time friend Will McCormack, the film debuted at Sundance to brilliant reviews, and was released by Sony Pictures Classics in the summer. I was sad it didn’t come to Sundance London back in April, and now I can’t wait to see it next month.
End of Watch
Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña teaming up to lead a film directed by the great David Ayer is enough to make me want to see End of Watch. I’m a huge fan of Gyllenhaal’s work, and am looking forward to seeing him alongside Peña, and after seeing it go to the top-spot at the US box office over the weekend, it looks set to be a must-see crime-drama this festival.
Ginger and Rosa
Sally Potter’s 1960s-set London tale sees the rising young Elle Fanning take the lead alongside up-and-coming Alice Englert, and with strong reviews coming out of TIFF, this is definitely one to watch. The magnificent Christina Hendricks and Annette Bening complete the cast brilliantly, and I have a feeling this is going to be a strong contender as part of the BFI LFF Official Competition selection.
Rust and Bone
Jacques Audiard (A Prophet) returns behind the camera to bring us Rust and Bone, a highly anticipated drama that sees Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts star in the leads. Earning strong praise coming out of Cannes, and following it this month with solid reviews from TIFF, I can only expect good things from three of the best-known people from outside of the US working in film at the moment.
Seven Psychopaths
Reuniting Martin McDonagh and Colin Farrell after the Oscar-nominated In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths is guaranteed to be a favourite this year. With its all-star cast alongside Farrell, including Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko, and Tom Waits, the film took the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award at TIFF, and is definitely going to be making waves here in London next month.
