No one has done a musical like this before, keeping an uneasy beat to craft a dark replica of scared community spirit in the wake of a shocking crime. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
When I hear that something deadly serious has been turned into a stage musical, the first thing that springs to mind is Elephant! the all-singing, all-dancing Broadway show based on the life of “Elephant Man” Joseph Merrick, within the comedy film The Tall Guy. Or, of course, Springtime for Hitler.
So when I heard that London Road, a film adaptation of a National Theatre musical production, is about a 2006 serial-murder case, my first reaction was: Hell no. The potential for getting this wrong is enormous: the probability of tonal imbalance between hammy dramatics and horrible crime is almost 100 percent.
But...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
When I hear that something deadly serious has been turned into a stage musical, the first thing that springs to mind is Elephant! the all-singing, all-dancing Broadway show based on the life of “Elephant Man” Joseph Merrick, within the comedy film The Tall Guy. Or, of course, Springtime for Hitler.
So when I heard that London Road, a film adaptation of a National Theatre musical production, is about a 2006 serial-murder case, my first reaction was: Hell no. The potential for getting this wrong is enormous: the probability of tonal imbalance between hammy dramatics and horrible crime is almost 100 percent.
But...
- 6/12/2015
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Other multiple nominees include Philomena, Blue Jasmine, Filth, Gravity and The Wolf of Wall StreetScroll down for full nominations
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave leads the nominees for the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, with nine nods. Stephen Frears’ Philomena follows with five nominations.
Receiving four each were Blue Jasmine, Filth, Gravity and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Films getting three nominations each were American Hustle, Blue is the Warmest Colour, Captain Phillips, Frances Ha, The Great Beauty, Inside Llewyn Davis, Nebraska and The Selfish Giant.
Gary Oldman will be honoured with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film. Oldman said: “I am truly honoured, and humbled to be named for this prestigious award, especially when one considers both who is doing the awarding and also the inspirational list of past recipients. I can’t wait to be there.”
The 34th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, voted on by 140 members, will be held...
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave leads the nominees for the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, with nine nods. Stephen Frears’ Philomena follows with five nominations.
Receiving four each were Blue Jasmine, Filth, Gravity and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Films getting three nominations each were American Hustle, Blue is the Warmest Colour, Captain Phillips, Frances Ha, The Great Beauty, Inside Llewyn Davis, Nebraska and The Selfish Giant.
Gary Oldman will be honoured with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film. Oldman said: “I am truly honoured, and humbled to be named for this prestigious award, especially when one considers both who is doing the awarding and also the inspirational list of past recipients. I can’t wait to be there.”
The 34th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, voted on by 140 members, will be held...
- 12/18/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Congratulations to the five young actors nominated for the Young British Performer of the Year by the London Critics' Circle for its 34th Film Awards.
The five nominees for Young British Performer of the Year are:
Conner Chapman for Clio Barnard's The Selfish Giant. Connor (represented by On It Artists) was discovered as a 13 year old by Casting Director Amy Hubbard when she visited local schools in Buttenshaw looking for raw talent. He is in school still but this year has appeared in Channel 4 miniseries The Mill, and will be seen next in Mike Doxford’s Pleasure Island.
Shaun Thomas for The Selfish Giant. 16 year old Shaun (now represented by On It Artists) was also discovered by Amy Hubbard, after an open casting at local estate in Bradford.
Saoirse Ronan for her starring roles in Byzantium, The Host, and How I Live Now. Saoirse was also nominated for...
The five nominees for Young British Performer of the Year are:
Conner Chapman for Clio Barnard's The Selfish Giant. Connor (represented by On It Artists) was discovered as a 13 year old by Casting Director Amy Hubbard when she visited local schools in Buttenshaw looking for raw talent. He is in school still but this year has appeared in Channel 4 miniseries The Mill, and will be seen next in Mike Doxford’s Pleasure Island.
Shaun Thomas for The Selfish Giant. 16 year old Shaun (now represented by On It Artists) was also discovered by Amy Hubbard, after an open casting at local estate in Bradford.
Saoirse Ronan for her starring roles in Byzantium, The Host, and How I Live Now. Saoirse was also nominated for...
- 12/18/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
The London Film Critics' Circle announced their nominations and surprise, surprise, Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" led the pack with nine nods including Best Picture. Missing in action? David O. Russell's "American Hustle" But Jennifer Lawrence was given a Best Supporting Actress nomination.
Winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on February 2, 2014.
Here's the complete list of nominees of the London Film Critics' Circle awards:
Film of the Year
"Blue is the Warmest Color"
"Blue Jasmine"
"Frances Ha"
"Gravity"
"Her"
"The Great Beauty"
"Inside Llewyn Davis"
"Nebraska"
"12 Years a Slave"
"The Wolf of Wall Street"
Director of the Year
Alfonso Cuaròn, "Gravity"
Paul Greengrass, "Captain Phillips"
Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave"
Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Paolo Sorrentino, "The Great Beauty"
Actor of the Year
Bruce Dern, "Nebraska"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra"
Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave"
Tom Hanks,...
Winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on February 2, 2014.
Here's the complete list of nominees of the London Film Critics' Circle awards:
Film of the Year
"Blue is the Warmest Color"
"Blue Jasmine"
"Frances Ha"
"Gravity"
"Her"
"The Great Beauty"
"Inside Llewyn Davis"
"Nebraska"
"12 Years a Slave"
"The Wolf of Wall Street"
Director of the Year
Alfonso Cuaròn, "Gravity"
Paul Greengrass, "Captain Phillips"
Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave"
Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Paolo Sorrentino, "The Great Beauty"
Actor of the Year
Bruce Dern, "Nebraska"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra"
Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave"
Tom Hanks,...
- 12/17/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
As 11 year-old Skunk (Eloise Laurence) approaches adolescence, she also seems to approach a higher level of awareness. While the world around her may still seem like a playground, Skunk begins to notice the violent and hateful underbelly of society. Everyone has their faults and blemishes -- Skunk, for one, has type 1 Diabetes -- and life is certainly not filled with rainbows and unicorns. Take the microcosm of the suburban London cul-de-sac where she lives with her father, Archie (Tim Roth), for example. Across the street, Mr. Oswald (Rory Kinnear) has been left to raise his three daughters on his own, thus Mr. Oswald has become a violent beast who flies off the handle at the drop of a hat, such as when one of his daughters claims that Rick (Robert Emms) -- a socially-troubled young man who still lives with his parents -- raped her. Mr. Oswald pummels poor Rick...
- 11/9/2013
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Slipping Down Life: Norris’ Debut Steeps Notable Performances in Melodrama
Famed theater director Rufus Norris makes his cinematic directorial debut with an adaptation of Daniel Clay’s novel, Broken, which features a highly enjoyable lead performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence. A first rating supporting cast is also responsible for some quietly observed moments, though none of the performers are able to mask the increasing hysterical elements of the film’s overly dramatic narrative, which reachs fever pitch by the final frames, reducing the intricate power of its first half. Despite these noticeable shortcomings, Norris’ film isn’t without notable merit, and manages to sustain a certain level of interest.
In the suburbs of North London, Skunk (Eloise Laurence) a spunky pre-adolescent resides in a cozy cul-de-sac with her solicitor father Archie (Tim Roth) and older brother, Jed (Bill Milner). Mom flew the coop some time ago, so a live-in nanny,...
