This week sees the launch of the 2018 Mini British Film Festival at the Luna on SX, Windsor, Paradiso, and Palace Raine Square. The festival has not only some of the best of British films from the past year, but also a number of classics. The chief drawcard amongst these is a tribute to actor Michael Caine. Not only will we see two of his best remembered roles from the 60s in The Italian Job and Alfie, but we also get an intimate look into the swinging 60s in his remembrances for the new documentary My Generation.
However we also get a touch of the new, with Caine’s latest film King of Thieves, which is based on the “stranger than fiction” true life tale of the 2015 Hatton Garden jewellery heist. The chance to see Michael Gambone, Ray Winstone, and Jim Broadbent act alongside Caine as a set of retired criminals is just too good to pass up. Throw in director James Marsh (The Theory of Everything), and it should be entertaining.
The festival starts with a bang with the Australian Premiere of Colette. Keira Knightley stars as the French eponymous novelist, as she struggles with issues of self-determination, gender and equality at the dawn of the feminist age.
There will also be a screening of the 4K restoration of The Dam Busters, which has been released to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the mission. Staying with the RAF theme, the Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) narrated documentary Spitfire, showcases one of the most iconic planes of the Battle of Britain.
On the other end of the spectrum there is Anna and the Apocalypse. A Christmas zombie musical set in a small Scottish town….why not?!
Finally the festival will close with the pairing of Steve Coogan and John C Reilley playing the beloved screen legends Laurel and Hardy in Stan and Ollie. Written by Oscar nominated writer Jeff Pope (Philomena) the film will center upon the comedy duo’s farewell tour.
The Mini British Film Festival will be running from October 25 to November 12. For further details on films and session times, consult the website.
