As always, the Leeds International Film Festival brings a bevy of star-studded films to the region when it starts today. George Cloooney and co. star in an adaptation of Jon Ronson’s book The Men Who Stare At Goats, whilst Jane Campion’s Bright Star provides an elegant opening guardian. You can also check out A Serious Man, the latest film from The Coen Brothers and a chance to see Julian ‘Mighty Boosh’ Barratt in person in the concert film The Mighty Boosh: Journey of the Children. But, as always, one of the joys of a film festival is to search out and discover those lesser known films that are sure to amaze and astound. Here are just a few of the hidden gems that you can go out and find as the festival runs between the 4thand 22nd November.
Look out for The Third Part of the Night, a classic Polish film from Andrzej Żuławski, a director with – it’s safe to say – a touch of madness. Expect the surreal, the confrontational and – most importantly – the exciting as this is a great example of the director’s work. If you’ve never experienced Żuławski before then this will make the perfect starting place. The surreal and the bizarre will also continue in The Human Centipede, a twisted experience in the vein of Canadian director David Cronenberg. Not for the feint of heart, this slice of body horror is an excellent addition to Fanomenon, the strand of LIFF that focuses upon the cult and the bizarre.
If you need to calm down then The Happiest Girl In The World is an excellent film in which to go and catch your breath. Romanian director Radu Jude – a winner of many accolades for his brilliant short films – has crafted an elegant piece of work about a family that bickers as their daughter films an advert for a car that she has won. Told in real time, this is a triumph of acting and story. Why not also check out the brilliant British feature Crying With Laughter an engrossing comedy thriller about a stand-up comedian narrating his own shattered life. This is UK film at its absolute best, with Joey Fisk giving a blinding performance in the central role. You should really make the effort to go out and support a top notch film from our very own shores
The moving and beautiful Italian film La Pivellina is also worth seeking out. The Italian film sees a travelling family faced with possibility of looking after a toddler who has been abandoned by her mother. As the girl gradually becomes part of their brood, they face up to the possibility that the real mother may return for her offspring. Filmed in a remarkably naturalistic style, this takes in themes of familial responsibility and prejudice to create a unique and affecting film. West of Pluto also uses a naturalistic style and is quite astounding, and probably one of the best films you will ever see about teenage life. And growing up – but in a very, very different way – is covered in Dogtooth a brain twisting Greek film about a group of youngsters kept in isolation by their father. Disturbing, shocking and quite amazing make sure that you take the opportunity to check it out.
Add in some of the weird and wonderful shorts of Short Film City and the absolutely stonking Stingray Sam (which is a sci-fi, space, western musical in episodes which YOU HAVE TO SEE!) and that’s just a start for your exploration of the world of cinema at this year’s Leeds International Film Festival. I look forward to joining you on the journey!