EAST END FILM FESTIVAL Now in its thirteenth year, East End Film Festival comes of age with a celebration of teen-focused world cinema including:
HERE & NOW Inner-city girl Grace initially resists a trip to the country with her parents, leaving East Ham for a rural idyll in a bid to save a failing marriage, Grace resolves to tough it out but when she meets country boy Say, her tough and spiky exterior slowly begins to crumble. Spending their days together in this peaceful, quiet retreat, they begin to let go of their respective hang-ups, and come to understand one another in a way that goes way beyond a holiday romance. A touching portrait of summer love.
CLUB SANDWICH Celebrated Mexican new wave director, Eimbcke returns with another awkward comedy of manners. 15 year-old HĂŠctor discovers love and sex whilst on holiday with his mother. Together they lounge by the pool until 16-year-old Jazmin arrives, and the two teenagers gravitate toward one another. A lovely, believable drama of shifting sands, and coming of age.
LEAVE TO REMAIN An Afghan boy arrives at a refugee home setting off a chain of unforeseen events in this powerful film by lauded television director Goodison who worked with unprofessional actors to create unforgettable characters. With an original sound track from Mercury-winners Alt-J, this is a timely cinematic take on the experience of many refugees in the UK, falling emotively between documentary realism and heightened drama. 14