film reviews, interviews, features | BRWC

Author: Rosalynn Try-Hane

  • The BRWC Review: The Favourite

    The BRWC Review: The Favourite

    The Favourite is by far the most accessible of Yogos Lanthimos films to date. Taking a real historical figure, his unique directing style and a script full of memorable one liners capped off with stellar performances by Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone make this a royally fun and entertaining way to spend two hours.

    The Favourite is set in the 18th century when England is at war with France and Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) sits on the throne.  The real power behind the throne is Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), Duchess of Marlborough whose husband is leading the British resistance against the French. Sarah manages the Queen’s moods, ill health, fickle moods and any other fancies the Queen might have. Their happy little love in is shattered by the appearance of Abigail Hill (Emma Stone), later Baroness Masham a servant and long distant relation of Lady Sarah. Before you can say social climber, Abigail, is in the Queen’s bed but how will Lady Sarah Churchill take this especially as the Queen is her lover as well. Who will be the favourite?

    Good films start and end with the writing and this film proves this to be true. The writing duo, Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. ensure that the script is full of zippy lines:  “we must fight for what we must fight for,“ or “I’m always on my side”.

    The vulnerability and private distress of what it must be like to be monarch who is largely unable to produce children is brought vividly to life by Olivia Coleman’s much lauded performance.

    What is refreshing about this film is that Queen Anne’s husband is never shown. The men add a little bit of texture but this is about the rather unusual love triangle between three women. It feels so fresh there are times you forget it is the 18th century. If you are looking for a historically accurate film this is not it. However if you are looking for something entertaining, stellar performances as well sumptuous cinematography and direction then this is the film just don’t dwell too much on the disappointing ending. The Favourite moves at a cracking pace and you’ll be hard pressed to pick a favourite out of the three leading actresses.

    The Favourite is nominated for ten Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actress at this years Oscar 2019.

  • London Irish Film Festival 2018

    London Irish Film Festival 2018

    Ahead of the start of the 7th London Irish Film Festival, BRWC was invited to the awards ceremony last Tuesday. The Irish Film Festival created in 2011 aim is to act as a meeting place for Irish actors and filmmakers to meet in London and promote Irish film. This year sees two heavyweights in film join the board as patrons; Colin Farrell and Lenny Abrahamson join existing patron, Ros Hubbard.

    The London Irish Film Festival is a mixture of features, shorts and documentaries together with Q&A’s and all this takes place either at Regent Street Cinema or Union Members Club.

    However, rather than save the awards ceremony to the end of the festival we were all treated to the unveiling ahead of the festival opening. The winners were:

    Best short – Early Days (let’s slip before sponsor gets on there)

    Best documentary – The Lonely Battle Of Thomas Reid

    Best feature – Rosie

    Best music video award – Pillow Queens

    Suil Eile (Another View) award – Under The Clock

    Ros Hubbard award for acting – Sarah Greene

    Catch all these award winners and many others at the London Irish Film Festival from 21 – 25 November, click here for more information.

  • The Lush Film Festival 2018

    The Lush Film Festival 2018

    Hand up who wants to a free film festival? Right then, 2018 marks the second year of the Lush Film Festival. Yes, those people who introduced us all to the bath bomb way back when and natural soaps and beauty products long before it was mainstream are at it again. This time film and their ethos is that some stories just need to be told.

    The 2 day film festival aims to give a platform to filmmakers all over the world and it includes screenings, talks, Q&As. Wait a minute, did we mention it is FREE. Yes, a film festival taking place just before the Christmas rush which is free, informative and showcasing films and documentaries you just have to see. LUSH FILM FEST is also giving away free coffee courtesy of Change Please if you bring your own cup!

    The feature film programme includes British Independent Film Award nominee, ISLAND (+Producer Elhum Shakerifar Q&A), a life-affirming reflection on the phenomena of dying. The Judge about Kholoud Al-Faqih the first woman judge to be appointed in the Middle East’s Shari’a (Islamic Law) courts (+Q&A with Amaliah curated panelists, hosted by Writer/broadcaster Yasmin Abdel Magied). A Deal With The Universe, a groundbreaking film that questions what it means to be a parent (+ filmmakers Q&A). Last Animals by Kate Brook about Africa’s poaching epidemic (+ filmmaker Q&A).

    In the Nest space at LUSH studios, discussions and talks will take place around: #metoo, Women in the film industry in Leading Lady Parts, Ableism in film, a Sound workshop with Andy Hawley (Springwatch), a Women on Docs Editing workshop led by filmmaker Roxy Rezvany (Little Pyongyang), and the Importance of the short form led by the Guardian’s Charlie Philips. See below for the full programme details.

    I have seen and been moved deeply by Island. It is probably one of the most challenging and daring documentaries I’ve seen this year but so vital to watch. Even though it is about death, it is strangely life affirming.