Famed theater director Rufus Norris makes his cinematic directorial debut with an adaptation of Daniel Clay’s novel, Broken, which features a highly enjoyable lead performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence. A first rating supporting cast is also responsible for some quietly observed moments, though none of the performers are able to mask the increasing hysterical elements of the film’s overly dramatic narrative, which reachs fever pitch by the final frames, reducing the intricate power of its first half. Despite these noticeable shortcomings, Norris’ film isn’t without notable merit, and manages to sustain a certain level of interest.
In the suburbs of North London, Skunk (Eloise Laurence) a spunky pre-adolescent resides in a cozy cul-de-sac with her solicitor father Archie (Tim Roth) and older brother, Jed (Bill Milner). Mom flew the coop some time ago, so a live-in nanny,...
- 7/24/2013
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Irish actor Cillian Murphy has been making many interesting acting choices over the past eleven or twelve years, first getting attention for his role in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later in 2002 before going on to a series of films of varying sizes and budgets. Most recently, he's become known as Christopher Nolan's go-to guy, appearing in all three "Dark Knight" movies as Dr. Jonathan Crane Aka The Scarecrow as well as playing a key role in Nolan's sci-fi masterpiece, Inception . Every once in a while, Murphy will appear in a smaller indie and that is the case with Rufus Norris' Broken , a coming-of-age drama starring newcomer Eloise Laurence as "Skunk," a teenage girl growing up in a small British cul-de-sac who sees the goings-on in that world through her own...
- 7/24/2013
- Comingsoon.net
What if Atticus and Scout Finch were transported to present-day North London? Based on Daniel Clay’s novel, the film adaptation of Broken takes the inspiration of Harper Lee’s American classic to create a compelling portrait of what Scout, Boo Radley, Atticus, and others might look like in modern times. But it’s a less of a reproduction and more of an homage. First-time feature director Rufus Norris weaves a multi-character narrative set around Skunk, portrayed by novice actress Eloise Laurence, a tomboyish 11-year-old diabetic who lives with her father, brother, and nanny on a street full of secrets and sadness.
- 7/22/2013
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
Childhood can be tough, but how tough you can't imagine until you've witnessed Rufus Norris's Broken, a film of innocence getting roundly trounced. Based upon Daniel Clay's highly readable tome, which was itself inspired by Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the action takes place in a cul-de-sac in Southampton, where three damaged families reside. The "dead-end" metaphor is not to be taken lightly.
In the first of the three houses focused upon, there are the victims, the Buckleys, a rather decent, middle-aged, milquetoast couple with a son in his late teens/early twenties, Rick (Robert Ems), who isn't quite all there. Allotted few social skills, the young man is almost childlike, and consequently feels most comfortable communicating with those who are really children.
Then there are the bullies, the lower-class, motherless Oswalds who have moved into a lovely Housing Association property, only to bring it to ruin while scaring their neighbors.
In the first of the three houses focused upon, there are the victims, the Buckleys, a rather decent, middle-aged, milquetoast couple with a son in his late teens/early twenties, Rick (Robert Ems), who isn't quite all there. Allotted few social skills, the young man is almost childlike, and consequently feels most comfortable communicating with those who are really children.
Then there are the bullies, the lower-class, motherless Oswalds who have moved into a lovely Housing Association property, only to bring it to ruin while scaring their neighbors.
- 7/19/2013
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
There is a difference between a kitchen sink drama and a drama that includes everything but the kitchen sink, and unfortunately for "Broken," it's more of the latter than the former. Marking the feature debut by theatre director Rufus Norris and with Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy and Rory Kinnear among the ensemble, this is the kind of movie that mistakes adding a new plot twist every fifteen minutes for narrative momentum and drama. The story revolves around three families who occupy a cul-de-sac that could be Anywhere In England. In one house we have the 11-year-old diabetic Skunk (Eloise Laurence) who lives with her brother Jed (Bill Milner) and her stepmom Kasia (Zana Marjanovic), who is dating Mike (Murphy). But stopping by most evenings is Archie (Roth), who maintains a close relationship with his ex, Kasia. Why this familial relationship needs to be this complicated is not quite clear. To...
- 7/19/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
From acclaimed director Rufus Norris comes the 2012 British Independent Film Awards (Bifa) Best Film winner Broken (2012), a powerful, captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms; idealised, unrequited, and, ultimately, unconditional. To celebrate the DVD and Blu-ray release of Norris' Cannes Film Festival-selected first offering this coming Monday (8 July), we have Three DVD copies of the film to offer out to our loyal readership, courtesy of the generous team at UK distributor StudioCanal. This is an exclusive competition for our Facebook and Twitter fans, so if you haven't already, 'Like' us at facebook.com/CineVueUK or follow us @CineVue before answering the question below.
With some light comic touches and a brilliant central performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence, this coming-of-age story deals with the tumultuousness of growing up in a world where the unhappy certainties of childhood give way to a fear-filled doubt, and where a complex,...
With some light comic touches and a brilliant central performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence, this coming-of-age story deals with the tumultuousness of growing up in a world where the unhappy certainties of childhood give way to a fear-filled doubt, and where a complex,...
- 7/11/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
From acclaimed director Rufus Norris, comes the British Independent Film Awards 2012 Best Film Winner Broken; a powerful, captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms; idealised, unrequited, and, ultimately, unconditional. With some light comic touches and a brilliant central performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence, this coming of age story deals with the tumultuousness of growing up in a world where the unhappy certainties of childhood give way to a fear-filled doubt, and where a complex, broken world fills the future. Featuring a stellar support cast including 2013 Bifa Best Supporting Actor winner Rory Kinnear, Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy.
Based on Daniel Clay’s acclaimed 2009 novel Broken is a story that gets to the very heart of modern social dysfunction.
The Broken soundtrack is by Electric Wave Bureau, an artists collective founded by musical director Mike Smith, artist Suzi Winstanley, Nelson De Freitas and musician Damon Albarn dedicated...
Based on Daniel Clay’s acclaimed 2009 novel Broken is a story that gets to the very heart of modern social dysfunction.
The Broken soundtrack is by Electric Wave Bureau, an artists collective founded by musical director Mike Smith, artist Suzi Winstanley, Nelson De Freitas and musician Damon Albarn dedicated...
- 7/10/2013
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
Arbitrage; Parker; Safe Haven; Me and You; Broken
Despite the seductive beefcake reputation that first made him a star, Richard Gere has always excelled at essentially unsympathetic (and untrustworthy) roles in which his charismatic exterior masks a darker inner truth. From Internal Affairs to Intersection, he's at his best when actively undermining the affection bestowed upon stars by their audiences.
Three cheers, then, for Arbitrage (2012, Koch, 15), in which Gere is perfectly cast as a duplicitous businessman and unreliable husband and father whose life is teetering on the brink of collapse, both personal and financial. As his philanthropist wife (Susan Sarandon) and natural successor daughter (Brit Marling) struggle to penetrate the labyrinthine machinations of his increasingly fractured personality, hedge fund manager Robert Miller (Gere) hangs on tenaciously to the belief that he can buy his way out of a crisis, if only a key deal comes through in time. Neither savage...
Despite the seductive beefcake reputation that first made him a star, Richard Gere has always excelled at essentially unsympathetic (and untrustworthy) roles in which his charismatic exterior masks a darker inner truth. From Internal Affairs to Intersection, he's at his best when actively undermining the affection bestowed upon stars by their audiences.
Three cheers, then, for Arbitrage (2012, Koch, 15), in which Gere is perfectly cast as a duplicitous businessman and unreliable husband and father whose life is teetering on the brink of collapse, both personal and financial. As his philanthropist wife (Susan Sarandon) and natural successor daughter (Brit Marling) struggle to penetrate the labyrinthine machinations of his increasingly fractured personality, hedge fund manager Robert Miller (Gere) hangs on tenaciously to the belief that he can buy his way out of a crisis, if only a key deal comes through in time. Neither savage...
