“From Britain With Love”, a national touring showcase of six recent independent films produced in the United Kingdom tours the US. Curated by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, and in partnership with Emerging Pictures, the showcase will premiere at the Film Society of Lincoln Center on June 11 as part of the opening celebration for its state-of-the art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. Each of the films will be shown once at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and once downtown at the IFC Center. Simultaneous screenings will be held throughout the country through the Emerging Pictures digital cinema network (the largest all-digital specialty film and alternate content theatre network in the United States.) The series is also supported by partners: UK Trade and Investment, BAFTA, and Creative Screen Associates
screening in four Laemmle Theatre locations in the Los Angeles area from June 18 – July 24. Scott Foundas, Associate Program Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center said: “We’re delighted to be curating “From Britain with Love”, which highlights the exceptional vibrancy of the British film industry, and offers our audience a wonderful opportunity to engage with new emerging UK talent. I hope that US audiences enjoy discovering these wonderful films and see for themselves the vitality and diversity the British film industry has to offer.”
From Britain with Love (http://www.frombritainwithlove.org/) will be a ‘first’ in making high quality independent British films accessible to audiences across the United States, and will feature the screening of each film on multiple screens in digital cinemas.
The project was inspired by and follows on the success of an earlier, March 2010 UK/Indian initiative, “From Blighty With Love” which screened seven UK independent films – including “Man On Wire”, “Easy Virtue” and “In The Loop” – across 2K digital cinemas in three Indian cities: Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. The project‘s public relations campaign, online and cinema program succeeded in reaching over 35 million people, and sold a thousand tickets to India’s English-speaking audience.
“From Britain With Love” includes three films making their US Premiere: “Toast”, “In Our Name”, “Third Star” and three films that have had select festival screenings across the country: “A Boy Called Dad”, “Africa United” and “Neds”. The full line-up includes:
“Toast” (96 min) Director: S.J Clarkson
Based on the best-selling autobiography of food writer Nigel Slater, “Toast” is a delicious love letter to the tastes and smells that a young boy associates with his journey into adulthood. Starring Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter (“The King’s Speech”) and Freddie Highmore (“Charlie And The Chocolate Factory”) and adapted by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Lee Hall (“Billy Elliott”, Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse”) the film follows the boy’s difficulties communicating with his father following his mother’s death – all seen through his connection to food. The film also stars Ken Stott. Saturday, June 18, 11 AM & Sunday, June 19, 11 AM
“in Our Name” (90 min) Director: Brian Welsh
Winner of ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ for lead actress Joanne Froggatt at the 2010 British Independent Film Awards, the film follows the experiences of a British soldier following 
her return to civilian life after a tour of duty in Iraq. Haunted by the responsibility she feels for the death of an Iraqi child during her service, she becomes obsessed with protecting her own daughter. “In Our Name” marks the first time a British film has dealt with the aftermath of war from a female point of view. The film also stars Mel Raido and Chloe-Jayne Wilkinson. Saturday, June 25, 11 AM & Sunday, June 26, 11 AM
“Africa United” (98 min) Director: Debs Gardner-Paterson
The extraordinary story of three Rwandan children who walk 3000 miles to the World Cup in South Africa, Gardner-Paterson’s adventure focuses on a fantastic journey undertaken by the kids as they attempt to trek across seven countries, negotiating their way through a series of glorious, dangerous, hilarious and often bizarre situations on the way to their goal. The cast includes Eriya Ndayambaje, Rogernsengiyuma, Sayu Joanita Kintu and Sherrie Silver. Saturday, July 2, 11 AM & Sunday, July 3, 11 AM
“Third Star” (92 min) Director: Hattie Dalton
The feature directing debut by BAFTA short film winner Dalton, ‘Third Star” stars Benedict Cumberbatch (star of Danny Boyle’s National Theater production of Frankenstein and Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse”) as a young man diagnosed with a terminal illness who joins three of his lifelong friends for an adventure in a stunning coastal retreat. The closing night film at the 2010 Edinburgh Film Festival, ‘Third Star” also stars JJ Feild (“Captain America: The First Avenger”), Tom Burke and Adam Robertson.
Saturday, July 9, 11 AM & Sunday, July 10, 11 AM
“Neds” (124 min) Director: Peter Mullan
Written and directed by the Cannes award-winning Scottish actor (“My Name Is Joe”), “Neds” stars Conor McCarron as a young man who joins a gang of NEDs (Non-Educated Delinquents). As his rage and frustration within their savage life on the streets spin him further and further out of control, he finds himself left with one extraordinary chance at redemption. The cast includes Mullan, Louise Goodall and Gregg Forest.
Saturday, July 16, 11 AM & Sunday, July 17, 11 AM
“A Boy Called Dad” (80 min) Director: Brian Percival
The debut feature from BAFTA short film winner Brian Percival follows the story of a boy thrust into early adulthood when he becomes a father at the age of 14. Newcomer, Kyle Ward, delivers an impressive performance as the young boy and Ian Hart (“Backbeat”, “Harry Potter And The Philosopher’ Stone”) plays the boy’s father forced to confront his son’s newfound situation and help usher him into a life with increased responsibilities, that neither of them have any choice but to embrace.
Saturday, July 23, 11 AM & Sunday, July 24, 11 AM
Screenings will be held at the following Laemmle Theatre locations:
Laemmle Monica 4-Plex 1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica,
Laemmle Playhouse 7 673 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena,
Laemmle Town Center 5 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino
Laemmle Claremont 5 450 West 2nd Street, Claremont,
SCREENING SCHEDULE
“Toast” Saturday, June 18, 11 AM & Sunday, June 19, 11 AM
“In Our Name” Saturday, June 25, 11 AM & Sunday, June 26, 11 AM
“Africa United” Saturday, July 2, 11 AM & Sunday, July 3, 11 AM
“Third Star” Saturday, July 9, 11 AM & Sunday, July 10, 11 AM
“Neds” Saturday, July 16, 11 AM & Sunday, July 17, 11 AM
“A Boy Called Dad” Saturday, July 23, 11 AM & Sunday, July 24, 11 AM