According To Sylvia » Big screen

Dream big… in the BUFF (British Urban Film Festival)

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 06:30:41 +0000

The British Urban Film Festival is taking place from today until 20 September at ODEON Camden and ODEON Swiss Cottage and will showcase urban independent cinema. Since 2005, many of the UK’s leading actors and actresses have starred, written, produced and directed films shown at the British Urban Film Festival including Chiwetel Ejiofor (“Slapper”), Sadie Frost , Clint Dyer, Ashley Walters, David Essex and Noel Clarke (“Adulthood”, “Huge”).

Tonight sees the world premiere of To Dream, the new film by Nicole Albarelli (“Trash”), starring Ed Hayter, Freddie Thorp (“The Head Hunte”), Adam Deacon (“Kidulthood”, “Adulthood”) and Diana Vickers (“Little Voice”).

The film starts at 7pm at ODEON Camden and will be followed by a Q&A hosted by Metro Film Editor Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.

There are still tickets left here:

http://www.odeon.co.uk/films/British_Urban_Film_Festival_2016_To_Dream/16792/#showtimes

To dream

BFI London Film Festival turns 60 and celebrates in style

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 09:02:07 +0000

The BFI unveiled today the line-up for the 60th London Film Festival which will take place on 5-16 October in venues across the capital, including the new Embankment Garden Cinema, in the Victoria Embankment Gardens.

Highlights include the Opening Night Gala A United Kingdom by Amma Asante, the Closing Night Gala Free Fire, the new film by Ben Wheatley (High-Rise, Sightseers), eagerly-awaited festival favourites La La Land, Manchester By The Sea, Nocturnal Animals and Snowden. We will definitely hear more about these films come Oscars time.

Other highlights include German tragi-comedy Toni Erdmann that won critical acclaim at Cannes, Olivier Assayas’ Personal Shopper with another break-out performance from Kristen Stewart, Paul Verhoeven’s Elle with an amazing performance by French icon Isabelle Huppert, Xavier Dolan’s latest Cannes Grand Prix-winner It’s Only the End of the World, Chi-Raq, Spike Lee’s reimagining of Aristophanes’ ancient Greek play Lysistrata and the world premiere of On the Road, Michael Winterbottom’s film following rising British music stars and Grammy-nominees Wolf Alice.

Greece is present at the Festival again however without regulars Yorgos Lanthimos (who is busy filming The Killing of a Sacred Deer with Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell and Alicia Silverstone) and Athina Rachel Tsangari (“Chevalier”). Greek films and co-productions include Voir du pays (with Lanthimos’ muse Ariane Labed), Moderation and Park (about the now desolate Athens Olympic Park).

Finally, we shouldn’t forget to mention the excellent talks and events that take place every year. This year the highlight is definitely the preview of Black Mirror’s new episode Nosedive and screen talks by directors Werner Herzog, Paul Verhoeven and Ben Wheatley.

So, have a look at the programme and let me know which films you are looking forward to:

https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online

Stay tuned for reviews and reactions from the red carpet!

Book your tickets today for London’s biggest celebration of film

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:58:27 +0000

London welcomes the world of cinema for the 59th time this year on 7-18 October. Tickets go on sale today and you can bag yourself a seat to marvel at global premieres, daring new films, or events from the likes of Todd Haynes, Saoirse Ronan, Geena Davis, Laurie Anderson or a little-known director by the name of Christopher Nolan.

I am looking forward to seeing new interesting films by my home country (including The Lobster, Chevalier), Brooklyn (a new film based on the Colm Toibin best-seller, adapted by Nick Hornby), Carol (a festival hit with Cate Blanchett), the possible resurrection of Johnny Depp’s career that could be Black Mass and new films by Luca Guadagnino, Ben Wheatley, Laurie Anderson and more.

240 films. From 72 countries. 16 cinemas. 12 days. One Festival.

Let me know what you will be watching on @sylviatra and see you on the red carpet!

London Film Festival 7-18 October

BFI London Film Festival kicks off today with new Cumberbatch drama

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:04:46 +0000

The 58th BFI London Film Festival opens its doors to the public today with 248 films from all over the world on offer. So, what are you going to watch this year? New films with Brad, Benedict (how did you manage to get tickets to the Imitation Game?), the film that will most probably send Steve Carell to the Oscars, Foxcatcher, Mike Leigh’s new film or a lesser known film that might not get distributed in the UK? Festivals are all about discovering new films, anyway.

As for me, I didn’t manage to get any tickets for the Imitation Game but I console myself with the fact that I have tickets for Hamlet next year. In the meantime, I am looking forward to Pasolini this Friday (I have an extra ticket for £17.50 if anyone is interested), Whiplash, A Blast (part of the new Greek Weird Wave?) and The New Girlfriend.

So, stay tuned and follow me on Twitter (@sylviatra) for reactions, reviews and photos from the red carpet!

The world’s film industry meets in Berlin

admin — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 13:41:29 +0000

As the Berlin film festival is drawing to a close on Sunday, forget Clooney’s comments about the Greek marbles and Shia’s weird antics and let’s focus on what this festival is all about: films. The long-awaited Nymphomaniac has caused a stir, as expected, and The Grand Budapest Hotel and films from Korea, Greece and elsewhere have received raving reviews. Sylvia will be there this week, so stay tuned for the latest news and pics from the red carpet.

