International Film Festival Lineup Announced

BIFF announced the lineup for the 19th annual Bermuda International Film Festival set to be held next month [March 4-11], saying they have “carefully curated a programme of feature-length and short films, which will be screened at City Hall, the festival’s new venue for 2016.”

“To mark BIFF’s move to the City, the defining narrative thread of “Cityscapes and Dreamscapes” runs through the film programme this year. Urban backdrops from around the world contrast with more abstract landscapes to achieve true diversity and something for all tastes within the film selection,” BIFF said.

BIFF 2016 opens with the satirical French comedy, Lolo, which premiered at Venice International Film Festival last summer.

A 40-year-old workaholic falls for a provincial computer geek while on a spa retreat with her best friend, but he must win the trust and respect of her teenage son for their fledgling relationship to survive – and it transpires that is no easy task.

Lolo trailer

As ever the backbone of the festival is the celebrated World Cinema lineup, this year bringing features from France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Palestine, USA and the UK.

They include the subversive drama Carol, which is nominated for six Oscars this year. Carol stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara and is produced by Christine Vachon, who chaired the BIFF 2015 jury and will be returning to present a workshop at this year’s festival.

Other World Cinema highlights include Dheepan, the story of a Tamil freedom fighter which took the prestigious Palm d’Or award at Cannes in 2015.

BIFF will also be screening Where to Invade Next, the latest documentary from Academy Award winning director Michael Moore [Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine].

Where to Invade Next trailer

Two of the features explore the word of performing arts. Firstly fictional piece, The Idol, inspired by a true story, follows a young contestant from Gaza into the final round of ‘Arab Idol’.

Then attendees can view R&B queen Sharon Jones over the course of a personally difficult year through the lens of two-time Academy Award winning director Barbara Kopple.

BIFF 2016 attendees will also be treated to Bolshoi Babylon, a documentary granted unprecedented backstage access to the world-famous Russian theatre; while another documentary, The Fear of 13, will take audiences onto Death Row to hear the confessions and musings of convicted murderer, Nick Yarris.

Rich European drama, Louder Than Bombs; frenetic Spanish comedy, My Big Night; and Scottish epic romance, Sunset Song, complete the World Cinema lineup.

Bolshoi Babylon trailer

“These offerings from afar are complemented by our usual showcase of talent found closer to home in our From the Onion Patch segment,”BIFF added.

“Remarkable documentary Respice Finem: The History of The Berkeley Institute, directed by Karli J Powell, Kara Smith and Lucinda Spurling, explores the history of this distinct presence in Bermuda’s education system.

“BIFF will also be screening the latest short film from Bermudian Director Marq Rodriguez entitled Confessions:Complexions. The project follows two step sisters in their pursuit of beauty.

“As BIFF is one of only a small number of Academy Award Qualifying festivals for the Short Film – Live Action Oscar, there will once again be an engaging selection of high quality short films from all around the world. Around 20 entries will screen in competition at BIFF 2016 for the coveted Jury Prize.”

The French drama Marguerite will close the festival this year. Set in the roaring twenties, it tells the story of socialite and aspiring opera singer Marguerite Dumont, whose singing voice does not have the qualities required to follow such dreams. Marguerite received an audience award at Venice Film Festival where it premiered.

Marguerite trailer

The box office will open later this month, when the full programme and more detailed synopses will be made available at www.biff.bm.

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