The line up for the 2006 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival has been announced. This year from the 15th to the 25th of March you'll be able to see a host of worthy cinema across some of London's better arty venues, namely the Ritzy, the ICA, the Gate as well as the Greenwich and Clapham Picture Houses.
The benefit gala though kicks off at the Curzon Mayfair with Ralph Fiennes stroke Donald Sutherland stroke Lara Flynn Boyle in Land of the Blind.
After that you can pick from a further 21 films over the ten day run celebrating the festival's tenth year here in London. Keep an eye out for Timothy Spall's turn as notorious hangman Albert Pierrepoint:
PIERREPOINT is the devastating, true-life story of Albert Pierrepoint, Britain's most notorious hangman. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle before him, Albert joins the “family business” in 1934. He rises through the ranks to become the most feared and respected executioner in the country, hanging over 600 people before his sudden resignation in 1956. Living a double life as a master hangman and humble grocery deliveryman/loyal husband, Pierrepoint's obsession to become the “Number One” executioner in the land results in him executing some of Britain's most infamous murderers and Nazi war criminals. But this also shatters Pierrepoint's jealously guarded anonymity, turning him into a minor celebrity. As his two lives collide and 1950's public opinion turns against capital punishment, Pierrepoint is troubled by his notoriety and ready to give it all up— but fate has other plans in store for him. Featuring an outstanding performance by Timothy Spall as the executioner struggling with his work, duty, and conscience, this is a gripping tale of crime, punishment, and redemption.
Don't forget to check out the main Human Rights Watch website to keep track of the stuff that (sadly) inspires the film makers.
Also of interest is the Romanian Film Festival that kicked off yesterday plus there's still time to check out the Italian B movies that we plugged last month.
