London Diary - Cinema
One of the main reasons I visited London last week was to see Blade Runner - The Final Cut on the big screen. A few months ago, BFI announced it will release the film across the UK and I told myself I must book a trip to London in April.
For me, London is always worth visiting because there are so many things on their arts and culture calendar. But during this trip, I ended up spending more time inside a cinema than gallery hopping. There were so many films I wanted to see, so I ended up watching a film or two everyday I was there. I watched a few with friends, but I also enjoyed some me time inside a cinema.
I just wish there was half the option of films shown in London can be screened in Dubai, it would make me go to the cinemas in Dubai more often. Nothing beats watching a film in a cinema. Nothing.
What I watched and where:
This was my first time at Barbican's cinema. I usually go there to see the exhibitions and of course admire the architecture of the place. I watched a few movies there and experienced both their big and small halls. One screening involved watching a four hour film, Home from Home, an epic black and white saga which I enjoyed watching.
Cobain: Montage of Heck (Brett Morgen, USA, 2015, 145 min)
Home from Home - Chronicle of a Vision (Edgar Reitz, Germany, 2013, 235 min)
Une collection particulière / A Private Collection (Walerian Borowczyk, Poland, 1973, 14 min)
Stanley Kubrick's Boxes (Jon Ronson, UK, 2008, 48 min)
Every time I am in London, I make it a point to watch a film or two or three at BFI. It's one of my favourite places in the city and I always said if they had a room to rent, I would be the first in line.
Blade Runner - The Final Cut (Ridley Scott, USA, 1982/2007, 117 min)
In case you are wondering, yes, it was worth flying to London to see it on the big screen.
Cry of the City (Robert Siodmak, 1948, USA, 95 min)
I've been to this cinema, but before it was taken over by Curzon, when it was known as Renoir Cinema. It's been refurbished and is now a stylish looking boutique style cinema.
Jauja (Lisandro Alonso, Argentina, 2014, 109 min)
I'm not exagerrating when I say every scene in this film is worth framing. This is from the opening scene. Beautiful and dramatic cinematography.
Just like the Barbican, this was the first time I watch films at Tate Modern. I'm normally there for the exhibitions only. There was a film series titled "
LA Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema " screening that week. I watched a few, most on 16mm or 35mm film.
Daydream Therapy (Bernard Nicolas, USA, 1977, digital video, transferred from 16mm, b/w & colour, 8 min)
Welcome Home, Brother Charles (Jamaa Fanaka, USA, 1975, 35mm, colour, 91 min)
Diary of an African Nun (Julie Dash, USA, 1977, 16mm, black and white, 15 min)
Harvest: 3000 Years (Haile Gerima, Ethiopia, 1976, 16mm, black and white, 150 min)
I went to Rough Trade to buy something, but stumbled upon a talk with filmmaker and artist Bill Morrison and a screenings of some his short films, to promote his 3 Disc BLU-RAY DVD release by the BFI. I only sat through one film as had to go be somewhere else that evening, but I plan to get my hands on the Blu-Ray DVD set soon.
Film of Her (Bill Morrison, 1996, 12 min)
