With so many great films to see and so little time in which to see them, Cinemoi has put together a list of the ‘Top 10’ films featuring in this year’s programme at the London Film Festival.

Some choices feature some of the biggest stars in world cinema, while others highlight the emerging talent of up and coming new filmmakers.

With a fantastic blend of cinema from different genres and nationalities, the 2011 LFF is going to be a vintage year. And we can’t wait for the fun to begin!

Cinémoi’s Top 10 Films to see at the 55th London Film Festival Part 1

The Artist Dir. Michel HazanaviciusCast: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo

It seems that silent cinema isn’t dead after all! Harking back to the bygone era of silent Hollywood film, the invention of sound and the popularity of the ‘talkies’ threatens to put George Valentin out of a job. Despite the impending dawn of a new era of cinema, Valentin stubbonly continues making what he thinks will be his masterpiece.

The Artist is a film that celebrates cinema’s history, but it is also an engaging, funny and romantic story with central performances that will just blow you away. Winner of the Best Actor award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for his performance as George Valentin, Jean Dujardin is an extraordinary acting talent because of his skill as a dancer and performer. He himself is an actor of a bygone era, but his work in The Artist makes him one for the future as well. The Artist might just be the surprise hit of this year’s festival. So watch out!

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Junkhearts

Dir. Tinge KrishnanCast: Eddie Marsan, Romola Garai

Junkhearts is a very stark and vivid portrayal of human life amongst the urban landscape. When Frank, an ex-soldier who is haunted every night by his violent past, offers to help a home-less teenager, Christine, a relationship flourishes between the two as they become friends and help each other overcome their personal troubles. When Christine’s dangerous and manipulative boyfriend comes to stay, Christine and Frank’s friendship is threatened and Frank’s kindness abused. After looking for redemption for so long, Frank and Christine come in danger of losing everything they’ve worked hard to overcome.

Eddie Marsan once again shows his ability to morph into different roles and personas. As the reclusive, yet kind hearted, Frank, Marsan adds a weaker and more vulnerable side to a character than we’ve seen from him before, further establishing him as one of Britain’s best actors in modern times. Despite the bleak and often unnerving style of the film, Junkhearts shows the value and power that independent British cinema has. Independent British cinema often cuts to the heart of life in Britain, revealing a darker side that is all too frequently left unturned. With a visceral style and endearing spirit, Junkhearts is a new British film to watch out for.

would have known Clooney, an A-list Hollywood star, had such strong political sensibilities?

Based on Beau Willimon’s award-winning play Farragut North, The Ides of March has a contemporary feel on the dark secrets behind political campaigns. Gosling stars as press spokesman Stephen Myers, the chief behind the presidential campaign for candidate Governor Morris (Clooney), but who eventually finds himself on the dark side of the political wrangling for power and position. With traditional themes of loyalty, morality and deception, combined with sharp dialogue, The Ides of March is a film that speaks of the modern generation with drama as much as it does politics.

The Ides of March

Dir. George Clooney Cast: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Ryan Gosling’s astronomic rise to becoming one of Hollywood’s leading men continues as he stars in George Clooney’s fourth feature as a director. Having already tackled issues to do with media and politics during the McCarthy era of 1950s America with Good Night, and Good Luck, Clooney has returned with a modern angle along similar lines. Who

Shame

Dir. Steve McQueenCast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan

After previously collaborating together for the McQueen’s debut feature Hunger, Fassbender and McQueen are back with the tale of a sex addict that oozes with themes of obsession and hidden truths. Fassbender plays Brandon,

an attractive and successful corporate professional, whose constant cycle of sexual partners and encounters is thrown into flux when his sister arrives on his doorstep. Brandon’s unruly sister, played by the electric Carey Mulligan, adds emotional depth to the piece by ejecting her brother’s life into a new cycle of which he has little control over.

McQueen’s fine work with Hunget continues with a visually impressive and arresting captur-ing of New York in all its eye cathing glory and seediness. Fassbender particularly impresses in what has proven so far to be a fruitful role for the actor. After picking up the Best Actor award at Venice this year, Fassbender could be on his way to further glory. Some time in February 2012 perhaps?

Into The Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life

Dir. Werner Herzog

The famed Bavarian tones of Werner Herzog return for another look into the abyss of human existence. After filming the incredible Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Herzog points his camera and aims his questions at a group of convicted murderers who await their piunishment on Death Row. With a fearless style of questioning, but respectful at all times, Herzog gets the answers that few other documentary filmmakers can get. His beautifully posed questions open up intriguing and previously unexposed answers to the reality of those who face certain death. To Hezog these few are the ones whose destiny is decided for them, they know when they will die, where as the rest of us wait, uncertain of what fate will befall us.

Herzog is an astonishing filmmaker who can turn seamlessely from making fictional features to documentaries. His lyrical and metaphorical narrations capture audiences in his pursuit of finding the truth of the subject he photographs. If you’re new to the work of Werner Herzog and are looking for a place to start, look no further that Into The Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life.