The Ritzy Cinema is hosting part of the London Film Festival, screening 30 acclaimed films from new and established directors throughout October. Here’s our list of top picks – from hip-hop doc to classic horror, we’ve selected six films which any Brixton film-lover should watch out for.
Nas: Time is Illmatic – find out more about the man behind one of the seminal hip hop records of the ‘90s in this stylish documentary. Listening to Nas’ debut Illmatic is described as “like living a hustler’s life through poetry.” This film examines the social context and genesis of the album, from the hard-knock life of the notorious Queensbridge projects in New York where a young Nas started out to his current status as visionary MC.
Dukhtar – tense escape thriller set in Pakistan’s northern mountains. When a 10-year-old girl is promised as a wife to an aged tribal leader by her father, her mother takes the dangerous decision to flee down the mountainside with her. Against a beautifully photographed rural backdrop, the two women run from a group of violent men bent on vengeance in a film that explores the plight of child brides.
Hard to Get – sexy, brutal action thriller set in the sweaty knife-edge world of Johannesburg’s criminal underworld. Handsome gigolo TK tries to keep pace with femme fatale Skiets as she leads him on an adventure into a dangerous world of gangsters and crooks. With film-noir overtones, Hard to Get promises have you on the edge of your seat throughout as it races from one action set-piece to another.
Honeytrap – Set in Brixton, directed by a local resident, Honeytrap tells the story of Layla, a 15-year-old Trinidadian who seeks acceptance by leading a boy to his murder at the hands of her jealous lover. Read our interview with the director to find out more.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre – say hello to Leatherface again! Relive the horror on the 40th anniversary of this ‘70s cult classic. Digitally remastered to capture every last bone fragment and blood spatter, fans can bask in the full gory glory of a film which not only terrified audiences but also subverted and refreshed the horror genre, paving the way for hordes of subsequent ‘slasher’ flicks.
Second Coming – leftfield family drama set in London starring Idris Elba and Lambethan Nadine Marshall. Jackie is pregnant, much to the surprise of her husband and son, but insists that she hasn’t slept with anyone. The film follows the family as they try to come to terms with an unexplained pregnancy in this critically-acclaimed directorial debut from Debbie Tucker Green.
Book yourself in by calling the London Film Festival booking line on 020 7928 3232 or by visiting www.bfi.org.uk/lff
