LIDF 2011
Martin Scorsese’s highly personal profile of Elia Kazan, Brigitte Berman’s “Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel”, and Steven Soderberg’s entertaining portrait of the late, great monologist Spalding Gray will all be making their UK premieres at this year’s LIDF.
A Portrait of ……. is one of several new thematic strands introduced for LIDF 2011 and will kick off with a special preview (and Q&A with the director) of the highly acclaimed “Senna”, which charts the life and impact of Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna.
Other prominent strands are: Arab Documentary Cinema – Life & Identity, which casts a revealing spotlight on the complex issues behind the ongoing troubles in the Middle East; Privacy & Press Freedom which includes the films “Article 12” (featuring Noam Chomsky and Brian Eno amongst others) and “In the Shadows of Death’ an up-close portrait of Roberto Saviano the Italian author of Gomorrah.
In all more than 140 films from 44 countries – on topics as diverse as Happiness, Berlin Cabaret, Morrismen, Women in Afghanistan, Cueca in London, embedded journalism, migration, and World Music – will be shown over the 15 days of the festival. And with Hollywood’s elite choosing LIDF for premieres, as well as an impressive line-up of award-winning documentaries from emerging talent around the globe, the festival offers up a feast of film and debate – a truly international programme, and a London-wide celebration of the constantly invigorating world of documentary film. A festival of ideas, for connecting people, for stirring empathy, compassion and ultimately action, a festival for all those who want informed and critical debate.
