The organisers-Kino Muza, Estrada Poznańska, and the City of Poznań-highlight that this is Poland's first film festival and one of handful of European events of this kind devoted exclusively to British cinema. Branded with the slogan "United Kingdom of Cinema," the festival's programme encompasses a range of film genres, from timeless classics and premieres to social realist films and even B-movies. The lineup is extensive; in addition to dozens of screenings, there will be special events, screenings in unusual settings, and international guests.

"British cinema is packed with pop culture references. At our festival, viewers can have tea at 5 p.m., see a red phone booth at the cinema entrance, solve puzzles with the flair of Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple, and enjoy Jane Austen's prose in their spare time. They might even hop on a red double-decker to the cinema, singing along to Monty Python and Beatles tunes. There will be no shortage of beloved characters, including Paddington Bear, Harry Potter, Mr. Bean, and James Bond," says Dorota Reksińska, programmer and founder of the British Film Festival. She adds, "Our programme celebrates the cultures of the individual nations within the United Kingdom, highlighting the diversity of regions and social classes as well as the context of colonial and post-colonial experiences."

Retrospectives, Old and New

A key attraction of the programme will be two retrospectives that contrast British cinema's past with its present. For retro film enthusiasts, a selection of Alfred Hitchcock's works is on offer. Notably, this section coincides with the 125th anniversary of this iconic director's birth. The screenings will include digitally restored versions of Hitchcock's early British films. On Thursday, 14 November, at 8 p.m., a screening of the 1927 silent film The Lodger will take place by candlelight, with live music, at the St. Cross Evangelical Methodist Church on ul. Ogrodowa 6, marking what is likely Poland's first-ever film screening in a church.

Also included are some rare big-screen showings of Hitchcock classics such as Psycho, Dial M for Murder, and North by Northwest. And of course, no Hitchcock lineup would be complete without The Birds from 1963. Though many film enthusiasts have already seen it, Friday's screening (14 November, 8 p.m.) will be a special experience as it will also take place in a pop-up cinema location. In this case, The Birds will be shown in the SZEROKO_Stomil hall on ul. Starołęcka 18R, an industrial space in a former factory repurposed as a raw, atmospheric photo studio. "Imagine the impact of a film that still gives people the creeps about birds, shown in a setting like that," jokes Dorota Reksińska.

The second retrospective will focus on Lynne Ramsay, the award-winning Scottish director and BAFTA recipient, who has also won five honours at the Cannes, Locarno, and San Sebastian festivals. Alongside her iconic films, We Need to Talk About Kevin and You Were Never Really Here, there will be a selection of her lesser-known feature films and short works from early in her career. Fans will have an extra treat, as Ramsay will attend the festival during its last three days to discuss her work in person, arriving directly from Canada, where she's currently filming her latest project with Jennifer Lawrence and Rooney Mara.

Unconventional venues

The Outside the Box section is designed to offer fresh cinematic experiences. Although November weather may not lend itself well to outdoor and non-traditional screenings, five unique film events are planned. These will include the previously mentioned screenings of The Lodger and The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock, as well as Danny Boyle's cult classic Trainspotting, shown on 35mm film at the Tama Club on 16 November. Additionally, Mike Leigh's Mr. Turner, one of the best films about impressionist art, will be shown at the National Museum of Poznań on 17 November. Peter Collinson's 1969 production The Italian Job will be screened among British Mini Coopers and equipment in the MINI Inchcape Poznań car showroom, also on 17 November.

The Classics section promises screenings of iconic British films from restored DCP copies and traditional media, such as 16mm and 35mm prints. Trainspotting, with its soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop, Pulp, and Blur, will include an accompanying music event at the Tama Club. "What better way to experience classic films than watching them together in the dark?" remarks Dorota Reksińska.

The High Season section will showcase the most compelling British films shown in cinemas during the 2023/2024 season, giving viewers a chance to catch any they may have missed. Meanwhile, First Things First will offer pre-release screenings of films, many of which are outside of regular distribution. This will mean that some films will be shown for the first or only time in Poland. Polish audiences can look forward to seeing Last Swim by Sasha Nathwani, a story about young adults facing life's challenges, which won the Crystal Bear at Berlinale 2024.

Bloody Hell!

What else is on the agenda? Under the Five O'clock banner, viewers will see heritage cinema-period dramas that delve into British landowning, aristocratic, imperial, and colonial history. The section's name playfully references the British tea-time custom, with all screenings beginning at 5 p.m. The films include Chariots of Fire, directed by Hugh Hudson and winner of four Oscars, commemorating the centenary of the 1924 Paris Olympics featured in the film. "In this section, we want to portray not only the aristocracy and gentry but also, above all, the theme of imperialism, with a critical approach," notes Dorota Reksińska.

Similarly, Mind the Gap will showcase socially conscious films addressing past and current political and social issues in the UK. Among the four films in this section are Stephen Frears's 1985 classic My Beautiful Laundrette, featuring a young Daniel Day-Lewis in one of his first roles, and Made in Britain, Alan Clarke's 1982 film with Tim Roth debuting as a violent skinhead.

As Dorota Reksińska explains, "Our festival has something for everyone, so it's a bit wild." Fittingly, then, a thrilling late-night experience rounds off the programme under the Bloody Hell! section. This B-movie segment includes films that terrify with low production quality, likely leaving viewers laughing more than screaming. The lineup includes low-budget movies considered cult classics for their dreadful charm. With support from the organisers of the lively Octopus Film Festival and VHS HELL, these films will be screened from VHS tapes.

The organisers say, "Even though this is only the first edition, we see great potential in the festival, not only because of Britain's vast cinematic heritage but also its notable achievements in recent years. We hope the British Film Festival will become a hallmark event for Poznań, growing each year with new themes, a film competition, and new partnerships."

So - see you at the cinema!

Anna Solak

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

• British Film Festival
• Venues: Muza cinema, Tama Club, National Museum, and more
• 13-17 November; films shown in original version with Polish subtitles (except for three). For more, see www.britishfilmfestival.pl.

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024