London Film Festival 2015 Preview (Lights, Camera, Action!) Page 1

London Film Festival 2015 Preview (Lights, Camera, Action!)

Here's the maths bit: the 59th BFI London Film Festival runs from 7th to 18th October, and is a 12-day showcase of the best in cinema from around the world. This year's line-up is comprised of 238 feature length films and 182 shorts, including 16 world premieres and eight international premieres, all from 71 countries. The programme was announced this week and, with so much to choose from, Lights, Camera, Action!'s Freda Cooper has done all the hard work and picked her six of the best - in alphabetical order, just to be fair.

Black Mass

Touted as Johnny Depp's return to form after his 'Jack Sparrow Period,' this is the much-publicised story of notorious criminal, Whitey Bulger. An all-star cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch as Depp's brother. Expect action, violence, and Cumberbatch on the red carpet. Will Depp show up, as well? Who knows?
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Carol

A hit at this year's Cannes Festival, Cate Blanchett plays a glamorous woman trapped in a loveless marriage who becomes involved with a shop girl (Rooney Mara). Directed by Todd Haynes, the film is an early runner in the Oscars race. Blanchett will also be presented with a BFI Fellowship during the festival and Haynes will be hosting a Screen Talk.

He Named Me Malala

The standout documentary this year is the inspiring story of the remarkable teenage winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. It concentrates on her life in this country, since moving here permanently after the events that put her in the world spotlight.

Steve Jobs

The much-anticipated biopic of the Apple founder is directed by Danny Boyle and stars Michael Fassbender. That's two good reasons to see it already, and there are likely to be more. The film is also the festival's closing gala, so the 12 days should finish on a high.

Suffragette

The opening film was announced several weeks ago, but it's still a must-see. Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep, and Helena Bonham Carter are in the cast, Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady) wrote the script, and Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane) is in the Director's chair, so it ticks a long line of boxes, starting with diversity and quality.
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The Program

From heroism to cheating, with the story of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong and the journalist who exposed his drug taking during the Tour De France. Brit Stephen Frears (Philomena) directs Chris O'Dowd as the journalist, and the chameleon-like Ben Foster in the title role, which could catapult him onto the A-list.

Other titles include Beasts of No Nation, with Idris Elba in a harrowing story about child soldiers in Africa, Bryan Cranston with full head of hair and 'tache as a blacklisted screenwriter in Trumbo, and Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel hiding from the world in a spa resort in Youth.

The full line up is on the BFI website, together with the all-important times, dates, and how to book tickets. Public booking opens on the 17th of this month, but BFI members can grab their tickets on the 10th. Lights, Camera, Action! will be at the LFF in October to bring readers all the news and reviews, so be sure to stay tuned for more.

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