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FESTIVAL BROCHURE
27 FEBRUARY–2 MARCH 2014 | KESWICKFILMFESTIVAL.ORG
WELCOME
THE 15TH KESWICK FILM FESTIVAL
27 FEBRUARY – 2 MARCH 2014
FESTIVAL
INFORMATION

03–09
FILM & EVENT
LISTINGS
10–33
What a great programme David, our programmer And in bringing you something new each year,
DETAILS & has put together this year. And lots of the we are repeating the fantastic closing film We
committee have been inputting to the planning Are the Best on Friday afternoon for those of
BOOKING
of this year’s event. Thanks to them and to all you who complain at having to go home early. So
36–39 our great sponsors. Again we have over 30 of come early and catch it on Friday. And of course
the best of film with some interesting themes. there’s 100 years of the Alhambra to celebrate
We have lighter offerings to start and end the with films from each of the last 10 decades.
Festival than some years, but this is balanced by
Ann Martin,
serious, thought-provoking films and speakers.
Festival Director
I am delighted to welcome Dame Janet Suzman
to Keswick. I am writing this on the day Nelson
Mandela has died and the week she has
starred in a Radio 4 play. It seems particularly
appropriate to open with a South African film.
We also will be welcoming newcomer director
Charlie Cattrall. His film Titus and the opening
Felix are both in part about the power of music.
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CANNES IN KESWICK BEST OF THE FESTS

Imagine the limousines gunning along the Couldn’t get to Berlin or Woodstock this year?
Corniche from Grange down to Portinscale... Well, we have selected seven films that have
impressed and entertained festival audiences
On a fleet of Sunseeker motor yachts moored
there and at many other film festivals around
at Nichol End it’s party time for the cigar-
the world including Cambridge, Florida, Israel,
chomping executives, the exotic stars and the
Moscow, Reykjavik, Thessalonica, Tokyo, Venice,
glamorous hangers on, in Keswick to wheel
and Zurich.
and deal, the crème de la crème of international
movie land. Best of the Fests is a regular and popular
theme at Keswick. This year’s selection
The paparazzi hustling for boats at the launch
covers: the emotional damage and aftermath
landings to get closer to that intimate exclusive
of brutal civil war (Circles); a sympathetic
shot and piling out of the Square Orange to
portrait of an insulated culture (Fill the Void);
THIS catch the frocks and smiles on the red carpet
a moving testament to the power of friendship
outside the Alhambra.
(The Golden Dream); a celebration of youth,
Meanwhile, holed up in the Studio at Theatre friendship and rebellion (We are the Best);
YEAR’S by the Lake, Steven Spielberg and his Festival a gentle comedy (A Magnificent Haunting);
Jury defend their decision to give prizes to a beguiling quest steeped in history (The
films containing extreme violence (A Touch Forgotten Kingdom); and, a chilling historical
of Sin, Heli) or explicit sex (Blue is the drama (Wakolda)
THEMES
Warmest Colour).
And out in the Market Square the world’s press
try desperately to broadcast the controversy HOMAGE TO DAME JANET SUZMAN
over that elusive mobile phone signal.

...Cannes 2013 comes to Keswick! As a tribute to our special guest, Dame Janet
Suzman, we are taking the opportunity to show
two films from her illustrious past, Nicholas
and Alexandra (for which she received a Best
Actress nomination, to go with the film’s Best
Picture nomination) and the enigmatic The
Draughtsman’s Contract.

These will complement the joyous opening film
that is Felix, her latest film.
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BANGLADESHI ARTHOUSE DOCUMENTARIES ALHAMBRA CENTENARY

