Emirates British Film Festival 2014 coming in November
CHECK out some award-worthy contenders and British classics at the upcoming Emirates British Film Festival. Hieu Chau breaks down the festival programme and recommends his picks.
Catch a slate of excellent British films tipped to be major award contenders come 2014-2015 awards season at the Emirates British Film Festival in November.
The festival which is into a second year, will screen various films Britain has produced in the past year and select classics from the past. Screenings will be held at Palace Cinemas Como, Balwyn and Brighton Bay from November 5.
Below are some suggestions on films we think might be worth checking out!
Award-worthy Features (The Imitation Game, Mr Turner)
Image supplied.
The Imitation Game looks like it could very well be one of the big films insiders will be talking about this awards season.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (TV’s Sherlock, 12 Years A Slave) with support from Keira Knightley (Begin Again, Pride and Prejudice), Matthew Goode (Stoker, Watchmen), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Allen Leech (Downton Abbey), the film is based on the life of Alan Turing; a mathematician and computer scientist who, during World War 2, managed to crack Nazi Germany’s Enigma code.
Mr Turner is also hotly tipped for some award, particularly with regards to the performance of Timothy Spall (best known as Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter series of films). The film is based on the life of famed artist, J M W Turner, one of the most iconic painters of the 19th century.
Classics from the ‘60s (If…, The Italian Job)
Image supplied.
These days, actor Michael Caine is mostly associated with the role of Alfred, Batman’s butler. For a chance to see the British veteran in his prime, check out the original version of The Italian Job.
The film is about a team of career criminals led by Michael Caine’s character who plan to steal a large amount of money from underneath the Italian authorities and mafia.
Meanwhile, If… stars a young Malcom McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) and is often considered a benchmark in the counterculture movement in the 1960s. The film sees a nonconformist lead a revolution against his school.
Best of the Rest (A Long Way Down, Lilting)
Image supplied.
Based on a Nick Hornby novel (About A Boy, High Fidelity), A Long Way Down features a star-studded cast in Pierce Brosnan (GoldenEye), Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine), Imogen Poots (Filth) and Aaron Paul (TV’s Breaking Bad) and mixes comedy and drama.
The film sees four strangers meet on New Year’s Eve and form something of a family as they help one another wrestle with their individual difficulties. The film also features a supporting appearance by Rosamund Pike, who not only is winning everyone over with her current star turn in Gone Girl, but can also be seen in What We Did on Our Holiday, also screening at the festival.
Lilting on the other hand is a powerful drama starring Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Cloud Atlas) about a man and his deceased lover’s Cambodian-Chinese mother who, with the help of a translator, slowly piece together the memories of a man they loved.
The Emirates British Film Festival will take place from November 5 to November 26 in Melbourne at select Palace Cinemas venues (Como, Balywn, Brighton Bay). Tickets can be purchased right now.
For more information, including film programme, ticketing and other events, please refer to the Emirates British Film Festival’s official website to learn more.