- 7/6/2013
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
The man behind Michael Haneke's fake Twitter account revealed at last, plus news of two exciting film seasons
'Haneke' is hidden no more
His tweets fooled Hollywood and stars such as Salman Rushdie, Debra Messing, Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. But he's also been acclaimed as "the best thing on Twitter" amid the carefully choreographed publicity of studio Oscar campaigns. And today, Trash can solve the mystery puzzling the film world: who is the genius behind the fake Michael Haneke Twitter account? The author of the funniest film gags of the awards season is 28-year-old Londoner Benjamin Lee, a journalist and deputy editor of the highly successful ShortList.com. The director of Amour and The White Ribbon has a reputation for austere seriousness but recently, through Lee's hilarious proxy tweets, he has become more famous for his love of KFC, his cat and the fruity chews Skittles.
"It was...
'Haneke' is hidden no more
His tweets fooled Hollywood and stars such as Salman Rushdie, Debra Messing, Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. But he's also been acclaimed as "the best thing on Twitter" amid the carefully choreographed publicity of studio Oscar campaigns. And today, Trash can solve the mystery puzzling the film world: who is the genius behind the fake Michael Haneke Twitter account? The author of the funniest film gags of the awards season is 28-year-old Londoner Benjamin Lee, a journalist and deputy editor of the highly successful ShortList.com. The director of Amour and The White Ribbon has a reputation for austere seriousness but recently, through Lee's hilarious proxy tweets, he has become more famous for his love of KFC, his cat and the fruity chews Skittles.
"It was...
- 3/10/2013
- by Jason Solomons
- The Guardian - Film News
As the title suggests, Broken offers an image of modern Britain in the form of three dead-end families leading desperate lives at the end of a cul-de-sac in an anonymous London suburb. The violent, recently widowed working-class Bob Oswald (Rory Kinnear) is fiercely protective of his three dangerously wayward daughters. The repressed, petit bourgeois Mr Buckley (Denis Lawson) and his alcoholic wife can't cope with their vulnerable, handicapped son and have him sectioned. Deserted by his wife, the kindly Archie (Tim Roth), a small-time local solicitor, takes care of his 12-year-old diabetic daughter Skunk (Eloise Laurence) and 14-year-old son with the help of a good-looking Polish au pair, who's in love with a schoolteacher (Cillian Murphy). The three households interact convincingly and disastrously, and the movie is well played, especially by Eloise Laurence, through whose puzzled eyes we see much of what happens. But what for most of the time...
- 3/10/2013
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
Oz The Great And Powerful | Side Effects | Broken | Parker | The Guilt Trip | Robot & Frank | Babeldom | Fire With Fire | The Princess Bride
Oz The Great And Powerful (PG)
(Sam Raimi, 2013, Us) James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff, Joey King. 130 mins
Putting adjectives like "great" and "powerful" in your title is asking for trouble, but then "expensive" and "underwhelming" probably didn't fit on the poster. Raimi's prequel apes the original Wizard Of Oz in many respects, but refuses to stoop to camp comedy, or song-and-dance or anything too childish. As a result, this green-screen tribute to smoke and mirrors feels decidedly short on magic.
Side Effects (15)
(Steven Soderbergh, 2013, Us) Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum. 106 mins
A stark reminder of both the pitfalls of the antidepressant industry, and how dull the movie landscape will look if Soderbergh really does retire (as he's threatened). Mara's troubled New Yorker is...
Oz The Great And Powerful (PG)
(Sam Raimi, 2013, Us) James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff, Joey King. 130 mins
Putting adjectives like "great" and "powerful" in your title is asking for trouble, but then "expensive" and "underwhelming" probably didn't fit on the poster. Raimi's prequel apes the original Wizard Of Oz in many respects, but refuses to stoop to camp comedy, or song-and-dance or anything too childish. As a result, this green-screen tribute to smoke and mirrors feels decidedly short on magic.
Side Effects (15)
(Steven Soderbergh, 2013, Us) Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum. 106 mins
A stark reminder of both the pitfalls of the antidepressant industry, and how dull the movie landscape will look if Soderbergh really does retire (as he's threatened). Mara's troubled New Yorker is...
- 3/9/2013
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
The quality of the acting can't salvage a self-conscious family drama about a lonely 11-year-old
Since its debut in the Critics' Week section of last year's Cannes film festival, Rufus Norris's movie Broken has enjoyed a strong festival run, culminating in two British independent film awards before Christmas. In light of this, my personal critical response stands out like a sore thumb, but having now watched Broken a second time, I can only honestly repeat the reservations I expressed at Cannes. Despite a blue-chip cast, some tremendous cinematography by Rob Hardy and a lovely newcomer performance from Eloise Laurence, Broken is a strained, self-conscious and unconvincing drama, with some unsatisfyingly histrionic emotional crises, in which violence is a shortcut to emotional truth. Laurence plays Skunk, a lonely 11-year-old girl, about to go up to secondary school; she is the daughter of Archie (Tim Roth), the divorced solicitor who works way too hard,...
Since its debut in the Critics' Week section of last year's Cannes film festival, Rufus Norris's movie Broken has enjoyed a strong festival run, culminating in two British independent film awards before Christmas. In light of this, my personal critical response stands out like a sore thumb, but having now watched Broken a second time, I can only honestly repeat the reservations I expressed at Cannes. Despite a blue-chip cast, some tremendous cinematography by Rob Hardy and a lovely newcomer performance from Eloise Laurence, Broken is a strained, self-conscious and unconvincing drama, with some unsatisfyingly histrionic emotional crises, in which violence is a shortcut to emotional truth. Laurence plays Skunk, a lonely 11-year-old girl, about to go up to secondary school; she is the daughter of Archie (Tim Roth), the divorced solicitor who works way too hard,...
- 3/8/2013
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Tim Roth has defended Quentin Tarantino, saying the interviewer who recently drew the director's wrath on the question of film violence “came out looking a bit shabby”.
The British actor, who starred in Tarantino's breakthrough film 'Reservoir Dogs' back in 1992, tells HuffPost UK of the director's verbal blast at Channel 4 presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy: “Quentin's Quentin, and what he said was absolutely right. He's been asked that question since 'Reservoir Dogs', I remember it.
"And he said 'Google me', look me up. You know, do your homework, but the guy was obviously trying to get a rise out of him..., he did but he didn't come out of it looking too good, he came out looking a bit shabby, I think, not Quentin."
Tim Roth (front right) in Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs'
Roth, based in the Us for the last decade, says...
The British actor, who starred in Tarantino's breakthrough film 'Reservoir Dogs' back in 1992, tells HuffPost UK of the director's verbal blast at Channel 4 presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy: “Quentin's Quentin, and what he said was absolutely right. He's been asked that question since 'Reservoir Dogs', I remember it.
"And he said 'Google me', look me up. You know, do your homework, but the guy was obviously trying to get a rise out of him..., he did but he didn't come out of it looking too good, he came out looking a bit shabby, I think, not Quentin."
Tim Roth (front right) in Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs'
Roth, based in the Us for the last decade, says...
- 3/7/2013
- by Caroline Frost
- Huffington Post
Director: Rufus Norris; Screenwriter: Mark O'Rowe; Starring: Eloise Laurence, Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy, Rory Kinnear, Robert Emms; Running time: 91 mins; Certificate: 15
Children making false accusations of sexual abuse has become a weirdly common trope in big-screen drama, with last year's remarkable The Hunt sketching out a high watermark. Rufus Norris uses such an accusation to kick-start the disturbing action of his feature debut, which follows the overlapping stories of three families living on the same unremarkable North London street.