Also, looking ahead there will be a review and reaction on Nymphomaniac Chapters I and II from the London one-night stand event next week.

A weekend in Paris… without setting foot in the Louvre

admin — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:47:10 +0000

One of the good things about living in London (despite what the Greeks living here will have you believe) is that the continent is on your doorstep. You can jump on a low-cost flight or train (if you care about your carbon footprint) and in two hours be in a different country, which feels like a world apart from the big smoke.

During these recession-hit times, it is still possible to find things to do for free even in a city as expensive as Paris.

You can walk outside the Louvre and if it’s a nice day take in the atmosphere and engage in people-watching by sitting in the renowned courtyard by the pyramid or take a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries. You will probably have already seen the most famous exhibits of the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo etc.) in a number of reproductions anyway, so better avoid the queues and go walking instead. You can walk by the river to the Notre Dame, where a visit inside is essential if only to admire the stained glasses and the gargoyles on the façade.

Walk across the bridge and you will find yourself in front of probably the most famous English-language bookshop in Paris, Shakespeare and Company (37 Rue de la Bûcherie) http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/ (another film reference). It is open all-year round and holds occasional writer events. Don’t omit to visit the first floor where you will find even more books, a piano and a reading area (and if you are a writer even a place to stay).

For spectacular views of Paris walk up the hill to Montmartre and visit the famous Sacre Coeur Basilica (another movie reference). Don’t forget to feed the pigeons or take a spin on the merry-go-round.

If you are looking for a small quirky joint with a decent wine list and affordable cheese and charcuterie platters, look no further than the L’Art Brut Bistrot (78, rue Quincampoix – another movie reference). http://www.artbrutbistrot.fr

And of course no trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to Centre Georges Pompidou, the Tate Modern of the French capital. Like its London equivalent, Pompidou hosts modern exhibitions and it’s definitely worth a visit if only for the architecture of the building (by Renzo Piano) and the restaurant on the top floor. You will need a ticket for the exhibitions though, so better check before you visit.

P.S. Whoever gets the film references wins my respect.

Sundance festival comes to London

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:50:20 +0000

This weekend is expected to be rainy (where has the spring gone?), so what better opportunity to go to the cinema? With US indie festival heavyweight Sundance coming to town again this year, you have the chance to catch new films before they are released (or not) in the UK. Highlights include Mud (apparently Matthew McConaughey’s best performance so far), a documentary about the Eagles, quirky comedy A.C.O.D., drama Emanuel and the Truth About Fishes (with Kaya Scodelario) and many more.

On top of that, there are performances by Peaches, British Sea Power, Public Service Broadcasting and more, panel talks and something for everyone this year.

So head down to the 02 until Sunday and who knows you might catch a glimpse of the original Sundance Kid Robert Redford himself…

http://www.sundance-london.com

Greek films come to London

admin — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:40:20 +0000

Greek films take center stage for another year in London when the 5th London Greek Film Festival opens its curtains to the London cinema lovers. This year the festival will be held from the 8 to 18 October. During that time, more than 45 films will be screened at the Westbourne Studios (242 Acklam Road, London W10 5JJ) close to Portobello in west London. This year’s films include feature fiction films, documentaries, short films, experimental films and video art. Selected short and feature scripts will also be presented.
During the festival the spectators can also attend on 13 October an open workshop entitled ‘Greek Film Network: an opportunity for film business networking from the London Greek Film Festival’. On 14 October Mythopolis will host a party with the very best of Greek music.
The festival will draw to an end on 18 October with the ‘Odysseus Awards’ evening ceremony, where the best films of the festival in each category will be presented with their prizes. The awards ceremony will be followed by a closing party at the Mythopolis music scene (277 City Road, London EC1V 1LA) with the all female group Nefeles.

See you there!

London welcomes world cinema festival

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:56:15 +0000

The biggest celebration of cinema has rolled into town again this year. For the next ten days the biggest names in movies will descend to Leicester Square and other venues to promote their new films in this annual festival. Highlights and early Oscar contenders include Argo (directed by Ben Affleck), Rust and Bone (the return of Jacques Audiard with the magnificent Marion Cotillard) and indie favourites like Celeste and Jesse Forever.

Home-grown British talent will be celebrated with the premiere of Great Expectations among others, featuring superb performances by Ralph Fiennes as Magwitch and Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham.

Of course, don’t miss the new wave of Greek cinema, a force to be reckoned with in recent years. Following appearances at festivals around the world, the films that will be shown in London are “Boy Eating the Bird’s Food” by Ektoras Lygizos, “The Capsule” by festival favourite Athina Rachel Tsangari and “Exit K1” by Janis Rafailidou.

Stay tuned for up-to-date reviews and reactions from the red carpet!

What I did this week: queens and boats

admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:41:19 +0000

Joined a million other people by the Thames to catch a glimpse of Queenie
Reminded myself why I don’t like central London on a weekend
Partied like the English at a street party
Watched the diamond jubilee concert while cringing at Grace Jones (hoola hoop? seriously?), Cheryl and JLS
Felt proud to be a Greek when I saw the national football team at the Euro facing Poland and then not so proud when I saw a member of the Greek far-right party Golden Dawn slapping an MP of communist party KKE on live TV
Interviewed Marcus Markou about his new film Papadopoulos & Sons (interview to follow next week)
Said goodbye and au revoir to people I love