Projects with status: Complete

Synopsis

While investigating her late parents’ involvement with the Anglo Iranian Oil Company (BP), the filmmaker comes across the letters of a petroleum geologist in Iran in the 1930s who was later to embark on a search for the origins of civilisation. 'The Host' sets out on its own exploration, to decipher signs from the fragmented images buried in the BP (British Petroleum) Archive. This journey through the past interweaves a number of stories drawn from both personal memory and the records of an imperial history, which builds a picture of a 20th-century colonial encounter. 'The Host' is a personal essay film about the stories we tell about ourselves and others, the facts and fictions we live by, and their consequences. (LFF brochure) BFI London Film Festival 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

"I find that the most inexplicable behavior is motivated by very relatable human impulses," comments Louis Theroux as he heads to Los Angeles for this feature documentary, in collaboration with director John Dower and producer Simon Chinn, exploring the Church of Scientology. Following a long fascination with the religion and with much experience in dealing with eccentric, unpalatable and unexpected human behavior, the beguilingly unassuming Theroux won’t take no for an answer when his request to enter the Church’s headquarters is turned down. Inspired by the Church’s use of filming techniques, and aided by ex-members of the organisation, Theroux uses actors to replay some incidents people claim they experienced as members in an attempt to better understand the way it operates. In a bizarre twist, it becomes clear that the Church is also making a film about Louis Theroux. Suffused with a good dose of humour and moments worthy of a Hollywood script, this true life film is stranger than fiction. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Dare Strand - World premiere

Synopsis

Charting the band The Maccabees’s creative process as they record their fourth album, ‘Marks To Prove It’, working in self-imposed isolation in an anonymous studio in London’s Elephant and Castle... The film becomes a compelling, poetic portrait of the area and its local population... gardens are created in surprising spaces; a local musician is having a suit tailored, BB heals through prayer at the concrete-built Crossways church, and the 100 year old Arments Pie and Mash shop is, as ever an enduring local institution. All of these tales are woven through the band’s experimentation – their false turns, self-doubts and triumphs – as they create what will become an incendiary, life-affirming album - LFF Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Sonic Strand - World premiere

Synopsis

Tamara is a bus conductor. She has a date after work at a karaoke bar. But she brings her young son with her. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival - Dare Strand - World premiere

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Elaine is having trouble balancing her life between her teenage daughter and her secret evening job. Over one evening her personal life spills over into her work when faced with an indecisive young couple. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival - Dare Strand - World premiere

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A low road to heaven and a high road to hell. The perfect trip! Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Cult Strand - World premiere

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Three couples get together for a boozy restaurant dinner, but the mild-mannered Dennis is more interested in checking the National Lottery results. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival - Laugh Strand

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It's 1982. 12-year-old Doug is drawn into the lurid world of VHS horror as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of his father... Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Cult Strand - World premiere

Synopsis

A special combined presentation of three of James Richards’ recent works (2006-2014) that recycle and adapt a diverse range of material to produce a spectral meditation on the human figure as a space of sensual integration, inspired by the work of the late filmmaker Derek Jarman. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Experiementa Strand

Synopsis

Artist Tacita Dean, and actor Stephen Dillane presented a live theatrical happening performed over four nights at the 2014 Sydney Biennial, with two 16mm cameras rolling on each occasion. Dillane changed elements of his appearance each night and, snatching pages from Dean who was seated in the front row, recited Shakespeare, popular texts and personal stories, whilst also announcing adjustments in the camera set-ups and the changing of reels. Dean has returned to this tense scenario and cut into the material according to the systemic logic that emerged over the course of the serialised performance, inscribing changes in time and space, illustrating or actualising a form of deep choreography- LFF Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Experiementa Strand

Synopsis

"I think art is powerful and I think it has affected all of us in some way, shape or form. Whether it’s you’re favourite character or scene from a TV show or a film or a play. Or maybe it’s just a line in a song. Sometimes it’s a line that you’ve heard one hundred times and it’s only on the one hundred and first time it clicked and meant something to you. Sometimes it’s a line that grabbed your attention straight away. And that’s what 'Lines' is about." Cecile Emeke Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Sonic Strand - World premiere

Synopsis

It's July 1985, and while Rock and Roll's great and good are strutting their stuff at Wembley, ex-Small Faces frontman Steve Marriott is propping up the bar of a dingy pub in Putney waiting to play to a small crowd of boozers. While he waits for the rest of his band, bitter and drunk, an encounter with a young revival Mod restores Steve's faith. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Sonic Strand - World premiere