Eleven-year-old Skunk (newcomer Eloise Laurence) witnesses her brutish neighbour Bob (Rory Kinnear) beating up the sweet but unstable boy next door, Rick (Robert Emms), an attack which sets in motion a chain of unfortunate events. Her father Archie (Tim Roth) is adjusting to life as a single dad, while their housekeeper Kasia (Zana Marjanovic) is in a troubled relationship with local schoolteacher Mike (Cillian Murphy), who in turn is struggling to discipline Bob's Asbo-courting daughters.
Children making false accusations of sexual abuse has become a weirdly common trope in big-screen drama, with last year's remarkable The Hunt sketching out a high watermark. Rufus Norris uses such an accusation to kick-start the disturbing action of his feature debut, which follows the overlapping stories of three families living on the same unremarkable North London street.
Eleven-year-old Skunk (newcomer Eloise Laurence) witnesses her brutish neighbour Bob (Rory Kinnear) beating up the sweet but unstable boy next door, Rick (Robert Emms), an attack which sets in motion a chain of unfortunate events. Her father Archie (Tim Roth) is adjusting to life as a single dad, while their housekeeper Kasia (Zana Marjanovic) is in a troubled relationship with local schoolteacher Mike (Cillian Murphy), who in turn is struggling to discipline Bob's Asbo-courting daughters.
- 3/7/2013
- Digital Spy
★★★★☆ Winner of the Best Film award at last year's British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), theatre director Rufus Norris' debut feature Broken (2013) finally gets its UK release this week, courtesy of StudioCanal. An adaptation of Daniel Clay's novel of the same name, Broken is jam-packed with ideas, almost all of which are well-executed. The narrative centres around 11-year-old tomboy Skunk (magnificent newcomer Eloise Laurence), a type 1 diabetic who lives in a suburban cul-de-sac with her older brother Jed (Bill Milner) and single father Archie (Tim Roth). Through Skunk's eyes, we see the troubled lives of those around her unfold.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 3/7/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Having spent vast lengths of his career on the other side of the pond, Tim Roth returns to British cinema for the first time in a decade, teaming up with first film filmmaker Rufus Norris in Broken. We had the pleasure of speaking to Roth ahead of the films March 8 release.
Broken – which won the top prize for Best Film at last years British Independent Film Awards – features Roth as Archie, an inherently caring father of two, who watches on as his daughter Skunk (Eloise Laurence) gets embroiled in a series of dramatic occurrences amongst their neighbours.
Roth speaks about his return to the UK, as well as his wonderful on-screen chemistry with newcomer Laurence – whom he also has high praise for, as the youngster shines in her debut feature film.
Broken is released in UK cinemas tomorrow 8th March.
Iframe Embed for Youtube
The post The HeyUGuys Interview: Tim Roth...
Broken – which won the top prize for Best Film at last years British Independent Film Awards – features Roth as Archie, an inherently caring father of two, who watches on as his daughter Skunk (Eloise Laurence) gets embroiled in a series of dramatic occurrences amongst their neighbours.
Roth speaks about his return to the UK, as well as his wonderful on-screen chemistry with newcomer Laurence – whom he also has high praise for, as the youngster shines in her debut feature film.
Broken is released in UK cinemas tomorrow 8th March.
Iframe Embed for Youtube
The post The HeyUGuys Interview: Tim Roth...
- 3/7/2013
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The strained relationships between three families living on an anonymous London estate eventually snap, resulting in an orgy of violence and bitter recrimination. Tim Roth's divorced lawyer is the beacon of decency in a maelstrom of bad feeling while his 11-year-old daughter Skunk (nicely played by newcomer Eloise Laurence) represents an adolescent spirit of optimism that even her dysfunctional neighbours can't smother. A hard but rewarding watch from theatre director Rufus Norris in his debut feature.
- 3/5/2013
- Sky Movies
Tim Roth, one of the UK's most successful actors in America, has come home for the gruelling family drama, 'Broken', and HuffPost UK are pleased to host an exclusive clip - see above.
Tim Roth with young co-star Eloise Laurence in 'Broken'
Rufus Norris's directorial debut, which took home the top prize for Best Film at the British Independent Film Awards last year, tells the story of well-meaning but emotionally preoccupied solicitor Archie (Roth), and his free-spirited daughter Skunk (Eloise Laurence).
The routine of their family, together with brother Jed and au pere Kasia, is thrown asunder when Skunk witnesses a violent attack on their neighbours' son. This has consequences for all of them, as well as Kasia's boyfriend Mike (Cillian Murphy), who is also a teacher at Skunk's school.
To find out how Cillian Murphy ended up like this, you'll have to see the film.
Tim Roth with young co-star Eloise Laurence in 'Broken'
Rufus Norris's directorial debut, which took home the top prize for Best Film at the British Independent Film Awards last year, tells the story of well-meaning but emotionally preoccupied solicitor Archie (Roth), and his free-spirited daughter Skunk (Eloise Laurence).
The routine of their family, together with brother Jed and au pere Kasia, is thrown asunder when Skunk witnesses a violent attack on their neighbours' son. This has consequences for all of them, as well as Kasia's boyfriend Mike (Cillian Murphy), who is also a teacher at Skunk's school.
To find out how Cillian Murphy ended up like this, you'll have to see the film.
- 2/19/2013
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
Debuting at Cannes last spring, Rufus Norris’ acclaimed drama, Broken, will be arriving in our theatres in just a few weeks’ time.
With a slew of awards and nominations to its name, including winning the Best British Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards late last year, its reputation certainly precedes it.
And with just a few weeks to wait before it arrives, StudioCanal have released the new UK poster, in both quad and portrait forms.
“From acclaimed director Rufus Norris comes Broken, a powerful, captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms: idealised, unrequited, and, ultimately, unconditional. With some light comic touches and a brilliant central performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence, this coming of age story deals with the tumultuousness of growing up in a world where the happy certainties of childhood give way to a fear-filled doubt, and where a complex, broken world fills the future.
With a slew of awards and nominations to its name, including winning the Best British Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards late last year, its reputation certainly precedes it.
And with just a few weeks to wait before it arrives, StudioCanal have released the new UK poster, in both quad and portrait forms.
“From acclaimed director Rufus Norris comes Broken, a powerful, captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms: idealised, unrequited, and, ultimately, unconditional. With some light comic touches and a brilliant central performance from newcomer Eloise Laurence, this coming of age story deals with the tumultuousness of growing up in a world where the happy certainties of childhood give way to a fear-filled doubt, and where a complex, broken world fills the future.
- 2/18/2013
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
It's the reign of the robots on screen, even though Spielberg's Robopocalypse went back to the drawing board for a total rethink.
Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim will show pilot-operated machines tackling an invasion of giant monsters, another Transformers is on the way and the next X-Men film is an exciting time-travel tale that will see mutant-hunting Sentinels targeting the team.
Continuing the trend but on a much smaller scale is Robot & Frank, which will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on March 8, 2013.
An official UK poster was recently unveiled for the movie, which is directed by Jake Schreier and stars Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden and Liv Tyler, with Robot voiced by Peter Sarsgaard.
Robot & Frank is a buddy caper. Set in the near future, ageing curmudgeon and retired jewel thief Frank (Frank Langella) lives a solitary life until his son (James Marsden) installs a caretaker robot,...
Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim will show pilot-operated machines tackling an invasion of giant monsters, another Transformers is on the way and the next X-Men film is an exciting time-travel tale that will see mutant-hunting Sentinels targeting the team.
