I'll cut straight to the chase. It
was with a sense of optimism that I opened the press email for this
October's London Film Festival (12th-27th) that included details for the 55th annual event. It'll host 204 features over 16
days, screening 13 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres and 22 European
Premieres, which has naturally created quite a buzz on Twitter with the collection on offer.
As per August's Empire Presents BIG SCREEN, I shall be attending
as press for Live For Films with the intention of seeing as many films as humanly possible. Suffice to say I am very excited having read the festival programme, so take a peek at some I've spotted...
#10. THE FUTURE
Director: Miranda July
Stars: Miranda July
Synopsis: When a couple decides to adopt a stray cat their perspective on life
changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing
their faith in each other and themselves.
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#9. THE IDES OF MARCH
Director: George Clooney
Stars: George
Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti
Synopsis: An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash
course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the
play by Beau Willimon.
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#8. ALPS
Director: Giorgos
Lanthimmos
Stars: Aris Servetalis, Johnny Vekris
Synopsis: Adhering to a set of rules, a group of people offer themselves to fill the void during the mourning period for recently bereaved families.
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#7. A DANGEROUS METHOD
Director: David Cronenberg
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Viggo
Mortensen
Synopsis: A look at how the intense relationship between Carl Jung and
Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis.
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#6. SHAME
Director: Steve McQueen
Stars: Michael
Fassbender, Carey Mulligan
Synopsis: A drama centered on
30-something Brandon, his myriad sexual escapades, and what happens when his
wayward younger sister moves in with him.
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#5. SNOWTOWN
Director: Justin Kurzel
Stars: Daniel Henshall, Lucas Pittaway
Synopsis: When 16 year-old
Jamie begins a friendship with a charismatic man, his world becomes threatened
by his loyalty and fear of his newfound father figure, John Bunting:
Australia's most notorious serial killer.
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#4. 50/50
Director: Jonathan Levine
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen
Synopsis: A comedic account of
a 27-year-old guy's cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the
disease.
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#3. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Director: Lynne Ramsey
Stars: Tilda Swinton,
John C. Riley
Synopsis: The mother of a
teenage boy who went on a high-school killing spree tries to deal with her
grief -- and feelings of responsibility for her child's actions -- by writing
to her estranged husband.
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#2. THE ARTIST
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Stars: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo
Synopsis: Hollywood, 1927: As
silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures
will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young
dancer set for a big break.
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#1. TAKE SHELTER
Director: Jeff Nicols
Stars: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain
Synopsis: Plagued by a series
of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter
his family from a coming storm, or from himself.
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Synopsis Sources: Internet Movie Database
Photos: Google Images
