Film Culture Gets Boost With Launch Of BFI Southbank

The BFI has confirmed that its revitalised destination for film on London’s South Bank will open to the public on Wednesday 14 March 2007.
The redevelopment work has been completed thanks to significant investment from a number of partners, including the BFI’s core funders, the DCMS and UK Film Council.
Visitors will be able to explore and enjoy film culture in many unique and exciting ways when they visit the new space. The building will simply be known as BFI Southbank and it will become a ‘front door’ to the BFI and the full spectrum of its activities, providing UK audiences with one of the most ambitious and wide-ranging programmes of film and screen culture anywhere in the world.
The BFI Southbank programme launches with an eclectic blend of contemporary and historical cinema in a stunning line-up that features interviews with Werner Herzog, Julie Christie, Danny Boyle and Shane Meadows, plus previews of their new films. Seasons will highlight the cinematic genius of Terence Davies, the weird and wonderful world of Alejandro Jorodowsky, rare gems from the history of Chinese martial arts cinema with Heroic Grace II and the continuation of the BFI’s selection of films which have inspired cinema as an artform with Out of the Shadows: 50 Cinematic Masterpieces – and much more besides.
Also part of the opening programme is Optronica, Britain’s most ambitious audio-visual festival that explores the convergence of music, visuals and the emerging possibilities of cinema. It will run from 14th-18th March and promises a dynamic blend of some of the most highly regarded names working in film, electronic music and media, including: Peter Greenaway, with the UK premiere of 'Tulse Luper'; Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly) and Trevor Jackson; plus Charles Atlas and Christian Fennesz. There will also be special screenings, talks and workshops.
The 21st London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival comes of age on 21 March – 4 April. The programme promises to deliver another glittering year of film premieres, events and new titles from around the world plus a host of special guests.
(CL)