I Saw The Light
Directed by Marc Abraham
I Saw the Light is the story of country music artist Hank Williams, who tragically died aged just 29 whilst on his way to a concert. Thor star Tom Hiddleston takes on the title role alongside fellow Marvel co-star Elisabeth Olsen as his wife Aubrey-May, as well as Bradley Whitford, David Krumholtz, Cherry Jones and Josh Pais.
Miles Ahead
Directed by Don Cheadle
Miles Ahead is the story of legendary jazz musician Miles Davis, brought to life by Don Cheadle who not only stars as Davis but also writes and makes his directorial debut with the film. It premieres at the New York Film Festival and co-stars Ewan McGregor, Michael Stuhlberg and Emayatzy Corinealdi.
Dheepan
Directed by Jacques Audiard
With news this week that director Jacques Audiard is to make his English-language debut with John C. Reilly, his latest film Dheepan has enjoyed much acclaim since it’s debut earlier this year at Cannes where it won the coveted Palme d’Or. The French drama tells the story of three Tamil refugees who flee the civil war-ravaged Sri Lanka and come to France, in the hope of reconstructing their lives. With one big award already in the bag, it’s certainly one of the films to beat come awards season, particularly in the foreign language race.
Spotlight
Directed by Todd McCarthy
SEE ALSO: Watch the trailer for Spotlight
After the awful reception to his last film, Adam Sandler starrer The Cobbler, Oscar Nominee Todd McCarthy will be hoping for a better response to his latest film, the true story of a Boston Gobe investigation that won a Pulitzer Prize and sent shock waves across the country. The “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schriber, John Slattery and Stanley Tucci lead the all-star cast for what looks like a riveting political drama-thriller.
Queen of Earth
Written and directed by Alex Ross Perry
SEE ALSO: Watch the trailer for Queen of Earth
It’s the film that has easily 2015’s best trailer, taking its cue from the horror trailer of the 1970’s, is writer-director Alex Ross Perry’s Queen of Earth, which has just debuted in select US cinemas over the past week. Elisabeth Moss, who co-starred in the director’s last work (the superb Listen Up, Philip) stars as Catherine, who having lost her father and her boyfriend leaves her, heads to her friend’s lake house to recuperate but things don’t quite go to plan. “A bracing, eerie look at the deep bonds of friendship and the horrific effects of such bonds being frayed, “Queen of Earth” is a thrilling examination of a deeply complex relationship between two miserable women.”
The Danish Girl
Directed by Tom Hooper
After the success of Les Miserables in 2012, director Tom Hooper returns with The Danish Girl, which sees him reteaming with Eddie Redmayne who stars as artist Einar Wegener, who made the pioneering journey to becoming a woman, Lili Elbe, in the 1920s. Featuring alongside Redmayne is Alicia Vikander as Wegener’s wife Gerda Gottlieb as well as Matthias Schoenaerts, Ben Whishaw, Amber Heard and Sebastian Koch. Expect to see the first trailer very soon but if any film is at the front of the queue for awards this year, it’s this one.
Love
Directed by Gaspar Noe
SEE ALSO: Watch the trailer for Love
Controversial but revered, director Gaspar Noe returns with his new film, Love. A film about “a burning passion full of promises, games, excesses and mistakes”, Love was met with a mixed reception at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and is set to get many people talking. The Duke of Burgundy was the “riqsue” film of the festival, could Love be 2015’s most-talked about film?
Long Shots that could be the festival’s surprise film:
The Revenant – Oscar Winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s new film is still in the editing room so LFF might be a little too soon for it.
In the Heart of the Sea – nautical drama from Ron Howard starring Chris Hemsworth is due this December – could this be the festival’s surprise film?
Victor Frankenstein – a re-imagining of the classic Mary Shelley story starring James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe as the titular doctor and his assistant Igor
Joy – third collaboration between director David O Russell and Jennifer Lawrence, Joy is another dead-cert for awards come the new year. Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper also re-team with O. Russell and Lawrence.
The Hateful Eight – the new film by Quentin Tarantino starring Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Samuel L. Jackson. What more do you need?
Creed – Rocky spin-off about the son of heavyweight champ Apollo Creed, Adonis, starring Fantastic Four’s Michael B. Jordan and the returning Sylvester Stallone as the legendary Rocky Balboa, who helps train Adonis.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens / Spectre – doubtful, very doubtful. But we can dream, right?
What films would you like to see at the 59th BFI London Film Festival this year? Let us know in the comments section below.
Scott Davis
