LONDON (AP) — Hot on the heels of Cannes and Venice, it’s London’s turn to shine and roll out the red carpet for this year’s crop of buzzy films and international stars.
On Sunday that meant the new stop-motion animated fantasy film from Laika, “Wildwood” got its long-awaited world premiere.
The 70th London Film Festival, which opened Oct. 7, features a mix of award hopefuls and world premieres over 12 days of screenings and events.
16 years in the making, Laika stop-motion animation “Wildwood,” is one of the most anticipated titles to be shown at London Film Festival. Based on Colin Meloy’s novel, it follows two 12-year-old classmates Prue and Curtis, (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Jacob Tremblay) who get lost in a magical forest searching for Prue’s baby brother, who’s been abducted by crows.
Lee and Tremblay were joined on the red carpet by co-star Carey Mulligan, director Travis Knight and writer Meloy, who didn’t think he’d ever see his book on the big screen.
He was still working on it when Laika optioned it back in 2010. “It’s kind of wild to see that it’s actually happening now,” Meloy admitted at the world premiere.
Knight claims the key to working on such a long project is enjoying the process and finding joy in every step. But building an entire world in your hands can also be daunting.
“Stop motion is the worst, hardest, most difficult way to make a movie, but it’s also the most joyous thing, because it is the most human way to a movie and that’s why I think the movie’s so special,” explained Knight.
Mulligan, who voices Alexandra, the film’s main protagonist, said it was amazing to be involved in that level of artistry, adding that “the craftsmanship that’s gone into every frame of this is kind of another level”
Tremblay was also excited to be a part of it, having grown up with Laika’s films. He recorded his part back in 2021 and now, five years later, says it’s incredible to see all the hard work that went into it.
“My mind is blown,” said Tremblay. “I’m really happy to be here today to get to celebrate this with everyone.”
“Wildwood” has Laika’s trademark spooky and creepy feel, plus some dark themes that, although scary, Meloy thinks are good to explore with kids.
The best stories, particularly for children, he claims, are the ones that put children in danger.
“We as kids want to see that and be able to explore that in the safety of stories…You could get a vision of that danger but not be in danger yourself,” says Meloy.
Theater is in the spotlight as Simon Stone’s “Elsinore,” a biographical drama on actor Ian Charleson’s final performance, starring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, opened the festival Wednesday.
Scott said it was “incredibly cool” to have the film open the festival on London's Southbank, "because where the screening takes place tonight is literally 30 seconds away from the National Theater where the movie is set. So that is very, very special and all the gang will be there.”
Meanwhile, Jesse Eisenberg’s musical comedy “The Debut" closes proceedings on Oct. 18. The film stars Julianne Moore as a housewife whose casting in a community theater production turns her into a method actor.
Two animated films are debuting at the festival.
Another animation, Brad Bird’s neo noir animation “Ray Gunn,” which follows the adventures of a small-time detective voiced by Sam Rockwell and a pop singer played by Scarlett Johansson, had its premiere at the festival this weekend.
Other appearances include Venice Film Festival hit “Wild Horse Nine,” which got John Malkovich awarded the best actor Volpi Cup, for playing a dying CIA operative alongside co-star Sam Rockwell.
Luca Guadagnino’s “Artificial” turns to Silicon Valley, with Andrew Garfield portraying OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman during the company’s rise and turmoil after he was kicked out of the company.
Danny Boyle’s “Ink" is a prominent British entry starring Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch, which premieres Monday. Elsewhere, Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Klara and the Sun” features Jenna Ortega as an artificial companion seeking a home.
Robert Pattinson brought his portrayal of “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen in “Primetime” to London audiences Sunday, while James Gray reunited Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver on screen for his crime drama “Paper Tiger.”
For international cinema, the festival includes the Cannes sensation “La Bola Negra” from Spanish co-directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, about the lives of gay men in Madrid. South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong brings “Possible Love” fresh from its run in Venice, while Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev will show thriller “Minotaur.”
The 70th edition combines major premieres with an international competition, as well as television features. They include Michael Winterbottom’s “The Trip to the Northern Lights,” reuniting Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, and Marvel’s new series “VisionQuest” starring Paul Bettany and James Spader.
Ten films compete for the festival’s best film award. Contenders include Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Look Back,” Carol Morley’s “7 Miles Out” and Sergei Loznitsa’s “Imperium.” Separate awards recognize documentaries, first features and shorts.
The festival also extends beyond London with 10 partner venues across the United Kingdom, so audiences can watch some of the line up at cinemas across the country.
Plenty of stars will make more than one gala appearance.
Johansson has “Ray Gunn” and “Paper Tiger,” which both premiered on Saturday. Her “Ray Gunn” co-star Rockwell is also in “Wild Horse Nine.”
Spanish superstar couple Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem each have two movies, including one in which they acted together, Florian Zeller’s “Bunker.”
Then Cruz supported “La Bola Negra” and Bardem was on the red carpet for “The Beloved.”
There’s also a selection of screen talks from the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Sofia Coppola and Ava DuVernay.
While most of the films have already been shown at other festivals, the London event is more of a festival for the people, with public screenings a big part of its appeal.
General ticket sales opened Sept. 17, and young people can apply for discounted tickets, Many screenings have sold out, though additional tickets may be released.
The festival runs Oct. 7 to Oct. 18 and includes 251 titles from 88 countries, spanning feature films, shorts, television series and immersive works.
Screenings are spread across BFI Southbank and other London cinemas. Intrepid fans can catch a glimpse of their idols from the top of the main venue's staircase and balconies overlooking the red carpet.
