2015 BFI London Film Festival American Express® Gala “Carol” + Nicole Kidman

If you mention Cate Blanchett, you’ll have my undivided attention, so when I found out that Carol will be headlining one of the festival days, I had to make sure to be there. This time for me didn’t go as well as Suffragette, but it was sill great. I saw Cate, Rooney Mara, John Magaro, director Todd Haynes, producers Stephen Woolley, Christine Vachon, Elizabeth Karlsen, screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, costume designer Sandy Powell.

Cate Blanchett

with actress Rooney Mara

Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to watch the film, but people seem to have been rather impressed. I can’t wait to go watch it when it comes out in cinemas.

After the red carpet part was over, me and a few friends decided to go to the backdoor of Noël Coward Theatre because Nicole Kidman is currently doing a play there called Photograph 51. As usual, Nicole came out to see the fans after the show and I got her autograph and a picture. I told her that her performances were one of the things that got me interested in film and why I’m studying it now. I also said that I want to be a film director and she replied saying that that’s amazing and that we need more female directors. Felt quite wonderful to be honest.

with Nicole Kidman

MDA3200 What is Film Theory?

First class of Film Theory was the introduction to the course. Lara briefly talked about what we’ll be learning each week.

Film theory or cinema studies is an academic discipline that aims to explore the essence of the cinema and provides conceptual frameworks for understanding film’s relationship to reality, the other arts, individual viewers, and society at large.

We watched Rear Window (1954) in the screening. Having seen it already, I could focus on the film in more detail. The film explores the very “logical” approach to marriage, love, relationship. Loneliness and fear of commitment can be felt, because the characters would have to adjust to one another’s preferences and the way of life. Just a few things that I picked up after watching it again. And there’s also the obvious fact that Grace Kelly looks breathtaking throughout the whole film.

In the seminar we went around the room and each of us had to say two if our favourite films and our reasons why. I chose I Am Sam (2001) and The Hours (2002). I realise that my film choices depend heavily on the actors starring in them.