As far as jobs go, Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon and Michael Winterbottom definitely stumbled on to a beauty with their series The Trip. The trio first worked together thirteen years ago in 24 Hour Party People and more recently in Tristram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story. It was during shootingTristram Shandy that the three came up with the idea of making a television show together where Coogan and Brydon would play versions of themselves, travel around picturesque spots, eat exceptionally good food, and just talking about stuff. What started out as a six episode series for the BBC, was then re-edited into a feature film, and was such a success, a few years later they went and did it all again – this time in Italy. The Trip to Italy is my first pick of the week.
As far as jobs go, Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon and Michael Winterbottom definitely stumbled on to a beauty with their series The Trip. The trio first worked together thirteen years ago in 24 Hour Party People and more recently in Tristram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story. It was during shooting Tristram Shandy that the three came up with the idea of making a television show together where Coogan and Brydon would play versions of themselves, travel around picturesque spots, eat exceptionally good food, and just talking about stuff. What started out as a six episode series for the BBC, was then re-edited into a feature film, and was such a success, a few years later they went and did it all again – this time in Italy. The Trip to Italy is my first pick of the week.
The Trip to Italy
Starring: Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon
Directed by: Michael Winterbottom
Screening: Rialto British, Sunday 26th April, 8.30pm
Back and better than ever after their culinary trip around the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon head off to retrace the steps of the Romantic poets’ grand tour of Italy. It’s the same format with the two playing versions of themselves, however this time around they’ve swapped roles. Coogan is more humble and family orientated, while Brydon’s career is on the rise, along with his ego. The scenery is superb, the food mouthwatering and the company excellent. You’ll be booking flights before this journey is complete!
Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets
Starring: Jarvis Cocker and the people of Sheffield
Directed by: Florian Habicht
Screening: Rialto New Wave, Thursday 23rd April, 8.30pm
When you interview a New Zealand film director, most of them will tell you that their film took them seven years to complete from conception to completion. Talk to Florian Habicht about his recently released documentary Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets and you’ll discover that he managed to agree on a concept with Pulp’s lead singer Jarvis Cocker, pre-produce and shoot this documentary in just seven weeks. A documentary celebrating the band as well as the ‘common people’, who are often at the heart of Pulp’s songs, the film was shot during their unofficial final tour concert in 2012. Not only does it feature interviews with the band members and fans, but exhilarating live footage from the final concert at Sheffield's Motorpoint Arena. Shooting from the perspective of the audience with twelve HD cameras, Habicht captures the electric atmosphere of a stadium concert, as well as Cocker in all his writhing, seductive glory as he belts out classic Pulp tracks. The sound is incredible; thanks to the band re-mastering the audio after the concert, making this film the next best thing to being there live. In February, Pulp: A film about Life, Death and Supermarkets won the award for Best Music Film at the NME Awards in London.
Kill Your Darlings
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan & Michael C. Hall
Directed by: John Krokidas
Screening: Rialto Selection, Saturday 25th April, 8.30pm
Daniel Radcliff takes on the role of a young Allen Ginsberg in this drama that centers on Ginsberg’s formative years at Columbia University, where intense friendships were formed, and obsession and jealousy led to a murder investigation. It was at University that Ginsberg and others such as fellow writers William Burroughs (Ben Foster) and Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) began to discover who they were, both sexually and as writers, forming a group originally known as the “New Vision” movement, now known as the Beat generation. In his debut feature film, director Krokidas captures the dark seedy world these gentlemen circulated in and their ambition to write a masterpiece, and transform American literature. There are a few pacing issues and the script could have been tighter, but over all Krokidas captures the period and the exuberance of youth well, and thanks to all round solid performances presents us with a fascinating coming of age story.