Friday in the Office

Viggo Mortensen in The Road

Last friday I went to an excellent screening day hosted by Icon Film Distribution, just the type of thing to get me in the mood for Cannes. They gave us an excellent lunch followed by a presentation of 19, yes 19, films they’ll be releasing between now and the middle of next year. To their credit, and in particular, the presenting skills of their head of marketing, any fears of film fatigue were swiftly allayed by a fast pace on the podium. I didn’t check my Blackberry once.

Of the 19 films there were certainly a few to get excited about and some with real Picturehouse potential. Number one for me was probably The Road based on the sublime Cormac McCarthy novel and which reunites The Proposition’s John Hillcoat (dir) and Nick Cave (composer). The film stars Viggo Mortensen and is about a father and son’s journey through a dangerous post-apocalyptic wilderness. Although expected earlier, the film is now due for a November UK release after a late October US opening giving you plenty of time to read the book before it arrives.

French poster of Looking For Eric

The day finished with a special screening of Looking For Eric, introduced by the film’s director Ken Loach. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been desperate to see this film ever since I heard that Ken Loach was making a film with ‘King Eric’ Cantona. The film is in competition in Cannes this week and I’m not allowed to say anything about it yet, I’m probably not even supposed to mention I’ve seen it. Oh well.