Not quite that ambitious, but good to know (and the name rhymes).

This sounds a lot more defeatist than I intended it to… Here’s a picture of my dog trying to be hide and seek champion to make up for it

October:
Time Out Of Mind - Bob Dylan (1997)
Bear Creek - Brandi Carlile (2012)
Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen (1982)
Supernatural - Santana (1999)

October:
The Voice Of Hind Rajab (2025)
The President’s Cake (2025)
Alpha (2025)
Corpus Christi (2019)

And with that, until the next festival ramble, here’s the usual thread-closing GIF.

Finally, out of everything I saw and did whilst in London perhaps the most important thing was a good old catch-up with Paddington!

But, before proceeding with any of that, here are my top three films from the festival:

1. The President’s Cake
2. The Voice Of Hind Rajab
3. High Wire

#LFF

I got home from this year’s festival not with the usual ‘as if it never happened’ feeling, but a surge of confidence to push and drive forward, put myself out there and really go for it with career/ work things. Some heavy fuel has been added to the passion fire.

And a good part of that is thanks to the selection of wonderful people - both new and familiar - spoken to in queues and screening rooms. As always, if I spoke to you at any point during the festival, thank you for letting me hassle you, you’re wonderful!

And with that another LFF is over. Tiredness may have been more of a battle than usual but having started and finished the festival with a generally mentally clear mindframe (aside from some slight anxiety, not necessarily a bad thing) is a wonderful feeling to know that.

And finally, 100 Nights Of Hero. Went in blind and was pleasantly greeted by a (largely) family film for grown ups that (probably older) kids can watch. Was reminded of Princess Bride a couple of times, and one shot made me laugh perhaps louder and longer than anyone else… #LFF

La Grazia has a good handful of chuckles before getting into its more dramatic side with a tale of coming to terms with the idea of legacy, ageing, regrets and final days. All rather wonderfully captured in Toni Servillo’s central performance. #LFF

While slight and, I feel, likely quickly forgettable, I can’t deny finding enough interest during The Devil Smokes (And Saves The Burnt Matches In The Same Box)’s run-time to make for a watchable film that passes by easily enough. #LFF

Nouvelle Vague is a pleasant surprise. Went in blind (and not having seen Breathless before) and found a much breezier, funnier film than expected. A real delight of a cast going through the motions of a director with a plan that seems to only be in their head. #LFF

Pillion’s greatest successes come from the fact that it looks at its world and characters sincerely and without making any jokes of it (although there are some chuckles). Melling and Skarsgard are great at capturing two different connections in the developing relationship. #LFF

History Of Sound works best when Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal are on-screen together. They elevate the film and capture the spirit of the music at hand. However, much of what happens is very (albeit intentionally) slow and can mean some lengthy scenes. #LFF

Can now talk about Lady, which has some very good awkward gags in the mockumentary format, especially Sian Clifford’s expectant glances to the crew around her. Things become patchier the more things go on and the laughs die down as the dramatic edges increase. #LFF