Started by creative director Xanthe Hamilton in 2008, the Branchage International Film Festival returns this September to showcase films, live soundtracks and artistic performances across various venues along the coastlines of Jersey in the Channel Islands. The festival both engages local audiences and attracts those from further afield with its unique set up, elaborate parties and unusual filmic experiences.
An eclectic range of films is on offer from 22nd – 25th September. Inside Job, winner of the Oscar for Best Documentary follows the recent financial meltdown, shocking audiences with its candid insight into what brought about an economic crisis. As a contrast why not try Le Quattro Volte, a Cannes 2010 winner, tracing the life cycle of a Calabrian valley. With its understated humour and rural theme, Michelangelo Frammartino’s goat populated drama is to be screened in the complementary Jersey countryside.
Venues are an important part of the festival as a whole. The films are therefore to be screened in locations appropriate to their themes. Atmosphere is everything for Xavier Beauvois’ stunning masterpiece Of Gods and Men, to be screened in a French Catholic Church. As a product of a year spent with an army platoon in Afghanistan, Sebastian Junger and the late Tim Hetherington’s provocative documentary Restrepo, tracking the struggle against the Taliban in the Korengal Valley, is to be screened in the Le Quesne Barracks, the home of the Jersey Field Squadron. Films are even set to be shown in music shops, with one of Jersey’s independent record emporiums playing host to Jeanie Finlay’s portrait of the last vinyl shop in Teesside. The festival prides itself on its individuality in making film watching a true experience by giving each picture its own distinctive moment.
Alongside the films, there will also be live soundtracks on offer. Closing the festival will be Simon Turner Fisher, performing his soundtrack to The Great White Silence, the thought provoking 1924 Herbert Ponting footage of Captain Scott’s last expedition to the Antarctic. A multi-screen film installation will also be featured in the festival with music provided by folk artists This is the Kit.
Plenty of other films and special events are on offer over the festival weekend and with award winning artists, TV personalities and a wide range of things to see and do Branchage is set to be the ideal festival destination.
For more information on the festival visit: http://www.branchagefestival.com/
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