Editor

MUSIC FILM HIGHLIGHTS IN THE FESTIVAL:

World Premiere - SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN, Dir Stephen Kijak - Scott Walker went from jobbing bassist on Sunset Strip to iconic figure in Britain's 60s music scene, initially finding pop stardom with The Walker Brothers, then making a series of critically acclaimed and still treasured solo albums. Wilderness years and a brief Walker Brothers reunion followed, and he was on his way to being written off as a Radio 2 crooner, until some of the savvier members of the post-punk scene reclaimed him as a hero, including David Bowie and Jarvis Cocker who appear in the film.

Director Stephen Kijak will be attending the Festival.



World Premiere - LOVE STORY, Dir Mike Kerry & Chris Hall - In 2002, Labour backbencher Peter Bradley entered a motion in the House of Commons, declaring 'That this house pays tribute to the legendary Arthur Lee... front man and inspiration of Love, the world's greatest rock band and creators of Forever Changes, the greatest album of all time.' Sadly Lee died while the film was being completed, and LOVE STORY is a fitting eulogy to the man and his genius.

Co - Director Chris Hall will be attending the Festival.



THE US vs JOHN LENNON, Dir David Leaf - The evangelical shit storm that greeted John Lennon and The Beatles in America after Lennon observed that they were 'bigger than Jesus' might have made him think twice before making provocative statements again. The film justly celebrates Lennon's bravery in the face of this contempt, and also celebrates the wonderful music he made throughout this time and up until his tragic murder in 1980.

Director David Leaf will be attending the Festival.



DIXIE CHICKS: SHUT UP & SING, Dir Barbara Kopple & Cecilia Peck - 'Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas'. When Dixie Chick Natalie Maines said these words between songs at the band's 2003 Shepherd's Bush Empire gig, she little realised that they would prove so incendiary. The Chicks had been North America's highest selling band for eight years straight, with a sold out tour and a single at the top of the charts. But with America poised to invade Iraq, her off the cuff remarks were soon widely reported as 'unpatriotic', and the band went into freefall.

Director Cecilia Peck will be attending the Festival.



JACK SMITH & THE DESTRUCTION OF ATLANTIS, Dir Mary Jordan – ‘The only person I would ever copy. He makes the best movies.’ - Andy Warhol on Jack Smith. This documentary opens up Ali Baba's cave, mixing commentary from friends and enemies with the glistening treasures of Smith's own creation. Rare photographs, footage and audio bear testament to a uniquely baroque vision.

Director Mary Jordan will be attending the Festival.



A MUST SEE - Kenneth Anger films



SCORPIO RISING, Dir Kenneth Anger – Immensely influential for its use of pop music, Anger’s ironic critique of motorcycle gangs invokes Scorpio, the sign that rules machines, sex and death. This short film is often hailed as giving birth to the music video and for making Anger the "Godfather of MTV."



Kenneth Anger’ is a legendary pioneer of independent cinema and the best-selling author of the “Hollywood Babylon” books, which first spilled the beans on the dark side of Hollywood’s golden age. The special Kenneth Anger 35mm Preservations event offers an opportunity to see Anger’s landmark works as they have never been seen before: in glorious new 35mm prints made by the UCLA Film Archive with support from The Film Foundation. The following films will also screen alongside SCORPIO RISING: RABBIT’S MOON, FIREWORKS, and KUSTOM KAR KOMMANDOS.



The Festival will also screen ANGER ME, Dir Elio Gelmini - a feature-length documentary looking back on Anger's amazing life and career.

Both Kenneth Anger and Elio Gelmini will be attending the Festival.



A DYNAMIC TRIO:

YO LA TENGO IN CONVERSATION - New Jersey based couple Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley formed Yo La Tengo in 1984 and were joined by James McNew in 1992. Together these musicians make up one of America's most visionary indie bands. While their roots lie in indie-rock, their distinctive modern sounds, which often flirt with jazz, punk and noise, still manage to eschew easy classification. And yet, while the tone of their many albums vary, each can be said to posses a romantic, ethereal, even cinematic quality. More recently, they have scored several independent features, including two in this year's Festival - Kelly Reichardt's OLD JOY and John Cameron Mitchell's SHORTBUS. Their ability to flit among music genres and artistic media has allowed them the freedom to continuously re-invent themselves, proving to fans and critics alike that they are a band of unparalleled creativity.

YO LA TENGO will be "In Conversation" on Tuesday 31 October 20:30 at NFT2.

OPERA:

OPERA JAWA, Dir Garin Nugroho - This really is a Javanese opera, sung to a gamelan-based score by Rahayu Supanggah, inspired by an episode in the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. The music, choreography and settings all combine traditional and modern elements; the phenomenal designs are by Indonesia's leading sculptors and installation artists.

NOTEWORTHY SOUNDTRACKS FROM FESTIVAL FILMS:

THIS IS ENGLAND, Dir-Scr Shane Meadows - Shane Meadow’s new film set to a fabulous 80’s soundtrack.



VENUS, Dir Roger Michell - New Roger Michell film starring Peter O’Toole and Leslie Phillips and featuring the music of Mobo award-winning artist Corinne Bailey Rae.



HALF NELSON, Dir Ryan Fleck - American indie underscored by judicious musical choices including original compositions by Broken Social Scene.



OF MICE AND MEN, Dir Lewis Milestone - (‘Treasures From the Archives’ strand): A fine musical score by Aaron Copland.



TIMES AND WINDS, Dir Reha Erdem - Set to the swooning music of Arvo Pärt’s “Orient-Occident”.



LIGHTS IN THE DUSK, Dir Aki Kaurismäki - Beautifully judged music track that juxtaposes Puccini with the tangos of both Carlos Gardel (Volver) and Finland’s own Olavi Virta.



STRANGER THAN FICTION, Dir Marc Foster - Soundtrack includes the estimable music talents of Brian Reitzell and Spoon’s Britt Daniel.

THE ISLAND, Dir Pavel Lounguine - A powerful performance by rock star Pyotr Mamonov.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD, Dir-Scr Faouzi Bensaidi - Set against a genre-defying waltz of Arabic and Western sounds.



WHO LOVES THE SUN, Dir-Scr Matt Bissonnette - Features a soundtrack from Portastatic and songs from Silver Jews.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ALL THESE TITLES AND THE FULL FESTIVAL PROGRAMME, PLEASE GO TO: www.lff.org.uk



Images for the Festival are available to download from www.image.net



For all interview requests with Filmmakers and Festival programmers please contact:



Editorial enquiries: Clea Tammes (Clea.Tammes@premierpr.com / 020 7292 8349)

Broadcast / online enquiries: Claire Gascoyne (Claire.Gascoyne@premierpr.com / 020 7292 8343)

Website: www.premierpr.com