East End Film Festival 2017
East End Film Festival
Every Weekend Throughout June, 2017
Reviews by Bernie C Byrnes
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Brexitannia
Directed by Timothy George Kelly
Screening at East End Film Festival June 23rd, 2017
In the wake of the most momentous event in modern British political history, director Timothy George Kelly travelled the length of the UK, speaking to people on both sides of the Brexit divide – This documentary is brilliant!
There are some immensely likeable people in this film, there are some bright and interesting people in this film, there are some intelligent and educated people in this film, and there are also some dyed-in-the-wool fuckwits – on both sides. And sides are important in Brexitannia, as is its impressive execution of a fine balancing act. This documentary is a fascinating snapshot of Brexit Britain… read more
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Follow the Money
Directed by Steve Boggan, John Hardwick and Ben Unwin
Screening at EEFF June 17th, 2017
Seemingly an act of boisterous lunacy, Follow The Money sees Hackney filmmakers Steve Boggan, John Hardwick and Ben Unwin follow a $10 bill across the USA. Crisscrossing the country over the course of 30 days, and recording their encounters with the people they meet along the way, the filmmakers meet an extraordinary range of characters, from a French trans woman making a new life for herself to the busker who has rediscovered his love for life following a near-death experience… read more
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The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Directed by David France
Starring Victoria Cruz, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera
Screening in partnership with Stonewall at EEFF on June 18, 2017
A percentage of the screening’s profits will be donated to the charity
Oscar-nominated director David France (How to Survive a Plague) returns with a new documentary about legendary BAME trans icon and gay liberation activist, Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha, who along with Sylvia Rivera spearheaded the Stonewall Riots and formed the world’s first trans-rights organisation, was mysteriously found dead in 1992. Now, 25 years later, an activist named Victoria Cruz has taken it upon herself to re-examine what happened at the end of Marsha’s life… read more
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The Show
Directed by James Alexandrou
Starring Celine Abrahams, Sean Buchanan, Charles Dorfman, Kate Fahy, Harry Lloyd and Adeel Akhtar
Screening at EEFF June 16th, 2017
Chloe’s transition from soap stardom to the stage is already proving challenging opposite her committed and uncompromising co-star. But when an awful bereavement befalls her, she has to worry about much more than remembering her lines.
I really enjoyed this film. As a stage director there was so much here that felt familiar, particularly all the drama happening off stage and some drunken drivel happening on it. Celine Abrahams is a perfect fit for the beautiful Salome. She simpers and giggles her way through rehearsals like a true soap opera pro. Throughout the film she gives a solidly sound performance with only one brief loss of conviction in the tough-to-pull-off dressing room meltdown. Sean Buchanan as Liam, who had me cringing and applauding in equal measure, admirably balances Abrahams in the piece. The character of Liam is an all too familiar one of the ‘serious actor’ and Buchanan plays him without a hint of self-consciousness. Almost everyone in this film turns in fine performances. The dialogue is convincing and the characters are well drawn… read more
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Waking David
Directed by Kevin Nash
Starring Kristy Bruce, Shane Bruce and Harriet Madeley
Screening at East End Film Festival June 18th, 2017
A young American woman arrives in England seeking to reconnect with her father’s family, only to find them peculiarly reticent about her arrival. Delving deeper, she slowly uncovers a web of trauma, deceit and repressed memory attached to her father’s legacy… read more
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