Hey Lovelies, 

With the 59th BFI London Film Festival drawing closer and closer, it has been announced that the Archive Gala World Premiere will be of the legendary Anthony Asquith’s film ‘Shooting Stars’ which has been restored for the event!

The directors first ever film, shows incredible use of shooting styles, lighting and performances, as it follows two married stars and the man in which the wife becomes involved in, which was created after the director saw Chaplin working on his film ‘The Circus’ upon a trip to Hollywood and was inspired by what he saw. 

His modern tale, has been recreated by BFI experts for the big screen, as they worked to place together materials in which they held in their archives, as well as working alongside John Altman, who has created a new live score for the film to run alongside with. The composer is famous for his work on the ‘Titanic’ and ‘Goldeneye’ score and has won a number of awards for his work in both film and TV. 

Speaking about his new score, John Altman said, “For the new score I have been inspired by dance band sounds and Duke Ellington in 1927. It’s not a slavish period recreation but I have tried to find an appropriate way of reflecting some of the plot twists and ironic deceptions through a series of interlinked musical themes. The score will be played by a very versatile group of musicians and we will end up using almost as many instruments as a complete orchestra through the whole film. I hope that the music will carry audiences effortlessly through the emotional highs and lows of this brilliant film.”

While Robin Baker, Head Curator, BFI National Archive said, “We are delighted to be showcasing this remarkable film in a brilliant new restoration achieved after months of work from our dedicated teams at the BFI. Shooting Stars is a fascinating debut from one of Britain’s greatest film-makers and to see it with a newly commissioned score performed live in the Art Deco splendour of the Odeon Leicester Square promises to be a very special experience.”

The film received mixed reviews around the world, especially in the UK and America when it was first released and it looks set to prove or highlight if they were right or wrong, when it airs at the Odeon Leicester Square on the 16th October lovelies.