The final day of Latitude 2009 brought the rain, some sun and – as always – some intriguing selections in the Film and Music Arena.
After catching the tail end of Jon Ronson providing some readings from his books and journalism, those who were disappointed by the lack of Jeffrey Lewis yesterday were glad to see him replace the advertised Lightspeed Champion. While he didn’t deliver his Watchmen lecture, he did provide a storming set alongside his band, The Junkyard. He also provided a couple of ‘short films’ for the audience including the rather excellent Creeping Brain. Which is a story about a sentient brain. That creeps. You had to be there. Those who have never checked out Lewis’ combination of anti-folk music, home made movies and comic book art would be strongly urged to check him out when he tours the UK in the summer.
Onto Encounters, the Bristol Short Film Festival, which presented a talk about moving from short films to features. Tom Harper (director of such shorts as Cubs and Cherries) and producer Ivana Mackinnon discussed their latest feature, Scouting For Boys starring Thomas Turgoose, of This Is England fame.
The story follows the friendship between a young boy and girl on a caravan park that takes a dark turn when the girl goes missing. Both Harper and Mackinnon seem passionate about the project and, from the clips shown, the film is one that is worth looking at for sometime over the next few months. Harper also revealed that he too is going to take Shane Meadows up on his ‘5 Day Film Challenge’ (see Latitude Day 2 for more information). Mr Meadows seems to have inspired something of a movement…
Taraf De Haidouks that included the requisite performers and shenanigans that generally make their screenings so much fun. And a quick shout out for The Man Who Eats Badgers, a brilliantly quirky documentary centering on some of the stranger men living in Bodmin, including one who feasts on roadkill. May I point out that he cooks it first.
Aside from the film, Thom Yorke sang beautifully but was rather low key to say the least. At the opposite end of the spectrum was Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds who could be described as – and I think this an accepted term in musical journalism – f**king ace. Shouty, fiery and gobsmacking, their set was a perfect way to close the festival.
So, all in all, how did Latitude 2009 measure up? Well, if you’ve been reticent about visiting a ‘music festival’ then Latitude may just prove to be a good starting point. Alongside the music and films I’ve already mentioned, there’s also theatre, literature, cabaret and all manner of other delights that will really keep you entertained.
While there are still some of the trappings that are common to all festivals (scary toilets and food and drink prices that may require you to take out a mortgage before you arrive), there is a really relaxed and fun vibe to the event that will suit whether you want to stay up and party or get some shuteye after a long day (well, provided you’ve brought more than a piece of foam to insulate you from the ground).
And of course film fans (which I assume you are or why would be reading this in the first place) will get to see a number of exclusive screenings and events that will provide a little bit of difference from your typical film festival.
And guess what – my tent stayed up for the entire festival. I am stupidly proud of myself…
Find out more at the official site.