Continuing the trend but on a much smaller scale is Robot & Frank, which will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on March 8, 2013.
An official UK poster was recently unveiled for the movie, which is directed by Jake Schreier and stars Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden and Liv Tyler, with Robot voiced by Peter Sarsgaard.
Robot & Frank is a buddy caper. Set in the near future, ageing curmudgeon and retired jewel thief Frank (Frank Langella) lives a solitary life until his son (James Marsden) installs a caretaker robot,...
- 2/5/2013
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Rufus Norris's directorial debut also won best film and best supporting actor for performance by Rory Kinnear
Family drama Broken, the feature-film debut from award-winning theatre and opera director Rufus Norris, has been named best film of 2012 at the British independent film awards.
Starring Tim Roth as a father looking after an 11-year-old daughter (newcomer Eloise Laurence) after his wife leaves him, the film also won best supporting actor for Rory Kinnear. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw criticised the film as "strained, desperately self-conscious and replete with unconvincing and unearned emotional crises" at Cannes in May but praised Laurence for her turn as the likeable Skunk.
The other big winner at the Bifas was Peter Strickland's period psychological thriller Berberian Sound Studio, which won best director, best actor (for Toby Jones), best achievement in production and best technical achievement for Joakim Sundström and Stevie Haywood's sound design. The...
Family drama Broken, the feature-film debut from award-winning theatre and opera director Rufus Norris, has been named best film of 2012 at the British independent film awards.
Starring Tim Roth as a father looking after an 11-year-old daughter (newcomer Eloise Laurence) after his wife leaves him, the film also won best supporting actor for Rory Kinnear. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw criticised the film as "strained, desperately self-conscious and replete with unconvincing and unearned emotional crises" at Cannes in May but praised Laurence for her turn as the likeable Skunk.
The other big winner at the Bifas was Peter Strickland's period psychological thriller Berberian Sound Studio, which won best director, best actor (for Toby Jones), best achievement in production and best technical achievement for Joakim Sundström and Stevie Haywood's sound design. The...
- 12/11/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
The stars turned out in force last night for the 15th Moët British Independent Film Awards at Old Billingsgate in London.
Last night's glittering event was a who's who of British cinema and was hosted by actor James Nesbitt fresh off the set of The Hobbit.
Attending the star-studded event was Jude Law who received the Variety Award, and acting legend Michael Gambon who won the coveted Richard Harris Award.
Other guests included Terence Stamp, Billy Connolly, Tom Hiddleston, Terry Gilliam, Peter Capaldi, Olivia Coleman, Idris Elba, John Hurt, Tom Felton, Andrea Riseborough, Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, Felicity Jones, Holliday Grainger, Edith Bowman and Noomi Rapace.
Past nominees, patrons and supporters of Bifa celebrated the 15th birthday of the awards by posing for a group picture (see above) taken by official photographer Idil Sukan.
Berberian Sound Studio triumphed at the British Independent Film Awards, picking up four trophies for Best Director,...
Last night's glittering event was a who's who of British cinema and was hosted by actor James Nesbitt fresh off the set of The Hobbit.
Attending the star-studded event was Jude Law who received the Variety Award, and acting legend Michael Gambon who won the coveted Richard Harris Award.
Other guests included Terence Stamp, Billy Connolly, Tom Hiddleston, Terry Gilliam, Peter Capaldi, Olivia Coleman, Idris Elba, John Hurt, Tom Felton, Andrea Riseborough, Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, Felicity Jones, Holliday Grainger, Edith Bowman and Noomi Rapace.
Past nominees, patrons and supporters of Bifa celebrated the 15th birthday of the awards by posing for a group picture (see above) taken by official photographer Idil Sukan.
Berberian Sound Studio triumphed at the British Independent Film Awards, picking up four trophies for Best Director,...
- 12/10/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Last night the fifteenth British Independent Film Awards were held in London and we were on hand to interview the nominees, awards presenters and the winners on a fantastic night celebrating the best of British independent film.
Among the winners we spoke to was this year’s recipient of the Richard Harris award, Sir Michael Gambon, Variety award winner Jude Law and Peter Strickland, director of Berberian Sound Studio which took away many of the night’s awards.
We also spoke to the rising stars of the British independent scene. We caught up with the winner of the Best Newcomer Award for his work in the powerful coming of age film My Brother The Devil, James Floyd, as well as Andrea Riseborough who won her Best Actress award for Shadow Dancer.
Other interviews we conducted include those with Harry Treadaway, Peter Capaldi, award winner (the always lovely) Olivia Colman, Holliday Grainger & James Norton,...
Among the winners we spoke to was this year’s recipient of the Richard Harris award, Sir Michael Gambon, Variety award winner Jude Law and Peter Strickland, director of Berberian Sound Studio which took away many of the night’s awards.
We also spoke to the rising stars of the British independent scene. We caught up with the winner of the Best Newcomer Award for his work in the powerful coming of age film My Brother The Devil, James Floyd, as well as Andrea Riseborough who won her Best Actress award for Shadow Dancer.
Other interviews we conducted include those with Harry Treadaway, Peter Capaldi, award winner (the always lovely) Olivia Colman, Holliday Grainger & James Norton,...
- 12/10/2012
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This evening myself and Stefan Pape were privileged to spend time in the company of dozens of Britain’s best movie stars and celebrities at the 2012. Last year was one of my favourite evening’s and we managed to conduct over 55 interviews! This year we’ve broken the record and managed to chat with nearly 60 people.
Below are all the interviews we conducted from the evening including interviews with the likes of Billy Connolly, Jude Law, Ben Wheatley, James Nebitt, Paul Andrew Williams to name but a few. As well as the red carpet, we also caught up with the winners and award presenters which will appear in a separate post so look out for that.
The full list of interviews includes:
James Nesbitt, Elliot Grove, Eileen Davies, Eloise Laurence, Felicity Jones, Jared Harris, Claire Jones, Ben Wheatley, James Floyd, Paul Andrew Williams, Tom Cullen, Alice Englert, Billy Connolly, Elliott Tittensor,...
Below are all the interviews we conducted from the evening including interviews with the likes of Billy Connolly, Jude Law, Ben Wheatley, James Nebitt, Paul Andrew Williams to name but a few. As well as the red carpet, we also caught up with the winners and award presenters which will appear in a separate post so look out for that.
The full list of interviews includes:
James Nesbitt, Elliot Grove, Eileen Davies, Eloise Laurence, Felicity Jones, Jared Harris, Claire Jones, Ben Wheatley, James Floyd, Paul Andrew Williams, Tom Cullen, Alice Englert, Billy Connolly, Elliott Tittensor,...
- 12/10/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Back in August, we got a taste of a new indie that premiere at Cannes when the trailer for Broken showed up. At the time, the film only had an official release in France, but now it has a release window in the United Kingdom soon. Thankfully that news comes with an all-new knew trailer that shows off some promising performances from Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy. However, the real spotlight should be on newcomer Eloise Laurence who looks to give quite a powerful performance judging by this trailer. Hopefully this film makes it sway to the United States sometime next year, but for now, enjoy the new trailer. Watch now! Here's the newest trailer for Rufus Norris' Broken, originally from Empire: The story, based on English author Daniel Clay's novel (which was inspired by Harper Lee's classic "To Kill a Mockingbird"), revolves around a young girl...
