The British Council Israel announces the return of the British Film Festival with ten films making their Israeli premiere at the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa cinematheques between February 4 – 12, 2012.
The exciting line-up selected by British Council Arts Manager Naomi Michaeli represents a wide spectrum of genre and style: traditional British drama, documentary films, literary adaptation and even a horror flick. Returning after a two-year break, the popular festival will also feature lectures and social events. To get the fun started, the British Council will celebrate the first anniversary of the radio show The Selector (produced by the British Council and broadcast by the IDC Herzliya radio), dedicated to playing new British music. The party will take place on January 27, 2012, with DJ James Blake.
The Films:
Tyrannosaur (UK 2011), written and directed by Paddy Considine
The story of Joseph (Peter Mullan), a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As Joseph’s life spirals into turmoil a chance of redemption appears in the form of Hannah (Olivia Colman), a Christian charity shop worker. Their relationship develops to reveal that Hannah is hiding a secret of her own with devastating consequences for both of them.
Weekend (UK 2011), directed by Andrew Haigh
A one-night stand that becomes something more – an unconventional love story between two young men trying to make sense of their lives. On a Friday night after hanging out with his straight mates, Russell (Tom Cullen) heads out to a nightclub, alone and on the pull. Just before closing, he meets Glen (Chris New). And so begins a weekend – in bars and bedrooms, getting drunk and taking drugs, telling stories and having sex – that will resonate throughout their lives.
Submarine (UK 2010), written and directed by Richard Ayoade
Ayoade’s directorial debut feature, is a coming-of-age comedy/drama about Oliver (Craig Roberts), a 15 year old misunderstood in Wales of the 1980s, in love with Jordana (Yasmin Paige), and struggling to become popular at school, while trying to save his parents’ marriage from new age guru and mom’s ex-boyfrined Graham (Paddy Considine).
Kill List (UK 2011), directed by Ben Wheatley
Eight months after a disastrous job in Kiev left him physically and mentally scarred, ex-soldier turned contract killer Jay (Neil Maskell) is pressured by his partner Gal (Michael Smiley) into taking a new assignment. As they descend into the dark, disturbing world of the contract, Jay begins to unravel once again – his fear and paranoia sending him deep into the heart of darkness.
Perfect Sense (UK 2011), directed by David Mackenzie
Chef (Ewan McGregor) and epidemiologist (Eva Green) fall in love just as an epidemic begins to rob the world’s population of their sensory perceptions.
Wuthering Heights (UK 2011), directed by Andrea Arnold
An adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights (1847) – the tempestuous love story of Catherine (Kaya Scodelario) and Heathcliff (James Howson).
Coriolanus (UK 2011), directed by Ralph Fiennes
Fiennes directorial debut is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Coriolanus. Caius Martius Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), a revered and feared Roman General is at odds with the city of Rome and his fellow citizens. Pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia (VANESSA REDGRAVE) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, he is loath to ingratiate himself with the masses whose votes he needs in order to secure the office. When the public refuse to support him, Coriolanus’s anger prompts a riot which culminates in his expulsion from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (GERARD BUTLER) to take his revenge on the city.
Wild Bill (UK 2011), directed by Dexter Fletcher
Out on parole after 8 years inside Bill Hayward returns home to find his now 11 and 15 year old sons abandoned by their mother and fending for themselves. Unwilling to play Dad, an uncaring Bill is determined to move on. Although Dean the older boy has found a job and is doing his best to be a father to his younger brother Jimmy, the arrival of Bill has brought them to the attention of social services. With the danger of being put into care looming, Dean forces his feckless Dad to stay by threatening to grass him up for dealing. If there’s one thing Bill doesn’t want it’s to go back to prison.
Wild Bill the movie – Promo from ‘WILD BILL’ the movie on Vimeo.
The Bengali Detective (UK 2011), directed by Phil Cox
This originally styled documentary series provides an entertaining yet poignant look at modern India and its UK diasporas through the prism of crime. What happens when people lose trust in the authorities? In India – a new wave of private detective agencies are answering the call. Poisonings, adultery, fraud, bridal purity and the occasional murder – such are the day-to-day investigations of Kolkata’s Bengali Detective – Rajesh Ji. The Bengali Detective follows the intrepid, dance-obsessed gumshoe and his motley band of helpers on unpredictable raids and corkscrew investigations.
The Bengali Detective Trailer from The Bengali Detective on Vimeo.
Keep up with all the British Film Festival updates on Midnight East and the British Film Festival facebook page. The British Council is an international British organization that provides educational opportunities and strengthens cultural ties between Britain and other countries. The British Council offices in Israel are located in Ramat Gan, Jerusalem and Nazareth.
