Manchester International Film Festival draws to a close as a weekend of narratives, documentaries, shorts and expert talks gripped the city of Manchester.
The highlight of Friday’s highlights included “Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang In Pyongyang” a documentary showing the unique trip of NBA All Star, Dennis Rodman, to play a basketball game with the North Korean senior team as a birthday present for Kim Jong Un. The film showcased an intriguing view of a country shrouded by mystery, crime and dictatorships. The director, Colin Offland, is no longer allowed back into North Korea and this was his debut film. A triumphant film for sports and politics fans alike. A review of this film is available in the reviews section of Film-News.
Notable films from Friday also included Art Bastard, She Walks and Charles Dance spy flick Despite The Falling Snow.
Saturday brought the addition of Manchester’s AMC showing a series of short films throughout the day, both from the UK and from international creators. Sir John Hurt, Martin Freeman and Maxine Peake were amongst the talent in a selection of critically acclaimed short films.
Saturday was also music day for the longer films as UK electronic music stars, Orbital, were encapsulated in “Lunar Orbit” showing early material and footage that stapled their importance in UK music. Big Band film music composer, Vince Giordano, had his life put on show also with “There’s A Future In The Past.” The film shown us why Giordano is a master at his art creating scores for “The Aviator”, “The Cotton Club” and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”
Also playing on the Saturday was charming indie romantic film, The Paper Stone, which had its world premiere in Manchester. French crime thriller, Thugocratie, and Aussie sports story, Broke.
Sunday is set to be another day of excellence. Manchester is a city well known for its presence on the world sport stage and therefore MANIFF had its own Super Sunday. Notable films from the weekend Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang In Pyongyang and Despite The Falling Snow are both getting repeated during the day.
Thursday’s premier film, Dennis Viollet, A United Man, is being repeated. The film is told by the daughter of legendary Man United striker, Dennis Viollet, who was part of the glory years and lived through the turmoil around the Munich Air Disaster.
The film internationally premiered suitably in Manchester and is considered to be one of the greatest biographical documentaries about a Man United. A definite much watch is you’re a Man United, not so much if you support The Blues.
This weekend has shown just what Manchester can do to display the world of film. Roll on Manchester 2017.
