The Choral to open British Film Festival

THE Choral, starring Ralph Fiennes, will open the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival at Ballarat’s Palace Regent cinema.

Running from Wednesday 5 November until Sunday 7 December, the lineup will showcase new British releases, documentaries and retrospectives.

“The festival started approximately 15 years ago, and it showcases the very best of the new British films,” festival curator Kim Petalas said.

“Because Britain’s got such a rich tapestry of wonderful classic films, we also try to tap into that and screen a selection every year.

“It’s become one of the highest profile festivals across the Australasia cinema calendar.”

Wartime drama The Choral, directed by Nicholas Hytner, showcases a group of choralists who discover the joy of singing while male members face their imminent conscription.

The special presentation is Oliver Hermanus’s The History of Sound with Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. It is a decade-spanning romance that highlights the power of music.

Daniel Day-Lewis’s Anemone is this year’s festival centrepiece and is the directorial debut of his son Ronan Day-Lewis.

The film uncovers the complex relationships of brothers, fathers and sons.

Oscar winner Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet will close the festival with Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare.

“It’s the story of William Shakespeare and his wife and some of the tragedies that unfold in their life and lead Shakespeare to writing his greatest work Hamlet,” Mr Petalas said.

“The film has incredible performances… Jessie Buckly is extraordinary in the film.”

Mr Petalas said Australians will enjoy the festival due to our close connections to British culture.

“Australians have got such a great affinity with Britain,” he said.

Tickets are available at britishfilmfestival.com.au.