London (1994)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Patrick Keiller

Writer:

Patrick Keiller (writer)

Release Date:

3 June 1994 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Narration | Bombing | London England | Independent Film

Cast

Paul Scofield

...

Narrator (voice)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:U

Filming Locations:

Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Hendon, London, England, UK

Company:

BFI Production

Trivia:

Shot over a period of 11 months in 1992.

Quotes:

Narrator: He asked me if I find it strange that the largest street festival in Europe should take place in London, the most unsociable and reactionary of cities. I said that I didn't find it strange at all, for only in the most unsociable of cities would there be a space for it. And in any case for many people London was not at all unsociable.

Movie Connections:

References "E Street" (1989)

A very clever diary of London in 1992

This is the first of the two travelogues of our anonymous commentator and his companion Robinson, the second one being the awesome Robinson in Space.

Essentially this is a travelogue of London in 1992. It concentrates on locations and issues within London precious to the commentator, and also on the political and social events of the time. The film is shot mostly as stills of the locations visited, and is very well observed. One sequence which lingers for me is the film of the aftermath of the IRA bombs in the City of London at that time, which are eerily beautiful.

The election of 1992 is recorded and commented upon, and the monarchy dont escape unscathed. The writer is very very obviously a socialist, and the commentary is heavily 'Old Labour', but is in turns informative, witty, and thought provoking.

It attempts some major social points, but is preaching to the converted somewhat, this is definitely for the Art House Crowd - You would never see this at a Multiplex. However, is good to see it on film

I gave this 8/10, but Robinson in Space got 10. If you get the chance to see either, do, opportunities are few and far between, and it's made in a very unusual and exiting style.