Screenwriter-directors Daniel Kokotajlo (Starve Acre, Apostasy) and Luna Carmoon (Hoard) discuss their approaches to filmmaking, hosted by Abla Kandalaft.
Daniel Kokotajlo’s latest film Starve Acre is a psychological horror starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark for BBC Films and House Productions. His first feature Apostasy — about a young mother’s struggle to leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses — was nominated for a string of awards (6 BIFAS, and a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut Film 2019), and won the London Film Festival IWC Bursary for Outstanding First Feature in 2019. Apostasy was made on the micro-budget scheme for IFeatures, and was subsequently released by Artificial Eye — where it went on to gross $500,000 at the UK box office — and was bought by Amazon for the US. Daniel is developing a few original feature projects in the UK. He has been selected as both a Screen Star of Tomorrow and by BAFTA as a Breakthrough Brit.
Luna Carmoon is a self-taught writer/director from South East London. An original, provocative voice, her writing conjures oddness out of the familiar, and is inspired by 60’s and 70’s British cinema. Her feature debut Hoard was released this year and screened at the Garden Cinema. That, along with her short films Nosebleed (2018) and Shagband (2020), are currently streaming on MUBI.
Industry panels followed by networking in our bar is one of the benefits of Garden Cinema membership.
Recorded on 12th December at The Garden Cinema
39-41 Parker Street London WC2B 5PQ
Our annual staff picks poll, with the winning films resurrected on Garden Cinema screens for your viewing pleasure from 28th December to 7th January.
See which 6 films made the cut and book tickets: https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/season/staff-picks-2024/
Mike Leigh in Conversation returns to The Garden Cinema for a special screening of his latest film, Hard Truths. Our discussion also marks the conclusion of In the Works, hosted by Oscar nominated composer Gary Yershon. As such, Gary’s guest is his long time collaborator, and Hard Truths director, Mike Leigh himself.
Hard Truths reunites Leigh with lead actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies), and his regular filmmaking team including Suzie Davis (production design), Jacqueline Duran (costume design), Gary Yershon (score – naturally), and the great cinematographer Dick Pope, who sadly passed away in October.
Filmed on 29th November 2024
Watch more Mike Leigh in Conversation on Youtube
Director Rungano Nyoni and cast members Susan Chardy and Elizabeth Chisela join Fatima Serghini at The Garden Cinema after a special screening of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, Winner Best Director and Breakthrough Performance at the British Independent Film Awards 2024.
Recorded on 7th December 2024 at The Garden Cinema
Jessica Hausner’s latest satirical enigma is sure to fascinate and enrage in equal measures and has already been divisive with audiences and reviewers alike. The director joined our film curator Erifili Missiou for a discussion after a special preview screening at The Garden Cinema.
Showing from 6 Dec. Book tickets: https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/film/club-zero
This season examines bold, often strange, and deeply personal filmmaking from 1970 onwards, set against a backdrop of a collapsing British film industry. Find out more and book tickets.
Freelance writer Lillian Crawford introduces Donna Deitch’s movie Desert Hearts, as part of our Trailblazers season showcasing films directed by women in the 1970’s USA.
Find out more about the season: https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/season/trailblazers/
As the Garden Cinema audience has been especially nice this year, we’re stuffing your stockings with celebratory celluloid treats to get you in the festive mood.