Tue 1 Dec 6.30pm

Duke of York’s Picturehouse

DIRECTOR: Andrew Kötting. STARRING: Jean-Luc Bideau, Jacob Auzanneau, Adelaide Leroux, Aurelia Petit, Xavier Tchili, Capucine Aubriot, Manon Aubriot. France/ UK 2009. 100 mins. French with English subtitles.

Andrew Kötting’s third feature after GALLIVANT and THIS FILTHY EARTH highlights his ability to create the most striking of visual images and here it is melded to a strong narrative that makes for an effective, emotionally charged and haunting film. In the French Pyrenees, teenage Alex (Jacob Auzanneau) shares a close relationship with his older sister Freya . On the eve of her departure to Russia their relationship almost spills over into something more serious but they are caught their overbearing father. Alex is forbidden to set foot on the family land again. Taking this command literally, Alex makes for the rooftops, living in the canopies of forest surrounding the family home. As summer rolls into winter Alex observes the disintegration of his family but is too stubborn to return until the fall out escalates further. Dappled with intriguing segments archive footage from the Screen Archive South East, and an inventive, engaging soundtrack, IVUL is wonderfully offbeat work of great heart and beauty.

Q&A: Director Andrew Kötting will take part in a Q&A following the screening.