Words by Natasha Clough
The BFI London Film Festival returns for its 70th edition this October with an incredible programme of features, shorts and events. From 7 to 18 October, expect an exciting array of films from 88 countries screening across London’s iconic venues, such as Royal Festival Hall and BFI Southbank. The lineup of screen talks includes leading voices of today’s cinema such as Naomi Ackie, Sofia Coppola, Danny Boyle, Cynthia Erivo and Andrew Scott. The galas of the festival will present public premieres of some of the most highly anticipated films of the year as the red carpet is rolled out. Meanwhile, thematic strands allow audiences to choose a cinema mood: Love, Debate, Laugh, Dare, Thrill, Cult and more.
Karma! takes a look at seven of the festival films that should be on your watchlist.
I Love Boosters
Filmmaker Boots Riley returns with another absurdist, anti-capitalist cinematic experience. His debut film Sorry to Bother You (2018) revealed a director with a bold and uncompromising vision. I Love Boosters follows The Velvet Gang, a group of ‘boosters’ who shoplift clothes from fashion mogul Christine Smith (Demi Moore). They call it “fast fashion philanthropy”. Starring Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie and Taylour Paige, this film is sure to be a hilariously wild fever dream.
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
Based on the novel by Keiran Goddard, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning is a drama following five childhood friends from Birmingham navigating fractured relationships and the realities of adulthood. The film has a standout ensemble including Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo and Daryl McCormack. Lola Petticrew and Anthony Boyle reunite for the project after starring together in the limited series Say Nothing.
Cameron Winter at Carnegie Hall
Paul Thomas Anderson creates an immersive cinematic experience through this unique recording of Cameron Winter’s solo piano performance at Carnegie Hall. Whether you’re a big fan of Geese’s frontman or haven’t listened to his discography, this film will capture the magic of live performance in a way that should captivate all.
Primetime
Robert Pattinson stars as To Catch a Predator presenter Chris Hansen in this A24 drama. When TV executives decide to move his show to a primetime slot, Hansen goes to extreme lengths to keep an audience. Promising elements of a psychological thriller, satire and horror, the trailer hooks you with a heightened sense of unease and anxiety that will spiral. The film also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo and Phoebe Bridgers.
Fjord
Fjord stars Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan in a gripping social drama driven by a profound moral dilemma. When an evangelical Christian family moves to a small Norwegian town, tensions rise as their beliefs spark controversy in the community. Suspicions around the five children’s welfare propel scrutiny and action. Winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the feature is directed by Cristian Mungiu.
French Girls
Hyun Lee’s micro-budget debut shows an exciting new voice in cinema. The film follows Mia (Mia Kidis), an aimless 20-something-year-old who gets scouted by a model agency that wants to represent models with a “unique and different look”. The trailer tells us French Girls “is not about girls who are French”, so it will be interesting to see where the plot actually takes its audience.
The Debut
The closing night gala film of LFF is Jesse Eisenberg’s third feature film as a writer-director. Julian Moore stars as housewife, Mona, who takes the leap into community theatre for the first time after feeling like a background character in her own life. Mona finds herself playing the leading role of Miss Danielle in an original musical that tests her abilities to the limit. Paul Giamatti plays enigmatic director Jerry, the “biggest name in New Jersey community theatre”. If you watched Eisenberg’s last film, A Real Pain (2024), you’ll see how well he blends humour with heartfelt drama.
Tickets for the BFI London Film Festival go on sale on 17 September at 10am.
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