Author: Arabella Kennedy-Compston

I'm 21 years old from South England and I have always been intrigued by storytelling. I am undertaking my BA Film Studies at King's College London. I love talking about representation, expression, identity, culture and working on projects. Oh, and coffee. I looove coffee.
Festival, Review

LFF 2020 – Making the Most of Moments in ‘Another Round (Druk)’

The recent recipient of the Audience Award for Best Film at LFF, Another Round (Druk) marks the return of Thomas Vintenburg and Tobias Lindholm (co-writer) to the silver screen to deliver their best collaborative piece yet. It explores existentialism, identity and (you’ve guessed it) substance abuse and is being disputed as Vinterburg’s best work since Festen. This Swedish-Danish drama will be representing Denmark as their nomination for the International … Continue reading LFF 2020 – Making the Most of Moments in ‘Another Round (Druk)’

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Festival, Review

LFF 2020 – ‘Cicada’ Reflects on Fact and Ficition

A semi-naked blonde boy stands motionless outside his family home, seemingly frozen in position. Buzzing from the summer insects intensifies, and the boy is no longer a boy – he is a man who suffers from intense nausea and won’t tell his flatmate why. This is Ben (Matthew Fifer), and he’s got a long journey ahead of him.   Cicada is a symphony of fact and fiction … Continue reading LFF 2020 – ‘Cicada’ Reflects on Fact and Ficition

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Interview

Filmmaking, Irish History and Identity: Interview with ‘Wildfire’ Director Cathy Brady

It is always fascinating to witness the emergence of a newly celebrated filmmaker. That is my experience watching Cathy Brady, the winner of this year’s London Film Festival’s IWC Filmmaker Award for her piece Wildfire, who alongside the title was rewarded with a grant of £50,000 for her next feature project.  Brady’s heartfelt directorial debut had its world premiere at TIFF and follows the relationship between two … Continue reading Filmmaking, Irish History and Identity: Interview with ‘Wildfire’ Director Cathy Brady

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Festival, Review

LFF 2020 – ‘Wildfire’ Puts a Spotlight on Grief and Support

It is always reassuring, when watching a film, to feel as though you are in safe hands. By this I mean that from the first frame, you get a strong sense of invasion in that the director at work is about to take you on a sincere, controlled journey that will evoke deep emotion. This is exactly how I felt upon viewing the opening of Wildfire, … Continue reading LFF 2020 – ‘Wildfire’ Puts a Spotlight on Grief and Support

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Interview

Celebrating Indie Film: Interview With Caris Rianne

The film industry can feel daunting at the best of times. With much of it currently on hold, the importance of independent filmmakers has never been so prevalent. This is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to Caris Rianne, the founder of Rianne Pictures – a company that celebrates the works of women and non-binary filmmakers, and offers volunteer positions to those who … Continue reading Celebrating Indie Film: Interview With Caris Rianne

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Festival, Review

LFF 2020 – Absurdity and Affection in ‘Kajillionaire’

Although I had never seen any of Miranda July’s work prior to watching Kajillionaire, consider me hooked and eager to quench my thirst for her modes of storytelling. The deadpan humour, the imagery, the characters’ dynamic; it all really worked for me. Oozing pink bubbles, flight strangers and cunning plans made up the concoction for this piece and I was entertained throughout, to say the least.  … Continue reading LFF 2020 – Absurdity and Affection in ‘Kajillionaire’

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Interview

Redefining Rebellion: In Conversation with Kaleem Aftab

After 6 months of closure and online access to celebrated pieces, the BFI are back and open to the public with their ‘Redefining Rebellion’ season. This programme highlights the 25th anniversary and the 4K restoration of Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine, accompanied by other selected pieces that too explore these themes of conflict and justice. Amongst these are pieces such as Persepolis, Beau Travail, Taxi Driver, … Continue reading Redefining Rebellion: In Conversation with Kaleem Aftab

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Review

Review – ‘Cowards Bend The Knee’ (2003)

2020 has seen the worldwide embracement of online film festivals, for obvious reasons. Cinephiles who have been unable to return to the cinema (and those who are, doing it safely) can now rekindle their love for festivals from the comfort of their own home. Although these festivals cannot be attended in person, the excitement of exploring pieces that are unfamiliar never fades. This is why … Continue reading Review – ‘Cowards Bend The Knee’ (2003)

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Feature, TV

Fantasies and Boundaries in Michaela Coel’s ‘I May Destroy You’

Trigger warning: Rape, Assault. *Spoilers ahead* Michaela Coel’s refreshing new BBC series I May Destroy You is a rollercoaster from start to finish, oozing with millennial drama and hard hitting stories surrounding the issue of consent. Set in modern day London, this new 12 part drama follows a young Black creative in London navigating agents and draft deadlines, friendships and hookups. This all changes when … Continue reading Fantasies and Boundaries in Michaela Coel’s ‘I May Destroy You’

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Feature

Fate, Loss, and Severed Limbs: An Exploration of Jérémy Clapin’s ‘I Lost My Body’

Typically when people mention animation, the first films that come to mind are created by giant studios such as Disney Pixar and Studio Ghibli, and more often than not, the use of animation in films and tv shows is aimed solely at children. A medium that combines all of the skill of illustration, storytelling and the core belief of film as a spectacle – what’s … Continue reading Fate, Loss, and Severed Limbs: An Exploration of Jérémy Clapin’s ‘I Lost My Body’

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