- 11/19/2012
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Adapted from a novel by Daniel Clay, Broken promises to mirror the raw suburban melodrama of its source. Debut director Rufus Norris has assembled a strong cast, Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy included, in a story that pulls up in a seemingly serene British cul-de-sac and, as this world exclusive new trailer hints, quickly starts uncovering some dark truths. brightcove.createExperiences();The film takes its title from the character of Rick 'Broken' Buckley (Robert Emms), a 19 year-old seen on the receiving end of a brutal beating from neighbour Mr. Oswald (Rory Kinnear) after a false accusation by his daughter.Rick's struggles and Oswald's thuggery are contrasted with Tim Roth's lawyer next door and his 11 year-old daughter Skunk (Eloise Laurence), although as you can probably tell from the trailer, not all's well in their house either. Stella Street this ain't. With nine Bifa nominations (more than any other...
- 11/19/2012
- EmpireOnline
The nominations for the 15th annual Moët British Independent Film Awards have been unveiled in London.
They were announced by patron Adrian Lester (above), the Birmingham-born actor whose credits include The Day After Tomorrow and TV series Being Human, Bonekickers, Merlin and Hustle.
In a statement, joint directors of the awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: "In this our 15th year, we are delighted to welcome back six-time former host James Nesbitt.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated Pre-Selection Committee who watched over 200 films in order to produce the 2012 nominations, which once again reflect the diverse range of British film talent, and also welcome this year's appointed independent jury who will now spend the next month considering the nominated films."
The highest number of nominations this year goes to Broken with 9 nominations including Best Film, Best Director and Best Debut Director for Rufus Norris,...
They were announced by patron Adrian Lester (above), the Birmingham-born actor whose credits include The Day After Tomorrow and TV series Being Human, Bonekickers, Merlin and Hustle.
In a statement, joint directors of the awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: "In this our 15th year, we are delighted to welcome back six-time former host James Nesbitt.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated Pre-Selection Committee who watched over 200 films in order to produce the 2012 nominations, which once again reflect the diverse range of British film talent, and also welcome this year's appointed independent jury who will now spend the next month considering the nominated films."
The highest number of nominations this year goes to Broken with 9 nominations including Best Film, Best Director and Best Debut Director for Rufus Norris,...
- 11/6/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Rufus Norris's drama about an 11-year-old diabetic leads the pack in a year otherwise devoted to honouring older stars
Broken, the feature-film debut of award-winning theatre and opera director Rufus Norris, has emerged as the surprise frontrunner at this year's Bifas, the British independent film awards, with nine nominations. This year's judges have also doffed their caps to the elder generation of British acting talent, with Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Maggie Smith and Terence Stamp among the notable nominees.
A coming-of-age drama, adapted from Daniel Clay's 2008 novel, about a young girl living in a British suburb, which premiered to mixed reviews at the Cannes film festival in May but went on to win the Golden Eye award for best international film at the Zurich film festival, Broken stars Eloise Laurence as 11-year-old diabetic Skunk, along with Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy and Roy Kinnear. Critics have praised its acting...
Broken, the feature-film debut of award-winning theatre and opera director Rufus Norris, has emerged as the surprise frontrunner at this year's Bifas, the British independent film awards, with nine nominations. This year's judges have also doffed their caps to the elder generation of British acting talent, with Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Maggie Smith and Terence Stamp among the notable nominees.
A coming-of-age drama, adapted from Daniel Clay's 2008 novel, about a young girl living in a British suburb, which premiered to mixed reviews at the Cannes film festival in May but went on to win the Golden Eye award for best international film at the Zurich film festival, Broken stars Eloise Laurence as 11-year-old diabetic Skunk, along with Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy and Roy Kinnear. Critics have praised its acting...
- 11/6/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Celebrating its fifteenth year, The Moët British Independent Film Awards have now been announced, honouring some of the finest independent films released in Britain this year.
This year’s awards will be held on 9th December, and you can be sure we’ll be bringing you the results on the night as they come in. It’s been another excellent year for British cinema, and it’s always nice to see films like these get the recognition they deserve.
Last year, Paddy Considine’s powerful directorial debut, Tyrannosaur, swept the top awards, taking Best Film, Best Directorial Debut, and Best Actress; Lynne Ramsay took home the Best Director award for We Need to Talk About Kevin; and Michael Fassbender’s remarkable performance in Steve McQueen’s Shame was rightfully honoured with Best Actor (whereas the film was sadly absent from the Oscars at the start of the year).
James Nesbitt...
This year’s awards will be held on 9th December, and you can be sure we’ll be bringing you the results on the night as they come in. It’s been another excellent year for British cinema, and it’s always nice to see films like these get the recognition they deserve.
Last year, Paddy Considine’s powerful directorial debut, Tyrannosaur, swept the top awards, taking Best Film, Best Directorial Debut, and Best Actress; Lynne Ramsay took home the Best Director award for We Need to Talk About Kevin; and Michael Fassbender’s remarkable performance in Steve McQueen’s Shame was rightfully honoured with Best Actor (whereas the film was sadly absent from the Oscars at the start of the year).
James Nesbitt...
- 11/5/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
London - Rufus Norris' Broken, starring Cillian Murphy and Tim Roth, leads this year's British Independent Film Awards nominations. The drama earned nine nominations. Norris finds himself nominated in the best debut director and best director categories, while Roth is nominated in the best actor race. Both Murphy and Rory Kinnear earned nominations in the best supporting actor category. The film also picked up a best British film nomination, a best screenplay tilt for scribe Mark O'Rowe, who adapted it from Daniel Clay's novel, a nomination in the "most promising newcomer" category for Eloise Laurence and a best technical achievement nomination
read more...
read more...
- 11/5/2012
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Broken - the debut drama by theatre director Rufus Norris - is leading the prize hunt at this years British Independent Film Awards, with nine nominations.
The drama, described by distributor Studiocanal as "A powerful, captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms: idealised, unrequited, unwanted, and - ultimately - unconditional.", has been nominated for best film and director, with actors Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy and Rory Kinnear picking up acting nods and its young star Eloise Laurence vying for attention in the newcomer category.
Ben Wheatley's black comedy Sightseers and Peter Strickland's horror Berberian Sound Studio picked up seven nominations each, including best film and best director, with those categories rounded out by Brits abroad drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and documentary The Imposter.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on December 9, in London.
Joint Directors of the BIFAs Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said:.
The drama, described by distributor Studiocanal as "A powerful, captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms: idealised, unrequited, unwanted, and - ultimately - unconditional.", has been nominated for best film and director, with actors Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy and Rory Kinnear picking up acting nods and its young star Eloise Laurence vying for attention in the newcomer category.
Ben Wheatley's black comedy Sightseers and Peter Strickland's horror Berberian Sound Studio picked up seven nominations each, including best film and best director, with those categories rounded out by Brits abroad drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and documentary The Imposter.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on December 9, in London.
Joint Directors of the BIFAs Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said:.
- 11/5/2012
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
As the 56th London Film Festival neared its close, the awards ceremony kicked off with our man London Film Fanatiq in the house for Blogomatic3000. The red carpet saw many representatives of this year’s nominees greet the crowds and discuss their work with the press. Several jury members, including Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman also came out to pay tribute to the talent behind some of the festival’s finest features.
Check out all the red carpet pictures from the event and a full list of winners below:
Best Film Award
Rust and Bone, Jacques Audiard, France/Belgium After Lucia, Michel Franco, Mexico End of Watch, David Ayer, USA Everyday, Michael Winterbottom, UK Fill The Void, Rama Burshtein, Israel Ginger and Rosa, Sally Potter, UK In the House, François Ozon, France It Was The Son, Daniele Ciprì, Italy/France Lore, Cate Shortland, Germany/Australia/UK Midnight’s Children, Deepa Mehta,...
