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London Film Festival · 2012

London Film Festival 2012

Sonic

Programme

6 films · 4 reviews

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Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me

The story of the unsuccessful but hugely influential cult band.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Drew DeNicola; Stars: Chris Bell, Andy Hummel, Jody Stephens, Alex Chilton)

Good Vibrations

Review preview for Good Vibrations

This is a joyous pearl of a film.

Sophie Monks Kaufman · 4 out of 5
The story of Terri Hooley, Ulster’s Godfather of Punk, and the record shop and music label through which he promoted cult bands.

(Country: UK, Ireland; Year: 2012; Director: Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn; Writer: Colin Carberry, Glenn Patterson; Stars: Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Dylan Moran)

Kinshasa Kids

Perhaps the most ebullient “musical” you’ll see this year, this singular documentary/ fiction hybrid follows a group of street children in the Congolese capital.

(Country: Belgium; Year: 2012; Director: Marc-Henri Wajnberg; Writer: Marc-Henri Wajnberg; Stars: Joël Eziegue, José Mawanda, Rachel Mwanza)

The Secret Disco Revolution

Review preview for The Secret Disco Revolution

Are there really people out there who didn't know disco had a social impact? Perhaps, but if so it seems unlikely they're the sort of folk who watch documentaries.

Jennie Kermode · 2.5 out of 5
A documentary about the progress of disco and its liberalising influence on popular culture.

(Country: Canada; Year: 2012; Director: Jamie Kastner; Writer: Jamie Kastner)

Spike Island

Review preview for Spike Island

It all feels a little thickly laid on, to the point of cliché.

Owen Van Spall · 2 out of 5
In summer 1990, members of a smalltime indie band desperately try to scrounge tickets for a big Stone Roses gig.

(Country: UK; Year: 2012; Director: Mat Whitecross; Writer: Chris Coghill; Stars: Elliott Tittensor, Emilia Clarke, Nico Mirallegro)

Violeta Went To Heaven (Violeta Se Fue A Los Cielos)

Review preview for Violeta Went To Heaven

Here, the old Chilean songs fulfill their original purpose, as storytelling elements, but now they bear the weight of a new history.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A biopic of the Chilean folk singer, composer, ethnomusicologist and painter Violeta Parra.

(Country: Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain; Year: 2011; Director: Andrés Wood; Writer: Eliseo Altunaga, Rodrigo Bazaes, Guillermo Calderón, Andrés Wood; Stars: Francisca Gavilán, Thomas Durand, Luis Machín, Gabriela Aguilera, Roberto Farías) , Official site