LONDON FILM FESTIVAL

Liese Spencer
Saturday 07 November 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It may not have the glamour of Venice or Cannes, but the London Film Festival has always been good to its audience. The 15-day festival charges into the capital's cinemas with a packed programme.

For those with a taste for the American independent movie, there are rich pickings. Worth a look is Hal Hartley's gleefully scatological fable, Henry Fool (today). John The Last Seduction Dahl makes an appearance with Rounders (Fri 13, Sat 14, above), a story of card sharks starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton and John Malkovich.

Other US films to watch out for are Tamara Jenkin's romp The Slums of Beverley Hills (Wed 11, Thu 12) and Darren Aronofsky's mathematical thriller Pi (Sun 8, Mon 9). But for sheer sexiness you can't beat Elmore Leonard's Out of Sight (Thu 12, Fri 13), a romantic thriller which marks an upturn in the careers of both its director Steven Soderburgh and star, George Clooney.

New British Cinema worth seeing includes Fast Food (today), a dark and witty no-budget British gem which sees Douglas Henshaw returning to London and striking up a friendship with phone-sex worker Emily Woof. For the more adventurous, Danish director Thomas Vinterberg's nightmarish family reunion Festen (Fri 13, Sun 15) comes recommended, along with Francois Ozon's spin on bourgeois family values, Sitcom (today, Wed 11).

Liese Spencer

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in