Check out all the red carpet pictures from the event and a full list of winners below:
Best Film Award
Rust and Bone, Jacques Audiard, France/Belgium After Lucia, Michel Franco, Mexico End of Watch, David Ayer, USA Everyday, Michael Winterbottom, UK Fill The Void, Rama Burshtein, Israel Ginger and Rosa, Sally Potter, UK In the House, François Ozon, France It Was The Son, Daniele Ciprì, Italy/France Lore, Cate Shortland, Germany/Australia/UK Midnight’s Children, Deepa Mehta,...
- 10/21/2012
- by Guest
- Nerdly
The capital has been the home of some of the biggest names and films in the industry over the past ten days, and with the festival finally coming to a close tomorrow, the results are in for the official competition categories.
Sir David Hare, Tom Hiddleston, David Yates, Sebastian Faulks, Olivia Colman, Kazuo Ishiguru, and many more prominent names presided over the various Juries, and with so much talent this year, I don’t envy what must have been very difficult decisions.
Also being honoured this year are Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, both of whom have been presented with the BFI Fellowship, the highest honour from the film institute. The former brought his latest feature, Frankenweenie, to the festival for its opening night, whilst the latter stars in Mike Newell’s Great Expectations, bookending the festival nicely as the Closing Night Film.
With the festival now coming to an end tomorrow,...
Sir David Hare, Tom Hiddleston, David Yates, Sebastian Faulks, Olivia Colman, Kazuo Ishiguru, and many more prominent names presided over the various Juries, and with so much talent this year, I don’t envy what must have been very difficult decisions.
Also being honoured this year are Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, both of whom have been presented with the BFI Fellowship, the highest honour from the film institute. The former brought his latest feature, Frankenweenie, to the festival for its opening night, whilst the latter stars in Mike Newell’s Great Expectations, bookending the festival nicely as the Closing Night Film.
With the festival now coming to an end tomorrow,...
- 10/20/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Best film award goes to Jacques Audiard production while Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter are made BFI fellows
Rust and Bone, the dramatic and gruelling love story starring the Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard, has won the best film prize at the London film festival. The French-Belgian production, directed by Jacques Audiard, is the first to be honoured with the top award at a ceremony revamped this year as a more fitting finale for the annual festival.
Audiard's victory was announced by Sir David Hare, president of the competition jury, who said Audiard "has a unique handwriting, made up of music, montage, writing, photography, sound, visual design and acting. He is one of only a very small handful of film-makers in the world who has mastered, and can integrate, every element of the process to one purpose, making in Rust and Bone a film full of heart, violence and love.
Rust and Bone, the dramatic and gruelling love story starring the Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard, has won the best film prize at the London film festival. The French-Belgian production, directed by Jacques Audiard, is the first to be honoured with the top award at a ceremony revamped this year as a more fitting finale for the annual festival.
Audiard's victory was announced by Sir David Hare, president of the competition jury, who said Audiard "has a unique handwriting, made up of music, montage, writing, photography, sound, visual design and acting. He is one of only a very small handful of film-makers in the world who has mastered, and can integrate, every element of the process to one purpose, making in Rust and Bone a film full of heart, violence and love.
- 10/20/2012
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
★★★☆☆ Rufus Norris' debut feature Broken (2012), an adaptation of the Daniel Clay novel of the same name, presents a portrait of three families living in a British cul-de-sac as seen from the point of view of a young girl, Skunk (Eloise Laurence). British actor Tim Roth heads up the first family as Skunk's father Archie, a gently-mannered attorney single-handedly bringing up his daughter and son Jed (Bill Milner) with help from the Polish au pair Kasia (Zana Marjanovic).
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 10/14/2012
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
The BFI London Film Festival officially opened last night with the UK premiere of Tim Burton’s latest feature, Frankenweenie, a black and white stop-motion film destined to become something of a cult classic.
With the festival now underway, the juries for the separate categories in competition have been announced, with Sir David Hare, Tom Hiddleston, David Yates, and Olivia Colman leading an impressive line-up to judge the contenders.
Also celebrated at this year’s festival will be Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, both of whom are being presented with the BFI’s highest honour, the BFI Fellowship.
You can read the full list of jurors in the official announcement below, but here’s a run-down of the main categories and the films in competition.
Sir David Hare leads the jury for the Best Film Award, for which the following are competing:
After Lucia, Michel Franco, Mexico End of Watch,...
With the festival now underway, the juries for the separate categories in competition have been announced, with Sir David Hare, Tom Hiddleston, David Yates, and Olivia Colman leading an impressive line-up to judge the contenders.
Also celebrated at this year’s festival will be Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, both of whom are being presented with the BFI’s highest honour, the BFI Fellowship.
You can read the full list of jurors in the official announcement below, but here’s a run-down of the main categories and the films in competition.
Sir David Hare leads the jury for the Best Film Award, for which the following are competing:
After Lucia, Michel Franco, Mexico End of Watch,...
- 10/11/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Rufus Norris' "Broken," the opening-night film of the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics' Week, has been acquired for U.S. distribution by Film Movement. The film is slated for a theatrical release in early 2013 in addition to a cable VOD premiere. The film is an adaptation of Daniel Clay's novel of the same name, an intimate, coming-of-age story about an 11-year-old British girl named Skunk whose innocence is shattered after she witnesses the brutal beating of a psychologically troubled boy by one of her grown neighbors. Skunk is played by newcomer Eloise Laurence, who stars with Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy. Read More: Film Movement Acquires Elie Wajeman's Cannes Drama 'Alyah' “Rufus Norris' intricately structured and emotionally powerful feature moved us to tears,” said Film Movement president Adley Gartenstein, who negotiated the deal with Carole Baraton of Wild Bunch. “As always, it's a pleasure to.
- 9/28/2012
- by Claire Easton
- Indiewire
Mental disability, divorce, first boyfriends, teen pregnancy, bullying....yes, there is a lot going on in "Broken." And while the first trailer for the film does at least highlight the strong performances from the cast, it's too bad it's in service of a picture that doesn't quite do their work justice. Directed by Rufus Norris, and based on the novel by Mark O'Rowe, the story centers on 11-year-old diabetic Skunk (Eloise Laurence) who is facing a lot of changes in her life. Her stepmom, Kasia (Zana Marjanovic), is dating Mike (Cillian Murphy) who also happens to be Skunk's schoolteacher, though her father Archie (Tim Roth) still stops by almost every night. Skunk is starting a relationship with her first boyfriend, is being threatened by a mean-spirited neighbor, and there is even more drama happening outside her orbit, with a few plot threads that will wind up connecting in the end.
- 8/14/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Although he was part of the Cannes jury this year, Pulp Fiction star Tim Roth also led a drama that debuted during the Critics’ Week section. From first-time director Rufus Norris, Broken is a coming-of-age tale following a north London girl (Eloise Laurence) whose life is surrounded by violence in the neighborhood.
Written by Mark O’Rowe (Boy A), who re-teams with Inception and Sunshine star Cillian Murphy after the overlooked Perrier’s Bounty, the first international trailer is actually quite promising. Although the film seemed to get overlook during the busy, packed festival this spring, I’d be interested in checking out what looks to be a cross between Fish Tank and last year’s Tyrannosaur, or even Neds. See the trailer below thanks to First Showing.
Broken hits theaters in France this month with no Us distribution yet.
Written by Mark O’Rowe (Boy A), who re-teams with Inception and Sunshine star Cillian Murphy after the overlooked Perrier’s Bounty, the first international trailer is actually quite promising. Although the film seemed to get overlook during the busy, packed festival this spring, I’d be interested in checking out what looks to be a cross between Fish Tank and last year’s Tyrannosaur, or even Neds. See the trailer below thanks to First Showing.
