In this 3rd Hanoi International Film Festival, British Council cordially invites cinema lovers to the screening of two new works of cinema from the UK: The Selfish Giant and Philomena. The Selfish Giant is a brand new work by the young female director Clio Barnard. With this work, she was considered as one of the most significant voice of British cinema in 2013. The film took the inspiration from a short story with the same name of the famous Irish writer, Oscar Wilde. The second film is Philomena, which is based on a true story about Philomena Lee and her touching journey in the search of his lost child. Philomena has been successful not only in the UK but was also nominated in four categories at the 86th Academy Awards as well as received many awards from international film festival such as Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival.
THE SELFISH GIANT
An official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, "The Selfish Giant" is a contemporary fable about 13 year old Arbor and his best friend Swifty. Excluded from school and outsiders in their own neighbourhood, the two boys meet Kitten, a local scrapdealer – the Selfish Giant.
They begin collecting scrap metal for him using a horse and cart. Swifty has a natural gift with horses while Arbor emulates Kitten – keen to impress him and make some money. However, Kitten favours Swifty, leaving Arbor feeling hurt and excluded, driving a wedge between the boys. Arbor becomes increasingly greedy and exploitative, becoming more like Kitten. Tensions build, leading to a tragic event, which transforms them all.
Director: Clio Barnard
Writers: Clio Barnard, Oscar Wilde (inspired by 'The Selfish Giant')
Stars: Conner Chapman, Shaun Thomas, Sean Gilder
Country: UK
Language: English
Release Date: 25 October 2013 (UK)
Runtime: 91 min
PHILOMENA
Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a “fallen woman”. When her baby was only a toddler, he was whisked away by the nuns to America for adoption. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for him in vain.
Then she met Martin Sixsmith, a world-weary journalist as cynical as Philomena was trusting. Together they set off for America on a journey that would not only reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena’s son, but also the powerful bond that grew up between Philomena and Martin – a surprising relationship that was both profoundly moving and very funny.
The film is a bitter-sweet comedy, a compelling narrative of human love and loss, and a heart-breaking story that ultimately celebrates life.
Director: Stephen Frears
Writers: Steve Coogan (screenplay), Jeff Pope (screenplay)
Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark
Language: English
Release Date: 1 November 2013 (UK)
Runtime: 98 min
SCREENING SCHEDULE
Philomena:
1st screening in Room no 4 – CGV Cinema Tay Son at 16.00 on 23 November 2014
2nd screening in Room no 7 – National Cinema Centre at 14.00 on 24 November 2014
The Selfish Giant
1st screening in Room no 2 – Kim Dong Theater at 20.00 on 25 November 2014
2nd Screening in Room no 2 – August Cinema at 16.00 on 26 November 2014
Free tickets are available at the screening site a day before the premiere.
For more information, please check out www.haniff.vn/en/