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Festival coverage

Leeds International Film Festival

2008

Now in its 22nd year, the Leeds Film Festival runs from November 4 to 16.

This year's opening night gala is physical comedy Rumba. Films in the Official selection with vie for the Golden Owl. Controversial German filmmaker and gay rights campaigner Rosa von Praunheim is profiled through a special retrospective, while fantasy and horror fans can get their kicks through the Fanomenon strand. Films in this segment will take part in the Silver Melies competition, the winner of this will go forward along with others from festivals across Europe, to compete for the Golden Melies award.

Got a feature or short film screening at this year's fest and want us to review it? If you have a screener, please feel free to send it to us.

Other years (8)

Box office and information

Latest reviews

  • Rumba
    Review preview for Rumba

    Very capable of raising of smile.

    Adam Micklethwaite · 3 out of 5
    Offbeat comedy in the style of Tati.
  • Momma's Man
    Review preview for Momma's Man

    My patience with the central character expired long before the film eventually dragged itself towards the end of its running time.

    Adam Micklethwaite · 2 out of 5
    A man in mid-life crisis retreats to his parents' loft.
  • The Burrowers
    Review preview for The Burrowers

    In an industry becoming increasingly dominated by computerised effects, it’s heartening to see the practical work on display looks so good.

    Jonathan Melton · 3.5 out of 5
    When a town's prime lass is kidnapped in the Old West, a posse get together to bring her back. Easier said than done when the kidnappers are underground monsters.
  • Soi Cowboy
    Review preview for Soi Cowboy

    Clay doesn’t want for ideas but his symbolism is in grave danger of smothering the story

    Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
    An uneven relationship between a westerner and a Thai former sex worker.
  • Deadgirl
    Review preview for Deadgirl

    A sombre film that never shows more than it needs to, and never allows its more outrageous or shocking moments to descend into sadistic spectacle or farce.

    Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
    After two teenagers find a dead girl in the basement of a disused mental asylum, the boundary between right and wrong becomes sickeningly blurred.
  • The Disappeared
    Review preview for The Disappeared

    Elevated by an outstanding central performance from Harry Treadaway.

    Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
    A youth released from a mental hospital tries to get back to normal but is haunted by the voice of his younger brother, who disappeared.
  • Blind Loves
    Review preview for Blind Loves

    Juraj Lehotský's Blind Loves not only succeeds in describing the world as blind people really experience it but, in so doing, presents the sighted viewer with a fascinating insight into a different way of living.

    Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
    The complexities of love and relationships as experienced by various visually impaired people.
  • Dream
    Review preview for Dream

    Kim Ki-duk is using language to highlight the communicative gulf that exists between his dramatis personae.

    Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
    A woman acts out the dreams of a stranger.
  • My Name Is Bruce
    Review preview for My Name Is Bruce

    Plays a lot like a neutered Troma movie – it lacks what makes Troma films appealing, namely the razor-sharp satirical touches and garage rock filmmaking ethos.

    Daniel Hooper · 2 out of 5
    Washed-up actor Bruce Campbell is forced to save the town of Gold Lick from ghost Guan-Di.
  • Standing Up
    Review preview for Standing Up

    Standing Up makes Full Metal Jacket look like a fascist recruitment film.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 3 out of 5
    Training to kill, Afghan style, in the new American sponsored army.

A–Z of Leeds International Film Festival 2008 reviews

Features

  • This is hardcore...
    Exclusive interview with director Pascal Laugier about his disturbing horror film Martyrs.
  • Sparkling Perry
    In our exclusive interview Brit acting stalwart Perry Benson talks about his contrasting roles in Somers Town and Mum & Dad.