The hundredth anniversary of David Lean's birth provides an opportunity to celebrate the work of Britain's great master of image and scale. In bringing together the films that David Lean directed, as well as some of the more significant films that he edited, this centenary retrospective allows us to rediscover and celebrate a unique talent.
Lean was a film-maker who worked on the largest possible scale, yet in his fascination with themes of love, obsession and repression - Laura struggling with a forbidden passion in Brief Encounter, Lawrence losing his heart to the desert - he created a cinema far more personal than has previously been recognised.Site with more information
Following a record-breaking 14th year at the Barbican, the London Australian Film Festival 2008 goes on tour during June and July across the UK. This special selection of films from the festival will travel across the UK, visting the Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge; Glasgow Film Theatre; Showroom, Sheffield, Filmhouse Edinburgh; Broadway Cinema, Nottingham; and Chichester Cinema at New Park.
A showcase for the latest Australian filmmaking, the London Australian Film Festival 2008 on Tour comprises of feature film and documentary highlights from this year’s festival including the Audience Choice Award-winning comedy All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane; Aussie actor Richard Roxburgh’s directorial debut Romulus, My Father; the most commercially successful documentary ever released in Australia, Bra Boys; and Oscar-winning cartoonist Bruce Petty’s inventive part-animated documentary Global Haywire.Site with more information
The 10th Showcomotion Young People’s Festival will be showing a programme of films from around the world, including family adventures like The Water Horse that you might have missed, and upcoming releases such as Kung Fu Panda. There will also be special events, including a talk with Mark Walsh, one of the animator’s behind gems like Ratatouille, Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo.Site with more information
Cine Cuba is a stand-out season that explores the heart of Cuban Cinema, with gems from the Havana archives plus outstanding new works and films which celebrate Cuba’s musical heritage.
Following the revolution in 1959, Cuban cinema emerged as a unique phenomenon, with directors creating films which reflected their revolutionary ideals and innovative ideas. A highlight of Cine Cuba includes the re-release of one of the early landmark film of post-revolutionary Cuban cinema, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea’s 1968 masterpiece, Memories of Underdevelopment. Also for the Opening Gala, Barbican Film presents the UK Premiere of El Benny, the colourful biopic about Benny Moré which will be preceded by a live performance from Moneda Nacional, an 8-piece ensemble from Santiago who will play the best of Cuban Boleros Son and Salsa.Site with more information
See the stars attenting this summers No 1 Blockbuster release The Dark Knight. You could catch a glimpse of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, or Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, which champions the work of emerging young talent, screens short films over a week and presents awards to the best films from six awards categories, including best documentary, best animation and best newcomer.Site with more information