Stephen Frears, Shane Meadows and Paddy Considine Headline BAFTA Activity at Latitude Festival.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts pitches up for a third year at the 2009 Latitude Festival in Henham Park, Southwold. This year BAFTA presents a stellar line up of events including an on-stage interview with BAFTA and Oscar winning director Stephen Frears; a Q&A with BAFTA-winning director Shane Meadows and BAFTA-winning director/actor Paddy Considine alongside a special preview of their anticipated new mock-rockumentary Le Donk; and fresh from causing a storm at Sundance festival, an exclusive preview of the new film White Lightnin’ accompanied by a Q&A with its star, Edward Hogg.
As part of BAFTA’s commitment to bringing fresh British talent to the fore, our first event is an exclusive preview of White Lightnin’, the first feature film from British director Dominic Murphy and writer Shane Smith, the co-founder of Vice magazine. The screening takes place on Friday 17 July in the Music and Film Arena, and will be followed by a Q&A with the intensely brilliant and hotly tipped lead, Edward Hogg. Based on a true story, the film follows Jesco White (Hogg), the last of the Appalachan Mountain dancers, who dances to tame his dark and vengeful nature. Described by the Guardian as a “demented slice of genius” the film also stars Carrie Fisher (Star Wars) as Jesco’s love interest. This event is a must see for anyone interested in the new film talent emerging from our shores.
Saturday 18 July sees BAFTA celebrate the career of on one of the most highly regarded film directors working in the UK: Stephen Frears. Actor David Morrissey will interview Stephen Frears about his incredible career from his TV work in the Sixties, through successes such as Dangerous Liaisons, ,The Grifters, Dirty Pretty Things and The Queen to his most recent hit Chéri, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. David Morrissey has starred in a number of films and TV including the most recent Dr Who Christmas special, State of Play, The Other Boleyn Girl and Red Riding. He worked with Frears on The Deal, in which Morrissey played Gordon Brown.
On Saturday evening BAFTA hosts another preview screening in the Music and Film Tent, this time with BAFTA winners Shane Meadows and Paddy Considine. These long term collaborators have joined forces once more to create Le Donk, a mock-rockumentary which follows the eponymous hero.
Shane Meadows captured the country’s imagination with his recent hit This Is England, winner of the BAFTA for Best British Film in 2008. His previous work has earned him a cult following rivalled only by his long term collaborator Paddy Considine. Considine has starred in many modern classics such as Hot Fuzz, 24 Hour Party People and Dead Man’s Shoes as well as The Bourne Ultimatum and as a director, his short film Dog Altogether won the BAFTA in 2008 for Best Short Film.
BAFTA Chief Executive Amanda Berry said: “BAFTA is delighted to be returning for a third year to the fantastic Latitude Festival. This year’s line up of events demonstrates the range and versatility of British filmmakers and will appeal to everyone who loves film. Latitude is an excellent platform for BAFTA to fulfil its mission of helping audiences access industry expertise and celebrate excellence in film, television and video games. A special report of BAFTA’s trip to Latitude will be hosted on the BAFTA website shortly after the festival.”
Latitude Press Release 2009 (157.1 KB)
Notes to Editors
The Academy exists to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. The Learning and Events Programme, of which BAFTA at Latitude is a strand, aims to reach diverse public audiences through a series of nationwide events and learning programmes which recognise and celebrate achievement and share knowledge. For a full programme of BAFTA events that are open to the public, please visit www.bafta.org.
BAFTA would like to thank:
- Momentum Films for allowing BAFTA to screen White Lightnin’
- Warp Films for allowing BAFTA to screen Le Donk
For further information, please contact Alex Cook ([email protected])
