Welcome to the IFI's October programme: one of extraordinary global cinema, some very special guests, and a little bit of horror!
This month sees the release of Ali Samadi Ahadi's moving and startling film The Green Wave, documenting the protests that took place following the disputed 2009 Iranian election, and to mark this we have a special season of Iranian cinema. Films from this troubled country have gained increasing international recognition in recent times, as demonstrated earlier this year with Asghar Farhadi’s stunning A Separation. This focus on Iranian cinema is growing both because of the strength of the work produced and the ongoing controversy surrounding the government’s treatment of its country’s filmmakers including Jafar Panahi who was imprisoned for six years and banned from filmmaking for 20 years. The season includes Panahi’s two award-winning films, The Circle and Offside, and Mohammad Rasoulof’s Goodbye, an extraordinarily moving and telling portrayal of the day-to-day realities of life for women in contemporary Iran, and one of my personal favourites from Cannes.
Lars Von Trier's Melancholia
This month sees the release of Ali Samadi Ahadi's moving and startling film The Green Wave, documenting the protests that took place following the disputed 2009 Iranian election, and to mark this we have a special season of Iranian cinema. Films from this troubled country have gained increasing international recognition in recent times, as demonstrated earlier this year with Asghar Farhadi’s stunning A Separation. This focus on Iranian cinema is growing both because of the strength of the work produced and the ongoing controversy surrounding the government’s treatment of its country’s filmmakers including Jafar Panahi who was imprisoned for six years and banned from filmmaking for 20 years. The season includes Panahi’s two award-winning films, The Circle and Offside, and Mohammad Rasoulof’s Goodbye, an extraordinarily moving and telling portrayal of the day-to-day realities of life for women in contemporary Iran, and one of my personal favourites from Cannes.
Offside
The IFI French Film Festival is coming round again soon, opening on November 16th, and we are giving you a sneak preview this year with a special programme of Prix Jean Vigo winners, starting in October and concluding during the Festival. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, France's most prestigious of film prizes is for young filmmakers, and the list of past winners reads like a who's who of French cinema. We have selected some of the best to get you in the mood for the Festival including Godard's first feature Breathless and Chris Marker's seminal film, La Jetée.
Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo in Breathless
We have some great guests visiting and special events happening at the IFI this month. We are delighted that Colm Meaney will be joining us on October 6th with director Darragh Byrne for the opening of their new Irish film Parked, and that Paddy Considine (one of our actor/directors this month, coinciding with our Stars Behind the Camera season) will be here for a preview of his startling directorial debut, Tyrannosaur, on October 3rd. Tickets for both events will go quickly so book early!
Colm Meaney in Parked
Amongst all of this, it’s Hallowe’en and that can only mean one thing: IFI Horrorthon! As ever, it’s back with a spinechilling and blood-curdling programme of the best of shock cinema, old and new. Prepare to be afraid!
Sarah Glennie
Director
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