LFF 2016 Highlights Part 2

The BFI London Film Festival has come to a close after another year of some striking and wonderful films. Some brilliant films have already screened in the first week. Here is part 2 of the LFF 2016 highlights…

LFF 2016 Unmissable

Nocturnal Animals

Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals is a sumptuous and tense film. The director keeps viewers captivated throughout. Ford’s wonderful directorial debut A Single Man would have many keen to know what he would do next in the cinematic sphere. Despite the recess, this sophomore picture does not disappoint. READ MORE

Brimstone

Martin Koolhoven’s film is unrelenting and unforgiving. Brimstone can be difficult to watch, but it enthrals nevertheless. Brutish and bruising, Brimstone is a thriller that does not know when to quit. But make no mistake, this is a good thing. READ MORE

Lion

Garth Davis’ Lion is a genuinely emotional drama with great performances from its cast. Lion is an affirming story which does not shy away from some harsh realities. A fantastic watch. READ MORE

LFF 2016 Best of the Rest

Elle

Paul Verhoeven’s Elle absorbs, entertains, and intrigues. After a lengthy break, Verhoeven reminds viewers exactly why he is a great filmmaker. Based on the novel by Philippe Dijan, Elle is a curious and rewarding feature. READ MORE

Free Fire

After the disappointing High-Rise, Ben Wheatley impresses with Free Fire. The film is contagiously fun. Writer-director Ben Wheatley and co-writer Amy Jump have created a very entertaining film with Free Fire. READ MORE

Prevenge

Alice Lowe’s black comedy Prevenge is a fun watch. A quirky premise is transformed into an entertaining film. Writer, director, and star Alice Lowe has created an off-the-wall dark comedy with Prevenge. The premise is original and amusing, and the film itself follows suit. READ MORE

Lake Bodom (Bodom)

Lake Bodom (Bodom) is a very entertaining horror-thriller. The film defies expectations, in a tantalising way. Director and co-writer Taneli Mustonen has created an interesting horror thriller with Lake Bodom. READ MORE

The BFI London Film Festival ran from 5th-16th October 2016.

Film Review: Brimstone

Martin Koolhoven’s film is unrelenting and unforgiving. Brimstone can be difficult to watch, but it enthrals nevertheless.

Liz provides a midwifery service, along with her young daughter, for the women in her village. When a new preacher arrives in town, Liz immediately fears that she and her family are in danger…

Brutish and bruising, Brimstone is a thriller that does not know when to quit. But make no mistake, this is a good thing. Writer-director Martin Koolhaven has created a opera of suffering, vengeance and retribution that takes no prisoners. The film is not for the faint-hearted.

Divided into four parts, Brimstone tells the story of a young woman, and the preacher that plagues her. The film is told in a non-linear format, with later chapters filling in the gaps in the story. The first part leaves viewers with a lot of questions. Koolhaven keeps his viewers hooked.

The narrative engages throughout. The film maintains an air of mystery for a significant portion of the duration. The later chapters give more context to the events of the first chapter. Whilst the air of mystery may dissipate by the final chapter, viewers will be rooting for the protagonist in the game of cat and mouse. There is a good deal of tension present in the film’s climax.

Koolhaven teases the audience with moments of false hope throughout the film. Liz has much to overcome, and elicits sympathy and admiration. Brimstone’s protagonist is thoughtfully depicted as a strong female. As the title suggests, the film has overt biblical overtones. The character of the preacher epitomises the hypocrisy of patriarchal, organised religion. Above this, he functions almost as the devil; there are some supernatural undertones to proceedings. Dakota Fanning gives a very impressive performance as Liz. Guy Pearce brings a frightening menace to his role.

Atmospherics in the film are potent, thanks to excellent art direction and sound design. Brimstone is a gripping thriller.

Brimstone is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2016.