Broken hits theaters in France this month with no Us distribution yet.
- 8/13/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
"Everything always goes wrong...! Why do only bad things happen?" Today's worth watching trailer is a British coming-of-age drama called Broken, starring the esteemed actors Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy with Rory Kinnear and Zana Marjanovic, but they're not actually the main focus of this film. Broken is the story of a young girl, played by newcomer Eloise Laurence, in North London whose life changes after witnessing a violent attack. The trailer lays out most of the story and world in which this occurs. It gets a bit odd when a car drops in the background, plus the guy dancing in the parking lot, but it doesn't look too bad. Watch the first international trailer for Rufus Norris' Broken, on YouTube found via TheMovieBox: The story, based on English author Daniel Clay's novel (which was inspired by Harper Lee's classic "To Kill a Mockingbird"), revolves around a...
- 8/12/2012
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"As they cheered and hooted, they were far more confident than the film actors on display, who seemed ill at ease when they stepped from their cars, like celebrity criminals ferried to a mass trial by jury at the Palais, a full-scale cultural Nuremberg furnished with film clips of the atrocities they had helped to commit."
—Jg Ballard in Super Cannes
Cannes: stronghold of the xenophobic right all year long, kind host of the clergy of world cinema for a few glamorous days—the devastating crisis dismembering the Old Continent is only a faint ghost on the Croisette. While working conditions descend into slavery, the festival poster, with its sacrificial lamb on the altar of Hollywood, reminds us that time is ripe for celebration. So let us celebrate the casualties of financial terrorism with a bucolic piece of antiquarian filmmaking, a sweet pill of cinematic escapism: Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
—Jg Ballard in Super Cannes
Cannes: stronghold of the xenophobic right all year long, kind host of the clergy of world cinema for a few glamorous days—the devastating crisis dismembering the Old Continent is only a faint ghost on the Croisette. While working conditions descend into slavery, the festival poster, with its sacrificial lamb on the altar of Hollywood, reminds us that time is ripe for celebration. So let us celebrate the casualties of financial terrorism with a bucolic piece of antiquarian filmmaking, a sweet pill of cinematic escapism: Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
- 5/31/2012
- MUBI
He made his name playing criminals and low-lifes – now Tim Roth is back as the nicest father in town. Catherine Shoard meets him in Cannes to talk films, politics and bringing up his own teenagers
When Clarice Starling is first assigned to interview Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, we are told, in Thomas Harris's novel, that "a brief silence follows the name, always, in any civilised gathering". Something similar happens when you say you're off to interview Tim Roth. A light gasp, a small step back. Roth – who was set to play the younger Lecter in 2002's Red Dragon, until Anthony Hopkins dyed his hair and reprised the role – has a reputation for being slippery. He just doesn't give, I'm told. Meet him in California, people caution, and he clams up. Get an audience in London and he is prickly, defensive.
So why is it that in Cannes,...
When Clarice Starling is first assigned to interview Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, we are told, in Thomas Harris's novel, that "a brief silence follows the name, always, in any civilised gathering". Something similar happens when you say you're off to interview Tim Roth. A light gasp, a small step back. Roth – who was set to play the younger Lecter in 2002's Red Dragon, until Anthony Hopkins dyed his hair and reprised the role – has a reputation for being slippery. He just doesn't give, I'm told. Meet him in California, people caution, and he clams up. Get an audience in London and he is prickly, defensive.
So why is it that in Cannes,...
- 5/20/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Of the 22 films in contention for the prestigious Palme d'Or, not one has a female director. And while women's lives are getting more attention on screen, the struggle to break in to the rough and tough old boys' club of directing appears as hard as ever
Cannes' fabled Croisette promenade was dotted with the customary festival starlets in high heels and glamorous dresses yesterday afternoon.
But just behind them, a feminist uprising of sorts was in full swing. Inside a landmark hotel on the seafront strip in the South of France, loud calls for positive discrimination in favour of women's films were being voiced. The impact of British director Andrea Arnold's public anger about the failure to include a female director in the prestigious Palme D'Or line-up continues to stir controversy at the annual celebration of world cinema.
Speakers at a Beyond Borders diversity symposium echoed Arnold's complaint that...
Cannes' fabled Croisette promenade was dotted with the customary festival starlets in high heels and glamorous dresses yesterday afternoon.
But just behind them, a feminist uprising of sorts was in full swing. Inside a landmark hotel on the seafront strip in the South of France, loud calls for positive discrimination in favour of women's films were being voiced. The impact of British director Andrea Arnold's public anger about the failure to include a female director in the prestigious Palme D'Or line-up continues to stir controversy at the annual celebration of world cinema.
Speakers at a Beyond Borders diversity symposium echoed Arnold's complaint that...
- 5/19/2012
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
Rufus Norris's drama of dysfunction and pain is often strained and self-conscious, but newcomer Eloise Laurence is a real find
There are some good ideas, strong moments and a blue-chip cast in Broken, the feature-film debut from award-winning theatre and opera director Rufus Norris. But they somehow don't come together successfully in this drama of dysfunction and pain, which too often looks strained, desperately self-conscious and replete with unconvincing and unearned emotional crises.
The star is newcomer Eloise Laurence, playing an artless, intelligent and likable 11-year-old girl called Skunk. She is the movie's real find, a natural screen performer. Skunk is the daughter of Archie (Tim Roth), whose wife has left him. He is developing feelings for his child minder, Kasia (Zana Marjanovic), whose boyfriend Mike (Cillian Murphy) is one of Skunk's teachers. They live in a suburban close which is turning into an emotional minefield because of the resident problem family.
There are some good ideas, strong moments and a blue-chip cast in Broken, the feature-film debut from award-winning theatre and opera director Rufus Norris. But they somehow don't come together successfully in this drama of dysfunction and pain, which too often looks strained, desperately self-conscious and replete with unconvincing and unearned emotional crises.
The star is newcomer Eloise Laurence, playing an artless, intelligent and likable 11-year-old girl called Skunk. She is the movie's real find, a natural screen performer. Skunk is the daughter of Archie (Tim Roth), whose wife has left him. He is developing feelings for his child minder, Kasia (Zana Marjanovic), whose boyfriend Mike (Cillian Murphy) is one of Skunk's teachers. They live in a suburban close which is turning into an emotional minefield because of the resident problem family.
- 5/18/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
There is a difference between a kitchen sink drama and a drama that includes everything but the kitchen sink, and unfortunately for "Broken," it's more of the latter than the former. Marking the feature debut by theater director Rufus Norris and with Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy and Rory Kinnear among the ensemble, this is the kind of movie that mistakes adding a new plot twist every fifteen minutes for narrative momentum and drama.
The story revolves around three families who occupy a cul-de-sac that could be Anywhere In England. In one house we have the young 11 year-old diabetic Skunk (Eloise Laurence) who lives with her brother Jed (Bill Milner) and her stepmom Kasia (Zana Marjanovic), who is dating Mike (Murphy). But stopping by most evenings is Archie (Roth), who maintains a close relationship with his ex, Kasia. Why this familial relationship needs to be this complicated is not quite clear.
The story revolves around three families who occupy a cul-de-sac that could be Anywhere In England. In one house we have the young 11 year-old diabetic Skunk (Eloise Laurence) who lives with her brother Jed (Bill Milner) and her stepmom Kasia (Zana Marjanovic), who is dating Mike (Murphy). But stopping by most evenings is Archie (Roth), who maintains a close relationship with his ex, Kasia. Why this familial relationship needs to be this complicated is not quite clear.
- 5/18/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.