If you have a Sight & Sound magazine subscription then it can’t have escaped your notice that London Film Festival has just started.
The 56th BFI London Film Festival kicked off last night with the premiere of Tim Burton’s latest creation, Frankenweenie.
Although not originally from London, Burton has lived here for so long that we’ve almost adopted him as one of our own – and he famously lives next door to long-time partner Helena Bonham Carter (with whom he has two children) in North London.
Burton and Bonham Carter were both awarded BFI Fellowships last night. The pair have worked together on numerous films, including
Burton has a track record of creating quirky movies, with apparently child-friendly themes and a gothic twist. Just look at his track record – Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas and The Corpse Bride to name a few.
Frankenweenie, the idea for which Burton first came up with way back in 1984, has the same feel to it. It’s the story of a young boy, aspiring film-maker Victor, and his dog Sparky.
After Sparky gets killed, Victor manages to bring him back to life with the help of lightning and Sparky’s almost as good as new. Though word soon gets round and Victor is soon the go-to person for dead pets. It’s Burton at his best and a great watch for kids getting excited for Halloween.
Of course, there are a whole host of other fantastic films being shown until the Festival ends on 21st October, when it will be closed with the showing of Mike Newell’s Great Expectations – which actually stars Bonham Carter as Miss Haversham.
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Posted by Claire Sharp.
