The curtain opener for the 25th Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) is a bold adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte’s gothic masterpiece. Directed by Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank) this starkly beautiful film captures the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire landscape. The festival’s closing gala features the much anticipated Shame, directed by Steve McQueen (Hunger) and starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan.
Programme & Venues
This year the vast programme of films is divided into six distinct threads – Official Selection, Fanomenon, Thought Bubble, Cinema Versa, Short Film City and Cherry Kino. There is something for most tastes. If horror is your preferred genre then Fanomenon should satisfy your demands whilst Cinema Versa is the home of documentary films and the Official Selection is championing great cinema from around the world. Screenings will take place at venues across the city from the grand surroundings of Leeds Town Hall to cinema gem Hyde Park Picture House.
Film Premieres and New Releases
The Official Selection has some exciting UK premieres. These include Romanian ‘new wave’ film Best Intention, Swedish psychological drama Fuerteventura and US indie flick New Jerusalem.
New releases being shown at the festival include Snowtown, made by the Australian offshoot of Yorkshire’s pioneering Warp films (This is England). Oscar tipped comedy The Artist has just been confirmed as the final film of the festival on 20th November. Gore-fest Inbred has added Leeds to its list of festival preview screenings - this warped, Yorkshire set feature has been described as the illegitimate love child of chilling Belgium horror Calvaire (The Ordeal) and The League of Gentlemen.
Special Events
Paul Merton hosts Silent Clowns at the Town Hall on 9th November. This celebration of silent cinema includes work by Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy. Film extracts will be accompanied by pianist Neil Brand with the Prima Vista Social Club Band.
Fans of blood and gore are in for a treat with two Fanomenon horror marathons. The 11th Night of the Dead takes place on 5th November from midnight at Hyde Park whilst the newly revamped City Varieties is the scene of Day of the Dead 5 on 12th November. Films include Cuban zombie comedy Juan of the Dead.
Thought Bubble is the UK’s largest celebration of sequential art, including comics, graphic novels and animation. The festival includes a two day convention (19th to 20th November) with appearances by leading artists and writers such as Tim Sale (Batman) and Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman).
Retrospectives
The Town Hall is the location for screenings of some classic Science Fiction , including Invasion of the Body Snatchers (various dates), Alien (6 November) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (13th November).
The festival also offers the chance to revisit (or enjoy for the first time) some stunning animation such as Israeli film Waltz with Bashir, Japanese prize winning Colorful and the funny and poignant Persepolis, based on the graphic novels of Iranian Marjane Satrapi.
Documentary Films
Cinema Versa is the documentary strand of LIFF. Music on Film is one of the themes and a highlight of the festival is likely to be Beat is the Law – Fanfare for the Common People which focuses on iconic band Pulp.
Underground Voices is another theme of Cinema Versa and, as part of this, the extraordinary documentary I am Jesus profiles three different characters (including ex- secret service agent David Shayler) all claiming to be the second coming of Christ. Sound it Out, a film about the last independent record shop in Teeside, has already received rave reviews.
Short Films
Short Film City showcases work from around the globe, both new and archive. The diversity in short film making is illustrated with screenings of fiction, documentary, animation and fantasy. The International Short Film Competition features some of the most aclaimed work of the year and includes selections from Cannes and Venice film festivals. Closer to home the Yorkshire Short Film Competition (12 November) celebrates the regions new talent - and includes Tetley's - Quality Pays, a documentary about the sad closure of the Leeds brewing institution.
One of the highlights of the short film events is the World Animation Competition, which takes place on the 5th November at the Town Hall. The screening includes the award winning animated dark comedy Something left, Something Taken - which is about a couple of tourists in San Francisco who encounter a man they believe to be the imfamous Zodiac killer.
Free Events
Lack of money is no excuse to miss out on the festival. This year all Cherry Kino screenings are free – with the programme being described as ‘films that fill you with, and make you, wonder.’ Screenings include the newly restored and subtitled Japanese surreal ‘masterpiece’ Galaxy.
As part of Thought Bubble, free graphic novels will be available from the central public libraries in both Leeds and Bradford on 18th November. In addition, there is a free filmmaking workshop for young people (8 to 14 years) on 15th November.
Ticket Information
There are individual tickets, special offers and festival passes available - details of which are available on the LIFF site.
Jacqui Taylor - I am a part-time librarian, art student and writer. Previously I have done a wide range of jobs - from selling theatre tickets to teaching ...
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