Lions For Lambs to receive world premiere at 51st London Film Festival
Story by Jack Foley
ROBERT Redford’s latest film, in which he stars with Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep, is to receive its world premiere at The Times BFI 51st London Film Festival.
Lions For Lambs is among seven world, 29 European and 128 UK premieres at the festival, which takes place from October 17 to November 1, 2007.
All three of the film’s stars have been confirmed to attend the premiere, which will be one of the most high-profile of the event.
David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises opens proceedings on October 17 and Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited, starring Owen Wilson, closes the 16-day programme on November 1.
The programme includes the latest work from Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion winner Ang Lee, Lust, Caution, Sean Penn’s Into The Wild, Andrew Dominik’s critically acclaimed The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, Todd Haynes’ Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There (featuring Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger and Richard Gere in the various guises of the singer) and Michael Moore’s Sicko.
British filmmaking talent is strongly represented by Penny Woolcock’s Exodus, Garth Jennings’ Son Of Rambow: A Home Movie, Nick Broomfield’s Battle For Haditha, Asif Kapadia’s Far North, Richard Attenborough’s Closing The Ring as well as by newcomers Simon Welsford’s Jetsam and Joanna Hogg’s Unrelated, and a selection of documentaries and shorts.
Cinema-goers will also be transported around the globe with films from 43 countries including Israel, Lebanon, China and Korea, and with a special event Romanian Cinema: The Next New Wave?, exemplified by Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or winner 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days and Cristian Nemescu’s California Dreamin’.
The French Revolutions strand offers 14 of the country’s latest exports including Samuel Benchetrit’s I Always Wanted To Be A Gangster and Captain Ahab from Philippe Ramos.
A brilliantly eclectic slate from the US includes Terry George’s Reservation Road, Kevin Lima’s Enchanted, Jeff Nichols’ Shotgun Stories and Kasi Lemmons’ Talk To Me, as well as Things We Lost In The Fire, featuring Benicio Del Toro and Halle Berry, Grace Is Gone, with John Cusack, and The Savages with Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Taking to the stage to discuss their careers and work will be Wes Anderson, Laura Linney, Steve Buscemi, Harmony Korine, Robert Rodriguez and Paul Greengrass, while David Lynch and Donovan will be Catching The Big Fish together.
Other expected guests include David Cronenberg, Naomi Watts, Cristian Mungiu, Sienna Miller, Andrew Dominik, Tang Wei, Ang Lee, Jason Schwartzman, Julian Schnabel, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Michael Moore, Asif Kapadia, Halle Berry, Susanne Bier, Sean Penn, Michael Pitt, Todd Haynes, Casey Affleck, Tamara Jenkins, Carlos Reygadas, Esther Robinson, Amy Adams, James Marsden, Jason Reitman and Kevin Lima.
Commenting on the Festival line-up, Sandra Hebron said: “In a very strong year for world cinema, we are delighted to be able to present such a wide ranging and high quality programme of films and special events, in which work by internationally renowned directors sits comfortably alongside that from many exciting new talents.
“We look forward to welcoming filmmakers, audiences and press and industry delegates alike to our two week celebration of the best, most creative and original films of the year.”