The Sun has set on another year at the Bradford International Film Festival and for me, this was my first time participating as a volunteer at the event held at the National Media Museum. It was also, I am a bit embarrassed to admit, my first time attending a film festival.
And although I shamefully did not get to see many of the vast selection of films on offer, I did, through my volunteering get to see some special screenings and events, all whilst wearing a funky red t-shirt and lanyard.
So here are my BIFF highlights seen through the eyes of an enthusiastic film lover, just there to help….
Saturday 13th April 2013 Sir Tom Courtenay Screen Talk
Bringing some old school acting class to the proceedings, Sir Tom Courtenay visited the festival to give a screen talk about his evergreen career and to receive a lifetime achievement award. Covering films from the quintessential Bradford based Billy Liar to the epic Doctor Zhivago, through to his most recent film Quartet. Courtenay engaged the audience with warmth and humour, recalling the times when actors were actors. He shared personal anecdotes between himself and Albert Finney, his love for theatre work and a very strong passion for Hull City FC.
Though he has a reputation for being a private person, Sir Tom revealed an affable and gracious manner and won over the cinematic hearts of the Pictureville audience.
Sunday 14th April 2013 Aidan Goatley: Ten films with my Dad
Writer/Comedian Aidan Goatley presented an amusing yet affectionate portrait of his childhood and his relationship with his Dad that was conversed through the medium of film. From his father’s early attempts to establish his son’s masculinity by trying to make him walk like John Wayne to spotting a deep fat fryer in a scene from Aliens, Goatley highlighted the familiar scenario that sometimes when it’s hard for parents and children to communicate, there is always a common thread to relate to, in this case, it is film. Particular amusement came from the deconstruction of ‘Oscar nominated’ screenplay Avatar and how awesome war film Went the Day Well is (Thora Hird fighting Nazis!). But the show, for all its chuckles, managed to end on a poignant note, as Aidan revealed how his Dad orchestrated a decade long plan to take his son to America to pay homage to his son’s favourite movie The Blues Brothers. The show ended by reminding us that we should not take our loved ones for granted and that even the little things such as watching a film with your folks are the things in life to cherish.
Thursday 18th April Best of Bug: Adam Buxton
This was my favourite show of the festival probably because I have such an avid interest in the medium of music videos and probably because it contained the best David Bowie impression I have ever heard (two tissues for my eyes). The effortlessly funny and jovial Adam Buxton took the audience on a comedic visual journey into some of the best music videos on the internet, combined with smatterings of witty observations, the joys of YouTube comments and the perils of visiting A & E with earache. It also brought to my attention some music videos that I had not seen before and which blew me away with their creative content. All the videos should be listed and praised for their various innovations and techniques however the stand outs for me were
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| Foals- My Number |
Willow: Sweater- The simplest ideas often become the most eye catching as the lead singer Pieter-Jan Van Den Troost of Willow is seen walking in a blank room whilst images are projected behind and around him. This allows him to encompass everything from riding the train to experiencing a deep sea water adventure. The projections seamlessly flow into one another creating a perfect backdrop to the song.
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| Willow-Sweater |
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Sacrilege- Proving sometimes all you need is a startling afflicting narrative and some reverse editing to produce a sombre poignant video.
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| Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Sacrilege |
Buxton could have easily continued the show all night and the audience would have welcomed this however with time against his side, when the show finished I was left thoroughly entertained yet eager for more. Hopefully Mr Buxton will roll the Bug circus into town sometime in the future.
Saturday 20th/Sunday 21st April 2013 The Dodge Brothers
The Dodge Brothers, who have become legends in the BIFF folklore, brought their own brand of skit music to the closing party of the festival on Saturday evening and an intimate ho down was had by all. On Sunday the band took to the stage in the Pictureville to provide the score to silent Soviet film ‘The Ghost that Never Returns’. Using instruments from washboards to a Theremin, The Dodge Brothers accompaniment was faultless and haunting, provoking and enhancing the images of the film. And the band seemed like a really nice bunch of guys too, who had enthusiasm and time for anyone who wanted to chat to them after their performance. This proved to be the perfect end to my time volunteering at the Bradford International Film Festival.
Special Mention to
BIFF by night
In the early evenings the Museum’s café would be transformed into a haven for music lovers, with BCB radio providing the soundtrack to the festival and presenting live music acts for visitors to enjoy in between events and screenings. This became my favourite down time between my volunteering duties, to relax in the café to music that I actually like (Boards of Canada! Broadcast! Scott Walker!). This is a rare thing to find in most mainstream establishments and left me with a big smile on my face and for me personally, enriched the experience of the festival, to be surrounded by people with open and experimental film and music taste.
