Last month marked the 64th London Film Festival - a hybrid virtual / physical festival this year, due to the every-changing challenges that 2020 presents. Being lucky enough to digitally attend the Press & Industry screenings, we wanted to share a few of our highlights with you.
Supernova
An absolutely heartbreaking tale of ageing love, with powerhouse performances from Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci that are likely to be in consideration when it comes to awards season. Not always an easy watch for those with a history of dementia in their family, director Harry Macqueen takes care to ensure that the disease, and the way it affects everyone it touches, is handled as sensitively as possible.
Nomadland
A quiet, meditative, and, at times, euphoric film about those in their 60s and 70s whose lives were torn apart following the 2008 economic crash. This may be Frances McDormand's best performance to date, which is saying something considering her filmography and awards history.
Cicada
An impressive debut from director Matthew Fifer and writer Sheldon D. Brown, with astonishing vulnerable performances from both in this New York based LGBTQIA+ love story about forming connections and confronting past traumas together.
Another Round (Druk)
The winner of this year's 'Best Film' prize, Another Round sees Mads Mikkelsen and Thomas Vinterberg reunite following 2012's The Hunt. Following four friends who decide to test a theory that maintaining a blood alcohol level of 0.5 will improve their lives, in true Vinterberg style the film's tone constantly treads the fine line between hilarity and tragedy.
Ammonite
Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan have 11 Academy Award nominations between them (with one win for Winslet for The Reader), and it's therefore no surprise that the pair continue to impress in Francis Lee's follow up to his beautiful LGBTQIA+ love story God's Own Country. Although Winslet's Mary Anning was a real person, this is a fictionalised account of her love affair with geologist Charlotte Murchison (Ronan).
The Human Voice
Tilda Swinton. Pedro Almodóvar. Jean Cocteau. A 30 minute short film adaptation of the stage play, and a vibrant showcase for all involved.