Peter's Ones To Watch
Well it scarcely feels like 12 months since the last time we were together celebrating our festival of international film. As ever the quality, variety and love for film-making on display in the submissions was staggering. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted in record numbers again this year. It’s so heartening to see the hard work that goes into running every edition being rewarded with more and more filmmakers wanting to join us for the fun down in Romford.
So let’s get into some of my recommendations for the 2023 Romford International Film Festival.
As with every year, I’ve got to give a big shoutout to Kenichi Ugana, the film-making machine from Japan who is starting to rival countryman Takashi Miike for frequency of output. This year we have just the three films of his to share with you...
Adorably surreal short ‘Moja’ about an advice-dispensing alien plays on Thursday evening, while wacky feature ‘Wild Virgins’ about a 30 year old virgin turned superhero is on Sunday morning.
But for me, the pick of the litter is ‘Rolling Marbles’ which you should definitely make time for on Friday morning. A wonderfully gentle film where not an awful lot happens, yet instead it’s really nice spending time with three strong and fully-fleshed out female characters. And not a sex squid in sight!
Lithuanian feature film, ‘A Butterfly’s Heart’ is a very sweet film that anyone would find difficult to take umbrage with. Fans of sentimental films will love this tale of a lonely boy with a very unique heart condition, and his new friend who accepts his differences. With flawless child performances and tremendous direction, this is a very well made film with a good (pardon the pun) heart. That's on Sunday at 4.30pm.
On Monday at midday, ‘Out and About’ is a film with a relaxed tempo and rhythm that very subtly and skilfully draws you under its spell. A middle aged man takes an afternoon walk through his suburban American town, encountering friends, former lovers, and strangers along the way. It put me in mind of greatly under-discussed American classic The Swimmer with Burt Lancaster, but without the darkness.
I’ll finish with two unmissable shorts, both incredibly from first time filmmakers. ‘Mothers & Daughters’ (part of Thursday’s Short Film Showcase) is a thought-provoking, inter-generational drama with a spoonful of surrealism. And lastly, ‘Sensibility’ (Friday’s Short Film Showcase) a period-set comedy with a script and performances that crackle and pop.
See you in sunny Romford!
Peter