There is more to films from the sub-continent Our documentaries this year are an eclectic On 22nd January 1914, the Keswick Alhambra To celebrate this marvellous centenary, the
than Bollywood! Our four Bangladeshi films mix that will both chill and thrill and charm Cinema opened its doors for the first time. Keswick Film Club and the Alhambra are
come from two directors: and dazzle. screening the best films of each decade during
An ‘excellent audience’ arrived for a screening
the Festival and following week.
Tareque Masud (The Clay Bird and Runway) Our Partnership with the Keswick Peace and of Quo Vadis; however all did not go according
became known as the ‘Cinema Feriwalla’ from Human Rights Group brings us filming from to plan. Due to ‘some slight defect in the But how to choose one film to represent an
touring remote towns and villages with a mobile within Burma (They Call it Myanmar) and apparatus’ the screening was abandoned and entire decade?
projection unit. His films have been contenders Palestine (5 Broken Cameras) both with a with Keswick still served by the railway, the
for the Foreign Language Oscar and The Clay post screening discussion. The Act of Killing necessary part was secured, post-haste, later Chaplin or Keaton? Citizen Kane or
Bird won the Critics’ Prize at Cannes. (the Sight and Sound Film of the Year) recalls that day. Casablanca?
a dark time in Indonesia’s history, albeit with a
Another international award-winner and key We will never all agree but over the course of
On the afternoon of Friday 23rd, the picture
cinematic twist.
exemplar of Bangladesh’s new wave cinema the Festival and the following week, you will
was shown with “a fair amount of success.
movement is Mostofar Sarwar Farooki (Third have the opportunity to see some iconic films on
With the Calvert Trust, we have a charity The last three parts - which are superb from
Person Singular Number and Television) His the big screen - as they were meant to be seen!
screening of The Crash Reel, highlighting thrills a spectacular point of view - being shown
films explore the tensions between modern and
and spills of Olympic Snowboarding and the fine with capital clearness” according to the West
Films showing after the Festival are: Vertigo
traditional attitudes in this fast developing country.
margins within which the competitors operate. Cumberland Times that weekend.
( Monday 17.00); Lawrence of Arabia
(Monday 19.30); The Godfather parts 1 & 2
At Rheged, the Imax screen will be used to full No doubt the proprietor, Mr H T Pape was
(Tuesday 16.30 and 20.00); Cinema Paradiso
advantage with ¡Vivan las Antipodas!, literally suitably relieved but cannot have imagined that
UK TALENT
(Wednesday 17.00); Jurassic Park (Wednesday
criss-crossing the earth and Blackfish, a recent after this inauspicious beginning, the Alhambra
release which is already making waves of its own. Cinema would survive for the next century. 20.15); Shrek (Thursday 17.00) and to finish,
Not only does the Osprey Competition give During that time it has continued to entertain the film that launched the new era in the
the opportunity to showcase new film makers, The Documentary strand is nicely completed by local people and provide a warm, dry refuge for Alhambra’s ownership, Best Exotic Marigold
our UK Talent theme brings us the work of A Story of Children and Film making a lie of visitors when the rains came. Hotel (Thursday 20.00)
new Directors such as Charlie Cattrall (Titus), the old adage that you should never work with
All at the Alhambra – naturally!
Dan Hartley (Lad: A Yorkshire Story) and Erik children and animals. It has adapted to keep pace with technological
Knudsen (The Raven on the Jetty). Featuring change – silent to sound, black and white to Over the course of the Festival look out for
Jazz and northern landscapes (themes close to colour, to cinemascope and latterly to digital. screenings of the documentary, produced by the
the heart of Keswick); this trio of films will be Film Club and the Alhambra, which tells the tale
It has seen off the bingo revolution, the rise of
accompanied by Directors and Cast Members. of 100 years of cinema in Keswick.
multiplexes, videos, DVDs and film on demand
and still brings the best of commercial and
independent cinema to the town and its visitors.

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CHARLIE CATTRALL DAN HARTLEY
Q&A (Titus), Fri 18.00, Theatre Q&A (Lad: A Yorkshire Story) Sun 11.00am, Studio
Charlie Cattrall trained at the Guildhall School of Dan has a long pedigree behind the cameras
Music and Drama but had a love of film and of having worked on the Harry Potter movies and
jazz as well as an interest in performing on stage. other major releases. He is now writing, directing
OUR A friendship formed more than 10 years ago with and producing his own material and Lad: A
actor Ron Cephas Jones which covered acting, Yorkshire Story is his first full length feature.
jazz, visits to Harlem and many other topics,
culminated in the idea for Titus. Selected for KESWICK PEACE AND HUMAN
GUESTS
showing at the Film Festival in Dinard it won the
RIGHTS GROUP SPEAKERS
Audience Award. We are delighted that Charlie
can come to Keswick to introduce the film.
Our collaboration with the Keswick Peace and
ERIK KNUDSEN Human Rights Group continues this year with
two films set in Burma and Palestine, described
Q&A (Raven on the Jetty) Sun 13.30, Studio
in more detail in the Documentaries Theme.
Erik Knudsen is Professor of Film Practice at the
Sat 10.00, Main House
University of Salford in Manchester, UK.