    THE PROGRAMME

    Friday 30 November

    14.30 – 16.15: Island plus Q&A

    14.45 – 15.30: Cristian Solimeno

    17.00 – 18.00: Sound Workshop with Andy Hawley

    17.15 – 18.15: Leading Lady Parts

    18.15 – 19.45: Girls in Film

    18.30 – 19.15: Ableism in Film panel discussion

    19.30 – 21.45: The Judge plus Q&A

    Saturday 1 December

    13.45 – 15.30: The Last Animals plus Discussion

    15.15 – 16.45: Lush and Guardian Documentaries Present: Silent Sam

    16.30 – 18.15: A Triptych on Knife Crime

    17.00 – 19.15: Women on Docs Editing Surgery

    18.30 – 19.15: Radical Elders

    19.30 – 22.00: A Deal With The Universe plus Q&A

    For FREE tickets, book here: https://beta.lush.com/en/article/lush-film-fest-2018

    If it wasn’t enough that LUSH is giving this free 2 day festival, there is also a film fund. Yes, did you know LUSH have a film fund budget of £250,000 to help finance small-to-medium-sized film projects that focus on issues of animal protection, environmental preservation, and human rights.

    So if you are budding filmmaker get in touch with the LUSH film fund.

    LUSH film festival takes place  30 November and 1 December in Soho at LUSH, 67-71 Beak Street studio.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjbFOmCV_0E&feature=youtu.be

  • The 9th Annual BAFTA Screenwriting Lectures

    The 9th Annual BAFTA Screenwriting Lectures

    Yes, it’s dark outside and so now is the time to buy tickets for stimulating events like the 9th annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) screenwriting lectures. Oh yes, tickets are now on sale to listen to six world renowned and award winning screenwriters: Alfonso Cuarón, Nicole Holofcener, Nadine Labaki, Ol Parker, Paul Schrader and Taika Waititi. Where and when, well at BAFTA HQ, 195 Piccadilly the weekend of 23, 24 and 25 November.

    Now in its ninth year, the Screenwriters’ Lecture Series exists to celebrate screenwriters’ authorial contribution to film and gives esteemed writers a platform to share highlights and insights from their careers with an audience of film-lovers and their peers. Created by BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Jeremy Brock, the series is supported by JJ Charitable Trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

    The 2018 series begins on Friday 23 November with a lecture from BAFTA-nominated British writer-director Ol Parker. Writer of the BAFTA-nominated film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Parker also co-wrote and directed 2018’s smash hit musical sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

    On Saturday 24 November, New Zealand film director, screenwriter, actor, and comedian Taika Waititi will deliver his lecture. Known as the writer and director of acclaimed films including Eagle vs Shark, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows, Waititi also directed the recent Marvel superhero film Thor: Ragnarok.

    American writer-director Nicole Holofcener (Friends with Money, Enough Said, The Land of Steady Habits, Can You Ever Forgive Me?) will also speak about her 30 year career as a screenwriter and director for film and television on Saturday 24 November.

    BAFTA award-winning Mexican writer-director Alfonso Cuarón will share his insights on the craft of screenwriting on Sunday 25 November. The four-time BAFTA and Oscar winner has written and directed a wide range of critically-acclaimed films including Y Tu Mamá También, Children of Men, Gravity, and his highly anticipated eighth feature, Roma, that sees Cuarón return to the Mexico City of his childhood.

    Lebanese writer-director Nadine Labaki will also take to the BAFTA stage on Sunday 25 November. After receiving recognition for her films Where Do We Go Now? and Caramel, Labaki made history at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival as the first female Arab filmmaker to win a major prize in the competition when she was awarded the Jury Prize for her powerful drama Capernaum.

    The closing lecture in the series will be delivered by legendary American screenwriter, director and film critic Paul Schrader on Sunday 25 November. Schrader wrote the screenplay for four films directed by Martin Scorsese: Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ and Bringing Out the Dead. He is also the director of 18 feature films including the crime drama American Gigolo and recent thriller First Reformed.

    The public tickets for all lectures went on sale on Friday 9 November, click here.

    You better be quick if you want to snap one up. Yes, I’m talking to you, haha, especially for the Paul ‘Taxi Driver screenwriter’ Schrader!

  • King Cohen: Review

    King Cohen: Review

    King Cohen is a documentary film about someone most people haven’t heard of but whose influence has rippled through Hollywood. The maverick, writer, producer, director Larry Cohen.

    What is Larry King of exactly? Well, that would be exploitation movies. The documentary film starts with JJ Abrams stating how he first met Larry at the age of 16 at a bus stop. A surreal story that sets up the feel beautifully. Throughout the film, we are regaled by stories from the man and those who know him including a man going by the name of Martin Scorsese – who that you might well say. Joking aside, Steve Mitchell’s film tries to show us the man who brought us gems such as Black Caesar, God Told Me To, The Stuff, Phone Booth.

    In Cohen’s own words he said “he would be doing it even if it was free” and that shows the mark of a true artist. Yes, he coined the area of exploitative films but equally, his influence amongst those who the elite say is great is quite considerable. He was and still is subversive with a great renegade spirit and for all aspiring filmmakers out there should be held up as a hero because he never gave up. If you want to make it in the film business that should be the one lesson to learn early and remember: never give up.

    King Cohen is an interesting and informative documentary of a man who should be better known in the mainstream: Larry Cohen.