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Programme highlights for January 2023 at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX

The BFI announces today the programme for January 2023 at BFI Southbank. Highlights include the first month of a complete two-month retrospective dedicated to master Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, the beginning of a three-month countdown of Sight and Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time 2022, following the results of the 10-yearly poll revealed on 1 December, and The Cinematic DNA of ENYS MEN, a season of films curated by BAIT director Mark Jenkin to mark the release of his new film ENYS MEN.

Described by Martin Scorsese as a cinematic ‘giant’, Akira Kurosawa’s influence on generations of international filmmakers cannot be overestimated. Many cite the legendary director as a source of inspiration for their own work, with his enduring titles such as IKIRU (1952), THRONE OF BLOOD (1957), THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958), YOJIMBO (1961) and RAN (1985) responsible for promoting Japanese cinema and culture to an international audience. KUROSAWA, a complete retrospective season, takes place across January and February and will include the BFI Distribution re-release of the director’s groundbreaking RASHÔMON (1950), in cinemas UK-wide and on BFI Player from 6 January.

The BFI Southbank retrospective, in partnership with the Japan Foundation, has been co-programmed by director Asif Kapadia and film author Ian Hadyn Smith. It has been arranged via six thematic strands so that audiences can easily delve into Kurosawa’s rich and varied filmography, his narrative preoccupations, finely drawn characters and cinematic visual style. In January, Kurosawa’s filmography is explored through the lens of Society, Social Status and Honour. Film screenings will include a one-off opportunity to see his masterpiece SEVEN SAMURAI (1954) on the biggest screen in the UK at the newly refurbished BFI IMAX.

Once a decade for the last seventy years, the editorial team at Sight and Sound, the BFI’s film culture magazine, has asked film critics, programmers and curators from around the world to contribute to a poll of the 100 Greatest Films of All Time. This eagerly anticipated moment within the global film community acts as a litmus test for where film culture stands today. After the 2022 poll results are announced on 1 December, from 1 January, a three-month season counting down the top 100 films kicks off at BFI Southbank. Many will debate over what deserves to be included, but one thing is beyond doubt – each of the 100 greatest films deserves to be seen on the big screen. Until the end of March, every film will be playing at BFI Southbank with Under 25s able to buy tickets from just £3.

Mark Jenkin’s The Cinematic DNA of ENYS MEN is a season of films curated by the director that have inspired and informed his second feature ENYS MEN, released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland by BFI Distribution on 13 January after premiering at the BFI London Film Festival. The films screening throughout the month at BFI Southbank are linked to ENYS MEN through form, content, or both, while others are examples of work made by people who were, and are, willing to take risks; to experiment, maybe even fail, all in the name of expanding the language of film. Among the titles screening in this season are BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO (Peter Strickland, 2012), DAGUERRÉOTYPES (Agnès Varda, 1975), HAUNTERS OF THE DEEP (Andrew Bogle, 1984), JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES (Chantal Akerman, 1975), LONG WEEKEND (Colin Eggleston, 1978), LOST HIGHWAY (David Lynch, 1977), PENDA’S FEN (Alan Clarke, 1974), REQUIEM FOR A VILLAGE (David Gladwell, 1975), THE STONE TAPE (Peter Sasdy, 1972), SYMPTOMS (José Ramón Larraz, 1974), TWO YEARS AT SEA (Ben Rivers, 2011) and WALKABOUT (Nicolas Roeg, 1971). Also screening will be Jenkin’s own critically acclaimed and much loved first feature BAIT (2019), which became a BAFTA-winning indie film success story through critical acclaim and word of mouth.

Jenkin will introduce a screening of ENYS MEN and take part in a Q&A on 13 January. On 14 January he will join filmmaker Ben Rivers for a post-screening discussion following Rivers’ TWO YEARS AT SEA.

Taking a meticulous approach to sound, Jenkin records dialogue, FX and atmospheres in post-production, leaving nothing to chance by recording on location. On 17 January he will be joined by Peter Strickland, another director for whom sound is as important as image, for Film Sounds: A Conversation Between Mark Jenkin and Peter Strickland.

Further highlights of this month’s events programme include the Woman with a Movie Camera Summit on 14 January. This year the programme focuses on creativity and exploration. Summit passes will give access to a day packed with talks, Q&As and panel discussions with filmmakers, curators and creatives, as well as workshops and drop-ins. The full programme lineup and ticket information will be posted online in early January. A number of talks and panels will be available to watch on the BFI YouTube channel in addition to Woman with a Movie Camera film collections on BFI Player.

Woman with a Movie Camera also presents a preview of ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED (2022) on 14 January. Director Laura Poitras examines the life and career of legendary photographer and activist Nan Goldin, and her efforts to hold Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family, accountable for the opioid crisis. It is a powerful and intimate portrait, weaving together Goldin’s art and personal archives with interviews and protest footage. An inspiring call to arms, this Venice Golden Lion winner is one of the best documentaries of the year and had its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.

A TV preview of THE GOLD (Aneil Karia, 2022) takes place on 17 January. Inspired by the largest robbery in British history, this is a story of class, greed and personal tragedy in an era when cheap money and slashed regulations created a world full of ambition and criminality. Hugh Bonneville, Jack Lowden, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Spencer, director Aneil Karia and writer Neil Forsyth join us for a Q&A following the first episode.

A special screening of BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (Justin Lin, 2002) plays on 22 January. The solo directorial debut feature from Justin Lin is a darkly comedic gem, telling the story of a group of overachieving, affluent and bored Asian-American high-schoolers who dabble in petty crime. But their side scams and casual drug dealing soon result in mayhem. This screening is presented by programming collective MilkTea and will feature a spoken word performance by Sky Yang followed by a virtual Q&A with Justin Lin.

NOLLY (Peter Hoar, 2022) previews on 26 January followed by a Q&A with writer Russell T Davies, actor Mark Gatiss, executive producer Nicola Shindler and director Peter Hoar. It’s an outrageously fun and wildly entertaining ride through Noele Gordon’s most tumultuous years; a sharp, affectionate and heart-breaking portrait of a forgotten icon. NOLLY is a bold exploration of how the establishment turns on women who refuse to play by the rules and a love letter to a legend of television.

Mark Kermode, one of the nation’s most respected film critics, returns with MARK KERMODE LIVE IN 3D AT THE BFI on 23 January. Joined by surprise industry guests, Kermode explores, critiques and dissects new and upcoming releases, film news, cinematic treasures and guilty pleasures.