Academic and practitioner, he has produced and
After the screening of They Call it Myanmar:
directed feature films and documentaries as
JOHN HURT DAME JANET SUZMAN
Lifting the Veil, we welcome speakers from the
well as commissions for Channel 4 TV and the
Burma Campaign, who have spoken at previous
Our Patron In Conversation, Saturday 12.30pm Main House Danish National Film Board. His film The Raven
plays and readings concerning Burma. Founded
on the Jetty is filmed around the Lake District
in 1991 they continue to play a leading role in
He has been busy since we saw him last year, Born in South Africa, Dame Janet made her and we are delighted to be showing it. One Day
raising awareness about the situation in Burma,
no sign of slowing down for the Doctor. That name at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Films, his company, has a fascinating blog of
and in pressuring the international community to
(Doctor Who) is probably his best known the 1960s. She went on to have a distinguished videos showing the 30 stages of production.
take action in support of its people.
activity since last February. Not his favourite career on stage and screen, including an
though if the reports are to be believed. But Oscar-nominated performance in the 1971 film ADAM DAWTREY
he has also been involved in a number of major Nicholas and Alexandra, and appeared in many
Sun 10.30, Main House
films including Snowpiercer, currently locked in British television productions, including The Q&A (A Story of Children and Film), Sun 16.00, Studio

dispute about it’s release in the UK, Only Singing Detective, Clayhanger and many more.
We welcome back Mohammed Mukulmar to
Lover’s Left Alive and Hercules as well as some We will be showing Nicholas and Alexandra, Adam Dawtrey is a film journalist and producer
the Festival, to lead a discussion after 5 Broken
short films and TV. The Draughtsman’s Contract and the new Felix based in Scotland. He was European Editor of
Cameras. Mohammed is a Gazan, now residing
but she also worked in films with Fellini and Variety 1993–2008 and is a frequent
in the UK. He is a psychotherapist who worked
Marlon Brando. Recently appearing at the fringe contributor on film to The Guardian. His
for 10 years with Palestinian victims of the
with the play Solomon and Marion which got documentary, A Story of Children and Film
military occupation in Gaza and now is the
great reviews we are delighted to welcome her. scored a rare five stars from Peter Bradshaw
chairman of a small UK-based charity promoting
who found it “one of the most beguiling events
mental health and human rights in Palestine.
at Cannes …a treat”.

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KEY

N K S N
TIO WIC EST MA
FILMS / GUEST INTRODUC CANNES IN KES BEST OF THE F O DAME JANET SUZ
A T
& E
Q G
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AND M
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EVENTS
T E S Y
N S E R
K TALE RTHOU ENTARI NTENA
U A M E
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DESHI DOCU BRA
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THE CLAY BIRD
SUNDAY 18.30, STUDIO
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THFURRIDSADYAY
THURS
18.30, Theatre 20.00, Theatre
Opening Party Felix
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Free to all Pass Holders (PG) 97 mins, Roberta Durrant, S. Africa, 2013

The opening night party is a fixture at the “Billy Elliot with a saxophone meets Buena
Keswick Film Festival and as ever, there will Vista Social Club in Cape Town” summarises
be the opportunity for pass holders and invited this vibrant film to kick off the 15th Festival.
guests to get in the mood for a fantastic It is the latest film from our special guest,
opening film, whilst enjoying fine food and a Dame Janet Suzman.
glass of something good.
Felix’s father used to play in the hottest jazz
Please support our food sponsors during band in the Cape but his untimely death
your visit to the Festival over the course of the meant that his mother bans the Devil’s Music
weekend. (See page 39) from the home.
At age 13, Felix starts to discover not only
his musical roots but his own hitherto
untapped talent.
“You won’t be able to resist Felix‘s upbeat
tempo, jolly disposition, feel-good music, sharp-
witted script and spirited underdog story.” –
Stephen Aspeling
Thanks to Penguin Films
FELIX
20.00, MAIN HOUSE
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FRIDAY
FRI
12.15, Alhambra 13.00, Theatre
Quo Vadis Third Person
28 Singular Number
166 mins, Mervyn Leroy/Anthony Mann, USA, 1951

124 mins, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Bangladesh, 2009
It may be the remake but the original version

of Quo Vadis was the first film screened at the
Acclaimed as a Bangladeshi Film that avoids
Alhambra. An opportunity then to see one of
traditional stereotypes and presents its
the true milestones of the cinema.
characters as rounded – perhaps even flawed,
Third Person Singular Number is a thoroughly
Thanks to Hollywood Classics
modern, stylistically-assured story of a young
woman (in a career making role from Numrat
Imroz Tisha as Ruba) negotiating independence
in a society unwilling to grant single females a
place of their own.
Thanks to Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
WE ARE THE BEST
15:30, STUDIO (ALSO SHOWING SUNDAY)
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FRIDAY FRIDAY
15.30, Theatre 15.30, Studio 16.00, Alhambra 18.00, Theatre
The Act of Killing We Are the Best The Gold Rush Titus
(Vi ar bast)
(15) 115 mins, Joshua Oppenheimer, Denmark, 2012 95 mins, Charles Chaplin, USA, 1925 94 mins, Charlie Cattrall, UK, 2013

102 mins, Lukas Moodysson, Sweden, 2013
The Act of Killing boasts Werner Herzog as an At the time he was arguably the world’s best Titus is the story of a virtuoso African-American

