A Note on Places and People
CIFF 24: In Review
Film festivals are situated, yes? Where? You can’t pry them from places; Cannes, Berlin, Milan, Clapham. Simon would tell you that Clapham was a village before London engulfed it
...Jamie Flatters on Shoulders
CIFF 24: In Review
Jamie Flatters' Shoulders sits in the wilderness with eight young men as they watch for invasion. Armed with nothing but sticks, they’re left to unravel. Its world premiere was on the opening night of the 3rd Clapham International Film Festival.
I catch Jamie in the hubbub of Venn Street after Shoulders’ premiere. Our conversation has moments of pause as he fields well-wishers and rolls a cigarette
...Opening Night
CIFF 24: In Review
A twist of wrist and the blinds dropped down on a dreary Wednesday—dreary, teary and full of weary. Last words uttered and a rush to the ground—spreading my mat on the floor and myself upon the mat of course—up since the early hours so best to get some snooze before evening
...Tim Carlier on Paco
CIFF 24: In Review
Tim Carlier’s Paco wanders with sound recordist Manny as he drifts through Adelaide, Australia (as Leon muses, like a leaf—but perhaps more like a freelancer) in search of a lost radio mic. The film had its UK premiere on the second night of the 3rd Clapham International Film Festival.
Tim stays in the cinema for a while and talks to everyone. Sam liked the soundtrack, Tim tells him to listen to The Empty Threats. Tim follows me outside. I apologise for bringing him outside
...
Percy Manthey on ZIPWHARF
CIFF 24: In Review
Percy Manthey’s ZIPWHARF cannot be described. At least not well. I know this because I wrote its copy for the festival. I said something about London and shallow aspirations and e-cigarettes and rot and that’s fair but Leon and I spent about three hours in the Half Moon reciting lines from the film in a delirious (but uproarious) game of remember-when-this-happened. No other film has possessed us like this
...Expect editions seasonally.