London Film Festival 2016: Ten most anticipated movies

With so many fascinating movies to choose from – 248 features from 74 countries – 2016 promises to be an exciting year at the London Film Festival. Comprising 18 world premieres, 39 European premieres and 8 international premieres, the line-up includes 193 fictional features, 52 documentaries and 144 short films, taking place over 12 days in cinemas across London. We sent three of our best film writers and these are their ten most anticipated movies:

Sam Gray

Manchester by the Sea by Kenneth Lonergan

Kenneth Lonergan’s latest was one of the hottest exports out of Sundance, a critical knockout that was said to combine the emotional intimacy of You Can Count on Me with the operatic grandeur of Margaret. It sounds like the perfect film, that may well go on to awards glory.

Tuesday 11^th October 2016 8.45pm at Cine Lumiere
Saturday 8^th October 2016 6pm at Odeon Leicester Square
Sunday 9^th October 2016 11am at Odeon Leicester Square

After the Storm by Hirokazu Koreeda

Hirokazu Koreeda has never made a bad film, and he’s made plenty of great ones, too. His latest returns to familiar themes: fractured families, human failure, and the quiet, cumulative effect of life’s many disappointments. Those craving an Ozu fix should seek it out.

Thursday 6^th October 2016 11.30am at Embankment Garden Cinema
Thursday 13^th October 2016 9.00pm at Cine Lumiere

Personal Shopper by Olivier Assayas

The second film from the dream team of Olivier Assayas and Kristen Stewart – part technological art house thriller, part ghost story – has divided the critical community since its Cannes premiere, where it attracted as many cheers as boos. One thing’s for sure: it’ll be far from boring.

Tuesday 11^th October 2016 9pm at Picturehouse Central
Thursday 13^th October 2016 12.15pm at BFI Southbank
Monday 10^th October 2016 6pm at Vue West End Cinema

Catherine Sedgwick

Before the Flood by Fisher Stevens 

The most crucial issue of our time is addressed by Leonardo DiCaprio – designated as UN Messenger of Peace – in the European premiere of his climate change documentary Before the Flood. Featuring interviews with scientists, environmentalists, activists and notables, including Obama and the Pope, this compelling film, timed for US release before the elections, is a must see.

Saturday 15^th October 2016 9.15pm at Odeon Leicester Square

Elle by Paul Verhoeven

Paul Verhoeven’s first French-language film, Elle is a powerful, classy thriller about a woman’s gritty, defiant retaliation against her rapist, a rebellious rejection of victimisation starring the illustrious Isabelle Huppert. Huppert’s tour de force performance in this role is likely her best to date. With hints of Polanski and Hitchcock, Elle is controversial, witty, irreverent and electrifying.

Saturday 8^th October 2016 8.40pm at Embankment Garden Cinema
Tuesday 11^th October 2016 11.30am at Embankment Garden Cinema

Don’t Blink – Robert Frank by Laura Israel

Called the most influential photographer alive, the iconic Robert Frank – known for his classic, groundbreaking photography – is delightfully portrayed in Laura Israel’s documentary Don’t Blink – Robert Frank. A stunning, affectionate retrospective of his work and a humourous study of a fascinating, rebellious artist, Don’t Blink is an enlightening, exquisite film.

Wednesday 5^th October 9pm at ICA Cinema
Thursday 6^th October 12pm at Vue West End Cinema
Monday 10^th October 6.30pm at Hackney Picturehouse

Miriam Karmali

Nocturnal Animals by Tom Ford

As Tom Ford’s second feature length film, the promise of sleek cinematography, outstanding wardrobe and a glittery cast make Nocturnal Animals unmissable if only for the aesthetics. Crucially, Zawe Ashton features as the highly anticipated cherry on top of this icy drama.

Friday 14^th October 2016 6pm at Odeon Leicester Square
Saturday 15^th October 2016 11.30am at Odeon Leicester Square
Sunday 16^th October 2016 3.30pm at Cine Lumiere

An Insignificant Man by Kushboo Ranka

Khushboo Ranka’s documentary following Arvind Kejriwal and his Common Man’s Party looks set to be a revelatory political portrait to get your teeth into. Arriving at a crucial time for politics in India and a uniquely tumultuous period for global politics, An Insignificant Man is vital viewing for the politically curious.

Saturday 8^th October 2016 8.50pm at BFI Southbank
Sunday 9^th October 2016 1pm at ICA Cinema

Neruda by Pablo Larrain

Following the life of prolific Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Pablo Larraín’s most recent creation is set to enthrall with its cleverness and precision to bring forth a work of illuminating beauty. If Larraín’s previous films are anything to go by, Neruda seems set to be next in a line of excellent films from one of Chile’s greatest directors.

Friday 14^th October 2016 8.45pm at Embankment Garden Cinema
Saturday 15^th October 2016 2.45pm at Embankment Garden Cinema

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor

Arrival by Denis Villeneuve (read review)

There are sci-fi movies that transcend science and Denis Villeneuve’s latest work belongs to this club. Arrival tells the story of expert linguist Louise (Amy Adams), selected by the US government to try and communicate with the aliens who landed in 12 spots across the globe. Tackling complex non-linear concepts, Arrival is an emotionally devastating slow-burner and this autumn’s must-see movie.

Monday 10^th October 2016 7.15pm at Odeon Leicester Square
Tuesday 11^th October 2016 11am at Odeon Leicester Square
Thursday 13^th October 2016 8.45pm at Hackney Picturehouse

The LFF Team