The TNBT JDIFF 2012 Guide

The TNBT Guide to the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012.

Its that time of year again: yes, the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival has rolled into town and from February 16th to 26th the capital is set to be overrun with celebs rubbing shoulders with movie buffs and ordinary Dubliners alike.

This year’s festival certainly packs a celebrity punch with Hollywood heavyweights Al Pacino, Glenn Close, Martin Sheen, and eighties-poster-boy-turned-acting-heavyweight Mark Wahlberg all confirmed to attend the tenth-anniversary celebrations. The Jameson Cult Film Club is also getting in on the act with a classic screening of Reservoir Dogs promising special guest Michael Madsen.

This year’s JDIFF has a lot more to offer than just Hollywood talent, and includes a season of German film (featuring Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer’s latest offering), the world premiere of Saving the Titanic (and not a Heart of the Ocean in sight), a selection of experimental arts docs, classic screenings, first looks, and for the first time two surprise films.

Over 11 days, 130 feature-length films will be screened in cinemas throughout the capital (including the recently resurrected Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield) but, if the densely packed programme is too much for you to handle, we’ve done you the favour of picking out some highlights.

IFB Shorts
Date: Friday, February 17th
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Lighthouse Cinema

Irish film shorts have earned great praise of late, with two receiving nominations in this year’s Oscars, and this selection looks to have some gems itself. We’re keen to check out The Boy Who Lived in a Bubble, which features the unmistakable voice of none other than Alan Rickman.

Albert Nobbs
Date: Saturday, February 18th
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Savoy Cinema
Starring: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brendan Gleeson, Maria Doyle Kennedy

Shot in Dublin over 34 days last winter and based on a short story by Irish novelist George Moore, Glenn Close gives the performance of her career as a woman living as a man for over 30 years in 19th century Ireland. This special presentation will be attended by Close herself, who co-wrote the film she spent 15 years trying to get on screen after playing the titular character on Broadway.

Turn Me On, Goddammit [Få Meg På, For Faen]
Date: Sunday, February 19th
Time: 4.15pm
Venue: Cineworld
Starring: Helen Bergsholm, Henriette Steenstrup, Malin Bjørhovde

This debut from Norwegian writer-director Jannicke Systad Jacobsen (who will attend the screening) is a typical tale of teen sexuality – for once coming from the female perspective. Winner of the screenplay award at the Tribeca Film Festival, this offbeat and deadpan comedy-drama is a frank but sweet portrayal that provides a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre.

Chicken with Plums [Poulet aux Prunes]
Date: Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 26th
Time: 6.10pm and 4.30pm respectively
Venue: Cineworld
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Edouard Baer, Maria de Medeiros, Isabella Rossellini, Chiara Mastroianni

Lovers of Marjane Satrapi’s first graphic novel-turned-film, Persepolis (and there are many), will no doubt flock to this second instalment in the trilogy that her Oscar-nominated debut began. Chicken with Plums follows the final days of Nasser Ali Khan – a celebrated musician and relative of Satrapi – in Tehran, 1958. Satrapi co-directs and, though she has left behind the graphic animation style of Persepolis in favour of live action, this depiction looks to be no less refreshing and imaginative.

Death of a Superhero
Date: Sunday, February 26th
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Savoy Cinema
Staring: Andy Serkis, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Michael McElhatton, Sharon Horgan

Starring Andy Serkis, this coming-of-age tale follows Donald, a 14-year-old dealing with all the typical trials of being a teenager, as well as leukaemia, chemotherapy and the fear of dying a virgin. A journey into Donald’s comic-book universe where he becomes a superhero fighting a syringe-wielding nemesis, while he deals with issues no teenager should face, will surely be a closing gala to remember.

Ticket prices range from €8 to €18 and are available from ticket offices in Filmbase, Cineworld and Lighthouse Cinema, or online at www.jdiff.com.

TNBT for stylesiren.ie

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