Back at full capacity, and in an earlier time slot in the year than usual, Nottingham International Film Festival returned to take over Savoy Cinema and Nottingham Contemporary. We sent Kieran Burt over to check out some of the highlights...
The Nottingham International Film Festival returned for its seventh outing this April, showcasing a range of feature films, short films, and a range of both personal and large-scale documentaries.
Relationships were the central theme of the opening night, with five shorts examining our connections to our smartphones, to how we grieve for our loved ones, and how new couples can push the boundaries of their relationships. Feature film The Road Dance, with its amazing cast, tells a tale marked by tragedy, but with eventual triumph - as a young girl in the Outer Hebrides meets the love of her life.
The stand-out short of the first night was Roy. Starring David Bradley as an old man desperate for some company, he finds it in the most unlikely place. Accidentally calling an adult hotline, he bonds with one of the workers, Cara. Their deep dialogue shows that they both need companionship, not just Roy. Its bittersweet ending leaves audiences hopeful for the future of the pair.
The documentaries offer both personal tales and larger issues, giving a huge variety in the stories on offer
The second and third day expanded the reach of the festival, with short films and documentaries being moved to the Nottingham Contemporary, to allow feature films to be played at the Savoy. This expansion speaks to the popularity of the event, and the incredible talent of not only the filmmakers and the actors, but also the organisational talent behind the festival, managing two locations that are some distance from each other.
One particularly noteworthy short from the final two days was the comedy DCSS. Director Niel Bushnell takes the class culture present in the UK and makes a delightful comedy about it, transforming the phenomena into a tangible, bureaucratic Department - headed up by Hal Branson, who elevates his lines with a truly intimate performance.
The documentaries offer both personal tales and explore larger issues, giving a huge variety in the stories on offer. While there is a large focus on sport - stories about surfing appear twice - they are a great showcase of the global talent present at the festival, and dive into areas that are beyond the UK. For example, the documentary Mimmo focuses on a small Italian village and their fight to save a refugee project. Charlie Surfer is also a stand-out documentary from Norway about a boy with Asperger’s Syndrome and how he uses surfing to cope. The crowd gave the strongest reaction to this short, showing great appreciation throughout its runtime.
Overall, the festival once again highlights the talent present not just locally but internationally. Many strong films were shown and the expansion of the festival allows for more talent to be showcased. We can't wait for the next one.
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