Executive Producer and reflects on Indonesia’s known and loved actor. This is cinematic gold jazz musician whose damaged soul has brought
Adapted from the graphic novel Never
troubled past, when death squads took part in from beginning to end. And, seeing it on the big him to the status of a nobody.
Goodnight by the director’s wife Coco Moodysson,
an anti-communist purge. screen is a rare opportunity not to be missed.
the film takes place in Stockholm in 1982. It Living in London, far from home, he’s wasting
The film brings together some of the leaders portrays the lives of three girls between twelve and away, estranged from his one true love – his
of those death squads to speak about their thirteen years of age: Bobo, Klara and Hedvig. vintage alto sax. All hope looks lost until a visitor
actions and recreate events in the style of Ignored by their parents and considered strange arrives, Jessica, the daughter he abandoned as
Hollywood movies. by other people, the trio decides to start a punk a baby.
band (something that only boys are doing at the
A bizarre concept? Maybe, but “the scenes of Over the course of a day and a night together,
time) despite agreeing that punk is dead!
casual reminiscing by these men, are quite old demons are laid to rest and new ones are
emotionally draining to watch and hear play out.” “A joyous celebration of youth, friendship and stirred and for one last time the future is back in
(Markus Robinson IMDB) He goes on to say: rebellion” – Time Out Titus’ hands.
“We [as audience members] maintain hope that Winner: Grand Prix, Tokyo FF (2013); Titus has been lauded and applauded at a
the subjects [the former death squad leaders] Audience Award, Reykjavik IFF (2013) number of Festivals, including the Audience
will undergo a change of heart and see the Award at Dinard and we welcome Director
Also being screened on Sunday to close
errors in their ways; even though this “hope” Charlie Cattrall to host this screening.
the Festival
is a candle which becomes dimmer as the
documentary nears its finale.” Thanks to the Director, Charlie Cattrall
Thanks to Metrodome
Thanks to Dogwoof
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FRIDAY FRIDAY
18.00, Studio 18.30, Alhambra 20.30, Theatre 20.30, Alhambra
The Fill the Void A Touch of Sin The Golden Dream
Draughtsman’s (Lemale et (Tian zhu ding) (La jaula de oro)
Contract ha’hahal)
(15) 133 mins, Zhangke Jia, China, 2013 (15) 102 mins, Diego Quemada-Diez,
Guatemala/Spain/Mexico, 2013
(15) 108 mins, Peter Greenaway, UK, 1982 (U) 90 mins, Rama Burshtein, Israel, 2012
Inspired by four shocking, allegedly true, events

that forced the world’s fastest growing economy A group of Guatemalan teenagers are ill
Peter Greenaway’s sumptuous visual feast Written and directed by Rama Burshtein who into a period of self-examination, written and prepared for the precarious journey that takes
is shown as part of the Janet Suzman became the first Orthodox Jewish woman to directed by master filmmaker Jia Zhangke (The them from their native country to what they
retrospective. Witty, clever, bizarre, complex, direct a film intended to be viewed outside World, Still Life), this daring, poetic and grand- hope will be a bright new life in the United
tantalising – a true cult movie. of the Orthodox community. It focuses on life scale film focuses on four characters, each living States. Diego Quemada-Díez’s debut feature
among the Haredi Jewish community in Tel Aviv. in different provinces of China, who are driven to draws on outstanding performances from his
Not forgetting the soaring soundtrack from
An 18 year old girl is pressured by her mother violent ends. young, nonprofessional cast.
Michael Nyman, this opportunity to see (and hear)
to marry her deceased older sister’s husband
The Draughtsman’s Contract again on the big following the death of her sister in childbirth. “The violence hangs over the film like a haze: “The film succeeds as both a gritty,
screen is not to be missed. gunshot wounds to the face, ugly and very uncompromising portrait of the teenagers’
Graceful, complex, and beautifully layered, the real-looking fist fights. This is a bitter, jagged, travels and a moving, eloquent testament to
‘ I have never seen a film like it’ – Roger Ebert
film offers a sympathetic portrait of an insulated disaffected drama, pessimistic about China, the power of friendship and camaraderie in the
culture by exploring universal themes. pessimistic about the whole world.” – Peter most testing of circumstances.” – London FF
Thanks to BFI
Bradshaw, The Guardian
Winner, seven Israeli Academy Awards (2012) Winner, Un Certain Regard, Talent Prize,
Winner, Best Actress Award (Hades Yaron), Director/Writer Jia won the 2013 Cannes Film Cannes 2013. Winner, Best Film: Mar del Plata,
Venice FF (2012) Festival award for Best Screenplay. Zurich, Thessalonica FF (all 2013)
Thanks to Artificial Eye Thanks to Arrow Films Thanks to Peccadillo Pictures
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