Jodie Foster, Tilda Swinton, Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet and
newcomer Adepero Oduye - these are just some of the talented
actresses appearing on screen at the 55th BFI London
Film Festival. Jodie Foster stars as a New York wife in
Carnage, a Roman Polanski-directed satirical
comedy of manners that skewers the hypocrisies of the middle
classes.
Queer favourite Miranda July directs and performs in her film
The Future which is the only film this year you'll
see that's narrated by an injured stray cat. July continues to
showcase her fascination with offbeat characters who endear us with
their quirks and anxieties.
The downright anarchic - and cult film in the making - comes in
the form of Indian offering, Asshole. The film's
eponymous hero, 20-year-old Gandu (slang for asshole) isn't queer
in the literal sense but definitely hits all the right notes for
us. With a soundtrack inspired by the Asian Dub Foundation and shot
in quick edit black and white, the story of this young man and his
prostitute mother packs a punch.
The film we're most excited about is writer/director Dee Rees'
Pariah which premiered at Sundance to great
acclaim earlier this year. In it, Brooklyn teenager Alike
(Adepero Oduye) is confused about her sexuality. Rees, who says the
story is semi-autobigraphical, paints a powerful and challenging
story of a young woman's struggle against her family, community and
self. Painfully and brutally honest, this film looks destined to be
a lesbian classic.
Bi-curiosity is one of themes of the sexy and touching film
Uncle Kent which explores modern love with insight
and candour.
The Time Out Gala Screening promises to be one of the highlights
of the festival, however. Lynne Ramsay's long-awaited adaptation of
Lionel Shriver's harrowing high-school massacre novel, We
Need To Talk about Kevin, has wowed festival audiences
worldwide, with particular attention being paid to Tilda Swinton's
phenomenal lead performance.
If its gay-interest films you're after, queer directors Gus Van
Sant and Todd Solondz both feature with new work. Van Sant's
Restless stars actress Mia Wasikowska, (The Kids
Are All Right) a teenager struggling with a terminal illness, in a
film that owes much to Hal Ashby's 1973 cult classic, Harold and
Maude. And a new offering from South Africa/France is Oliver
Hermanus' Beauty. Winner of the Queer Palm at this
year's Cannes film festival, the film tenderly explores the life of
closeted Francois.
Britain's own Nirpal Bhogal delivers Sket, a
defiant girl-gang movie starring Lily Loveless (Skins) and a
brilliant young cast of actresses who create a bold female version
of Anuvahood.
That's it from us for now. Look out for reviews throughout the
festival.
The London Film Festival runs
October 12-27. For more information about the festival and to book
tickets visit bfi.org.uk/lff.
