London Archive Film Festival

THURSDAY, 1 MAY 2014
THE KING OF MONT VENTOUX (Belgium, 2013) 52 min
Written and directed by Fons Feyaerts
The King of Mont Ventoux is a synchronized virtual race using archive footage of five historical climbs resulting in a fictional contest where Merckx, Bernard, Pantani, Virenque and Garate compete against each other in an exciting race that remains undecided until the last mile. Alongside this imaginary race, this innovative film also offers a unique reflection on the history of cycling as a sport. Four of these champions are interviewed while they watch this new competition. As four of these champions watch this new race for the first time, they react ‘live’to the outcome. At the same time, they look back on their own career, the evolution of the cycling competition, the philosophy of their sport and what boundaries they pushed in order to achieve their ultimate victory.

Followed by Q and A with director, Fons Feyaerts

FRIDAY, 2 MAY 2014
THE LEBANESE ROCKET SOCIETY (Lebanon, France Qatar, 2013) 93 min
Directed by Khalil Joreige & Joana Hadjithomas 
The global obsession with space developed during the 50s and 60s grew out of the competition between the USA and the USSR, a time when worldwide revolution seemed like a possibility, a time for big ideas and ideologies. This obsession sets the stage for the extraordinary story of Lebanon's space programme. During the cold war and at the apex of Pan Arabism, a group of University students and researchers join the space race to create the Lebanese Rocket Society.

Followed by Q and A with directors, Khalil Joreige and Joana Hadjithomas

SATURDAY, 3 MAY 2014
DOUBLE BILL - SHOWN TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK -
CAN THERE REALLY BE SOMETHING WORSE THAN AN ED WOOD FILM?

DAD MADE DIRTY MOVIES (Bulgaria/Germany, 2011) 58min
 Written and directed by Jordan Todorov
The documentary, Dad Made Dirty Movies, chronicles the life and films of Stephen C Apostolof (aka A C Stephen) – a former political prisoner, devoted Christian and family man and one of the greatest erotic filmmakers in the US. The film traces A C Stephen's escape from Communist dictatorship in Bulgaria and his journey to Hollywood where he made his American dream come true. Over the course of a film career that lasted two turbulent decades A. C. Stephen made seventeen low-brow, low budget softcore films. Today A. C. Stephen's legacy lives on, ridiculed or revered by both critics and fans alike. A. C. Stephen has taken a permanent place in the B-movie culture and is widely recognized as one of the greatest American erotic filmmakers. Dad Made Dirty Movies takes the audience inside A. C. Stephen's amazing life story combining revealing interviews from his family and collaborators with archival footage and animated photographs. Followed by A C Stephen's renowned (for all the wrong reasons) feature, Orgy of the Dead.
Followed by Q and A with director, Jordan Todorov

ORGY OF THE DEAD (USA, 1965) 92 min
Director: Stephen Apostolof, Screenplay: Ed Wood based on his novel of the same name

While driving, Bob and his girlfriend Shirley crash on a dark road and wander into a nearby graveyard to find help. There they witness a bizarre orgy of the dead ruled by the Emperor of the Night and his lovely Empress. Taken prisoner by their minions, Bob and Shirley are tied to stakes and forced to watch beautiful half-naked ghouls dance for the Emperor’s entertainment. What fate awaits Bob and Shirley? That will be up to the Empress, who wants Shirley for their own erotic pleasure.
Introduced by David McGillivray
 
 
SUNDAY, 4 MAY 2104
ALL THIS CAN HAPPEN (UK, 2012) 50 min
Directed by Siobhan Davies and David Hinton

This beautifully choreographed compilation film invites you on a meditative walk through a not-so-distant past. A flickering dance of intriguing imagery brings to light the possibilities of ordinary movements from the everyday which appear, evolve and freeze before your eyes. Made entirely from archive photographs and footage from the earliest days of moving image, All This Can Happen follows the footsteps of the protagonist from the short story ‘The Walk’ by Robert Walser. Juxtapositions, different speeds and split frame techniques convey the walker’s state of mind as he encounters a world of hilarity, despair and ceaseless variety.
Followed by Q and A with directors, Siobhan Davies and David Hinton