Birmingham 2024 Line Up
Layer Of Lies (15) + Q&A with Director Ramin Sohrab
Ramin Sohrab | 2022 | Finnish, Persian, English | Cert 15 | 90 mins
Returning to the big screen is FSFF 2023 official selection ‘Layer of Lies’ directed by and starring the multitalented Ramin Sorab, this time appearing in a live Q&A after the feature.
Layer of Lies centres around Ramin’s character Sam, who upon returning to Iran after many years in exile in Finland, finds that he has not yet escaped his past. A shady figure kidnaps his wife Emma (Jessica Wolff) in order to drag him into a violent scheme for revenge. But Sam is a relentless fighting machine who will stop at nothing to rescue the woman he loves. When it comes to deciding their future, the past will not stand in their way…
Layers of Lies is a highly cinematic adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride, showcasing the diverse and accomplished choreography and self-directed performance of Ramin Sorab, star and producer of previous Fighting Spirit entries; a directorial debut, this time on the big screen with a live Q&A, and not to be missed.
Enter the Clones of Bruce (18) + Q&A
David Gregory | 2023 | Cantonese, Mandarin, English, French, with English and Chinese subtitles | Cert 15 | 100 mins
When Bruce Lee died in 1973 at the peak of his superstardom, he had completed only four kung fu films. Having changed the face of cinema in just two short years, and leaving Hong Kong action films at an all time high and in demand across international markets, the vacuum left by Bruce was filled with a series of unauthorised biopics, sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and rip-offs starring a competing series of Lee lookalikes. Over the next decade, fuelled by both deception and demand, ‘Bruceploitation’ would become a staple of global cinema.
Award winning documentarian David Gregory, now examines this uniquely ‘70s phenomenon via interviews with Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Bruce Liang and Dragon Lee; martial arts movie legends that include Angela Mao, David Chiang, Phillip Ko, Casanova Wong, Yasuaki Kurata and Sammo Hung; and the producers, directors, distributors and experts – along with copious rare and restored clips from the films themselves – that reveal for the first time the history, controversy and legacy behind one of the most bizarre and successful genres in movie history.
Art of Crossing
Tobiasz Wałkiewicz | 2023 | Action, Comedy | 5 mins
Corporate employee and student follow the same path, but in opposite directions. A collision is inevitable. Passing by is the obvious solution to this problem. Only that despite their best efforts, they cannot do it. So they try harder.
Sunny
Ramin Sohrab | 2022 | English | Action | 5 mins
Patricia received the devastating news that Monique had been killed by a rival gang member. Devastated and filled with grief, Patricia vowed to seek revenge on the woman who had taken her true love away from her.
Ascendants
Leroy Kincaide | 2023 | English | Action, Sci-Fi | 14 mins
Two escaped detainees are forced into a fight for survival, after being tracked by a government agency looking to re-capture those people with superhuman abilities.
Varadhan
Ramesh Menon | 2023 | Malayalam | Action, Drama |11 mins
In a lawless land, a fugitive thief must confront his own past when he witnesses an execution he was never meant to see.
My Son, The Fighter
Alex Moore | 2023 | English | Documentary | 5 mins
A mother searches for understanding in her son's desires and ambitions of becoming an MMA fighter.
Paruthlaak
Arjun | 2023 | English | Action | 4 mins
In "PARUTHLAAK," we present one of our most captivating works, akin to an eagle methodically encircling its target before striking. The narrative follows an assassin under relentless pursuit and assault from his long-standing arch-nemesis, drawing a parallel to the eagle's hunting technique. Despite the challenge of crafting this concept within a mere three-day preparation period, devoid of pre-visualization, the design was executed successfully. The shoot, accomplished over a single night, stands as a testament to our team's exceptional collaboration and dedication, resulting in an impressive outcome.
Kin
James Waterhouse | 2023 | Action, Thriller | 8 mins
In a scorched lawless future, a mother with a baby attempts to steal supplies from a dangerous gang of survivors. She’s soon exposed and must fight her way out and escape to safety.
Swollen
Daniel Aranha Pedersen | 2023 | Danish | Drama | 18 min
A female MMA fighter struggles to introduce her boyfriend into her brutal world.