20 Underrated Films to Catch at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival
As the excitement mounts for the annual London Film Festival, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of selections available. What will you choose to watch? Which films are worth your time? While there’s no surefire way to answer those queries, we present a curated list of 20 hidden gems that you should definitely consider checking out, particularly from the themed and non-gala categories. Some of these films we’ve previously encountered at other festivals, while others are simply those we’ve been eagerly anticipating.
A Fidai Film Experimenta
In 1982, the Israeli forces invaded Beirut, targeting the Palestinian Research Centre and stripping it of its archives. Kamal Aljafari’s latest venture, a so-called “sabotage film,” presents a mesmerizing experimental narrative that intertwines reclaimed archival footage capturing life in Palestine before and after the 1948 Nakba. This work stands as a cinematic act of defiance against a prolonged history of visual dispossession.
Manji Treasures
Although the Treasures segment of the festival has dwindled in significance, a must-see is the restoration of Yasuzô Masumura’s 1967 sexploitation melodrama. The story revolves around two women whose illicit affair pulls them into a web of trouble, all displayed in vibrant colors on a grand widescreen.
Collective Monologue Documentary
Filmed in a variety of zoos and sanctuaries across Argentina, Jessica Sarah Rinland’s documentary takes an insightful look at the world from an animal’s viewpoint, delving deep into the emotional connections that span different species.
Small Hours of the Night Experimenta
Daniel Hui’s docu-fiction piece is a visual treat, composed of chilling 16mm closeups within a dark, smoke-filled room. This film revisits pivotal moments in Singapore’s history during its bleakest eras, centering on a woman confined in an interrogation space, skillfully managing light and shadow.
Julie Keeps Quiet Debate
While “Challengers” may garner attention as the film that leaves a mark on tennis’ portrayal in cinema, Leonardo Van Dijl’s psychological drama, “Julie Keeps Quiet,” follows a young athlete grappling with the dilemma of exposing her abusive coach at the risk of jeopardizing her career. The narrative is anchored by Ruth Becquart’s intense performance, who also contributed to the screenplay.
Youth (Homecoming) Debate
Continuing his exploration of China’s low-wage textile sector, Wang Bing unveils the second chapter of his documentary series. Rather than offering a clear political stance, Wang provides an observational lens on young workers striving for better wages and opportunities in a constrained job market.
Grand Tour Love
Following “The Tsugua Diaries,” Jorge Gomes presents an adventurous historical tale through Southeast Asia featuring a groom who abandons his bride at the altar, prompting her to follow him. This film explores the romanticization of colonialism and questions our contemporary storytelling methods.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989 Debate
Göran Olsson’s extensive documentary uses decades of archival newsreel footage from Sweden’s leading public broadcaster to meticulously unravel the complex ideological shifts surrounding Palestine’s struggle against an aggressively expanding Zionist agenda.
Collective Summoning Experimenta
This fascinating collection of three avant-garde short films—Noor Abed’s “A Night We Held Between,” Komtouch Napattaloong’s “No Exorcism Film,” and Maryam Tafakory’s “Razeh-del”—explores themes of myth, ritual, and national history, collectively pushing towards a notion of “cross-temporal solidarity” across multiple regions.
Universal Language Laugh
Canadian filmmaker Matthew Rankin, who learned Farsi for authenticity, creates a uniquely surreal tale set against an unusual backdrop that fuses Winnipeg and Tehran. The film kicks off when a young girl discovers a banknote trapped in ice, leading her on a quest to retrieve it.
The Ballad of Suzanne Cesaire Experimenta
Suzanne Césaire, a groundbreaking figure in Afro-Surrealism and anti-colonialist movements, inspires this heartfelt metafictional tribute crafted by multidisciplinary artist Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich. This film serves as a vivid exploration of an artist who preferred to remain in the shadows of her husband’s legacy.
The Sealed Soil Treasures
Marva Nabili’s poignant debut feature from 1977, now restored in 4K, explores the challenges faced by a young woman fighting back against the patriarchal constraints she encounters upon reaching marriageable age.
Chain Reactions Cult
Swiss filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe digs into cinema’s history with “Chain Reactions,” timed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tobe Hooper’s “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” In this documentary, he compiles insights from industry experts, pundits, and academics.
The Wailing Cult
Described as a Spanish rendition of “It Follows,” filmmaker Pedro Martín-Calero’s debut feature tells the story of a woman on a quest for her biological mother, intertwining psychological horror with consequences that are anything but desirable.
Eephus Journey
This endearing film about baseball transcends the sport’s boundaries, exploring deeper themes through the lives of its characters. A diverse group of ballplayers congregates for one last game on a field set for demolition, leading to a bittersweet experience.
Abiding Nowhere Create
After Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang’s alleged retirement in 2012, he swiftly returned with more exceptional work. “Abiding Nowhere” continues his “Walker” saga, featuring actor Lee Kang-sheng, as he ambles methodically through various landscapes, including a trip to Washington D.C.
I’m Still Here Special Presentation
Walter Salles makes a poignant return with his first narrative film in over ten years, presenting the story of Rubens Paiva, a former congressman who was forcibly disappeared during a military overthrow. Through Eunice—the matriarch—played compellingly by Fernanda Torres, the film paints a nuanced portrait of resilience.
The Treasury of Human Inheritance Experimenta
Centered on themes of empathy and care, this collection of three poetic shorts accompanies an abstract film essay about the ‘lived body,’ offering reflections on community and support amidst crisis and adversity.
Harvest Special Presentation
Athina Rachel Tsangari crafts a mesmerizing English-language debut set in a medieval village, providing a striking critique of industrialization over nature, accentuated by stunning cinematography and a remarkable performance from Caleb Landry Jones.
The Stimming Pool Create
From The Neurocultures Collective, “The Stimming Pool” aims to empower neurodiverse artists to express their creativity. The film takes viewers on a visceral journey through the world of an autistic artist, exploring both literal and metaphorical experiences.
Published 3 Oct 2024