Written by Laura Jenkinson
The Don Boyd retrospective that forms part of this year’s festival kicked off tonight with1998’s Lucia. This was preceded with a talk from Patrick Hazard on the importance of Don Boyd’s work, before Boyd himself took the microphone. He explained the reasons for his focussing this dramatic piece on Donizetti’s opera Lucia di Lammermoor. It began when Boyd was a young boy, with a passion for the original historical novel The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott, whom was regarded as a bit of a celebrity, and was a character of particular interest to Boyd. The opera gave him a wonderful opportunity he said: it is “drenching with beautiful music”, which, with the chance to play with beautiful costumes and scenery, is an “irresistible opportunity” for the filmmaker. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Annabelle Butterworth
The foyer was buzzing in anticipation for the sold-out opening film of the festival. Queues of people jostled to pick up their tickets and the showing was put back by 15 minutes in order to get everyone through the door and seated in time. One man begged the box office, fruitlessly, for any returns.
I sat near the back of the cinema, surrounded by Italian voices whispering to one another.
I recognised one particularly husky, resonant baritone from amongst the hustle and bustle of the opening reception earlier on in the night, where the slick hair, silk shirts and black jackets made it feel ever so slightly like being among the cast of The Sopranos. I had chuckled to myself, wondering in what way they were connected to tonight’s screening. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Laura Jenkinson
A really fine start to the LIDF; The Opening Reception in the Garden Room of the Barbican, with the last golden shafts of sun streaming through the high windows and gilding the flora and fauna, as filmmakers and LIDF worker bees mingled with a glass of wine before Napoli Napoli Napoli, the first event of the Festival. Don Boyd held court as filmmakers and guests had a chance to meet eachother and relax in the always-impressive rooms of the Barbican Centre, just one of the varied Festival venues on offer. Spirits were high; glasses were broken; cheers were raised…and the Festival started…
Written by Grace Pattison
The 2010 programme has now opened online with titles being added daily. Incredibly, our opening film, Abel Ferrara’s Napoli, Napoli, Napoli has sold out already! Other films at during our opening weekend at the Barbican are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to book now. Plus while you’re at the Barbican, check out Toby Smith’s incredible Madagascar: Bois de Rose – in the Mezzanine gallery, beautiful images and a gripping story about illegal logging on the African island. The work is on display from 17th April – 26th April. Watch out for more updates and a down-loadable PDF of the whole programme coming soon!
© Toby Smith/Reportage by Getty Images
