As a third year student of film I can fully admit that I’m ashamed to have never attended Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF). I’m volunteering this year to compensate for my previous inherent indolence, and as a result get to experience an eclectic range cinema from all over the world (along with pointing punters in the right direction to the toilets).
On 1st November Ben Affleck’s critically acclaimed thriller, Argo, was the proud title of the sold out Opening Gala at Leeds Town Hall, which was met with tremendously positive feedback. Closing the Official Selection on the 15th is Michael Haneke’s Amour, the Cannes Palme d’Or winning drama, again sure to be an audience favourite. If however you’re not a fan of award seeking films, there’s enough diversity within LIFF’s programme to satisfy every taste, no particular filmic disposition is discriminated against. Fanomenon celebrates the latest cult films, while Cinema Versa provides a platform for documentaries that explore underlying issues and marginalised individuals; whereas the other programme selection areas – Retrospectives and Short Film City – present celebrated films from acclaimed directors and new titles from up and coming talent respectively.
Apart from Leeds Town Hall other venues around the city contributing to LIFF’s cinematic glory include Hyde Park Picture House, Vue (The Light) and even Hi-Fi Club, which fittingly hosted the intimate UK Premiere of Charles Bradley: Soul of America, the music orientated documentary. Sat down at candle lit tables, the audience was enthralled by the 62-year-old music making humorist whose lyrics evidently detail his hardship. His number ‘Why Is It So Hard?’ is a response to both music artists struggling to make it in commercial America, and poverty stricken Americans just trying to survive from one day to the next. The former issue resonates with the film festival. It’s clear that this will be the only opportunity that the majority of the films shown will get a public exhibition in Leeds, or indeed further afield. Unfortunately, they will then filter into obscurity and achieve a ‘commercially unsuccessful’ label. The divide between artistry and commerce continues ad infinitum.
It’s important to have this festival in Leeds, as, from the amount of tickets sold and imaginations colonised, it’s obvious that the multiplex, with its constant repetitive programming, doesn’t cater to everyone. LIFF’s horror Citadel, by no means perfect, is more morbid, edgy and socially relevant than any current offering foisted onto mainstream cinema audiences. It doesn’t feature notable talent, and is not a product of Hollywood, therefore unworthy of a national release to distributors.
Don’t make the same mistake I made in leaving it too late. Make sure you check out at least one film you probably wont have the chance to see in public anywhere else. With a student concession available, it’s a sure-fire hit.
Tomas Badger