As British film fans are undoubtedly aware, the 55th BFI London Film Festival is almost upon us. Running from 12th to 27th October, the UK’s premier film event has a startling line-up of 300 feature-length and short films, and will showcase talent from all around the world.
Much has been made of the festival’s big hitters, such as Fernando Meirelles’ 360, Terence Davies’ THE DEEP BLUE SEA, and Alexander Payne’s THE DESCENDANTS, but what viewers may not realise is that the festival will be screening a range of classics to compliment its vast array of new talent.
This special strand of the London Film Festival, will see the BFI delve into famous vaults to bring viewers the ‘Treasures of the Archives’, a collection of 15 classic, seminal, and influential works. Here are just some of the highlights to be screened at the BFI’s National Film Theatre:
AMERICA AMERICA (1963)
Director: Elia Kazan
Cast: Stathis Giallelis, Frank Wolff, Harry Davis, Elena Karam, John Marley
Screening: 23rd October, 12.00pm, NTF1
Adapted from Kazan’s own novel about his uncle’s experiences, this film remains the director’s most personal and emotionally engaging film. It follows a Greek youth fleeing from Turkish oppression and journeying his way to America, the promised land. With its stark aesthetics and unknown cast, AMERICA AMERICA has a documentary feel, and the picture went on to win an Oscar for Gene Callahan’s art direction.
THE CAINE MUTINY (1954)
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, José Ferrer, Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray, Robert Francis
Screening: 22nd October, 4.00pm, NFT1
A huge success at the box office, THE CAINE MUTINY tells the story of veteran naval officer Queeg (Bogart) who, whilst aboard a minesweeper in the South Pacific, begins to show signs of cracking under the pressures of WW2 combat. When fellow officer Maryck (Johnson) makes a diagnosis of extreme paranoia, he attempts to wrestle command of the vessel from Queeg; an act of mutiny that leads Maryck to a court martial. Adapted from Herman Wouk’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel.
BYE BYE BIRDIE (1963)
Director: George Sidney
Cast: Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke, Ann-Margret, Maureen Stapleton, Bobby Rydell
Screening: 23rd October, 6.15pm, NFT1
The film that gave birth to Ann-Margret’s career, BYE BYE BIRDIE is a colourful satire on the music industry, and the worship of rock ‘n’ roll superstars. When music idol Conrad Birdie (Pearson) is drafted, his songwriter (Van Dyke) arranges for a farewell appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and for Birdie to lay a symbolic goodbye kiss on one lucky, middle-America lady, (Ann-Margret), an act that causes some friction with her boyfriend and parents. Beautifully restored and featuring some classic swinging songs and dancing.
For further information on ‘Treasures of the Archives’ click here
For full BFI London Film Festival line-up click here
The 55th BFI London Film Festival runs 12th-27th October 2011
