Preview: The 16th Bradford International Film Festival

When it comes to film festivals, us folk who live in Yorkshire are pretty lucky. No matter what you like, you’ll find something catered for: shorts, documentaries, wild experimental films and just about everything else that can be found on the big screen. So it’s rather appropriate that one of our cities has been designated an official City Of Film. Afforded the honour by UNESCO earlier this year, Bradford is justifiably bursting with pride with its new designation. And the 16^th Bradford International Film Festival, with a diverse and eclectic selection of films and guests, definitely seems the right place to launch it. This year, whilst centred around it’s traditional home of the National Media Museum, the festival will also travel around the region to such places as the Hebden Bridge Picture House and the Otley Courthouse Arts Centre, so there’ll be no excuse to miss anything

Running from the 18^th-28^th March 2010, the festival promises a little bit of something with everyone. It opens with the UK Premiere of Perrier’s Bounty, a frenetic Irish gangster flick starring Cillian Murphy, Jim Broadbent (by far the best thing in the film) and Huddersfield’s own Jodie Whittaker. Whilst the clichés are piled on thick and fast throughout, there’s lots of energy on offer here (indeed a lot of it comes from Jim Broadbent seems to be having the time of his life as man who guzzles raw coffee to stay awake) and it’s certainly a lively way to kick-start the festival.

There’s more liveliness across the Moviedrome section, which previews many new films from across the world. Some of the highlights to look out for include Dogtooth ( a massive success at the Leeds International Film Festival and one of the films that had everyone talking – it’s a shattering but absolutely brilliant affair and if you haven’t seen it you should make sure that you go along) and the superior British film Crying With Laughter. Also make an appointment to see Life During Wartime, Todd Solondz’ dark deconstruction of modern US family life. Solondz’ presents a typically raw and unforgiving examination of life that those who admired films such as Happiness (for which this film serves as a follow up)and Storytelling will recognise. But it can also be painfully funny and there is some high quality acting from the likes of Ally Sheedy and Shirley Henderson. Iranian film No One Knows About Persian Cats, already highly regarded on the festival circuit, is another worthwhile discovery. After being released from prison, two  musicians decide to try and fulfil their ambitions of forming a band. But it’s a bit difficult in a regime that believes rock music is sinful. This is a wonderful film that examines ideas of conformity versus rebellion and oppression versus freedom from a fresh and exciting viewpoint. Avoiding polemic – though it’s not afraid to be critical when it needs to be – it’s an informative and moving film. Splinters is a Polish film that echoed the spirits of Ken Loach and Mike Leigh with a distinctly Central European twist. Set in a Silesian region of Poland, the film presents three different stories of characters with differing backgrounds. Touching upon issues of class, race and identity the film provides strong drama but with an undercurrent of humour (look out for the Polish Elvis) to create an extremely affecting movie. Other big films to check out include Bad Lieutentant (a completely barking re-imaging of the Abel Ferrara film from Werner Herzog), Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It and Greenberg, the Ben Stiller starring film from the director of the underrated Noah And The Whale. There’s also the UK Premiere of Four Lions, the new film from Chris Morris but look out for more information about that on Culture Vulture over the next week or so…

Special sections of the festival include a look at New Canadian Cinema and the latest selection of unseen US film in Uncharted States of America (a particular recommendation for It Was Great, But I Was Ready To Come Home, which is an exemplary sample of microbudget filmmaking.) There’s a section devoted to US Teen Movies called, what else?, Don’t You Forget About Me (and if you really need to know why the section is called that, then you better get along to the screening of The Breakfast Club as soon as you can). The Cinefile section does yet another fine job of shining the light back on cinema with a selection of excellent documentaries about films and filmmakers whilst the Widescreen Weekend will allow you to see some classics in all their glory. And, as always, BIFF brings some special guests with legendary actor John Hurt, just as legendary actress Imelda Staunton and Fernando Meirelles, the man behind films such as City of God and The Constant Gardener. And – to catch your breath after all that – you can see the World Digital Premiere of children’s classic The Railway Children as the closing film which will surely provide a lovely tribute for director and actor Lionel Jeffries who sadly passed away a few weeks ago.

The Bradford International Film Festival has always been a place to discover the new whilst celebrating the past, and the 16^th edition is no exception. In launching the City Of Film, the BIFF will remind you the true delights that cinemas can offer whilst giving due respect to those who helped pave the way.