At the 89th MK3D show and the first in the BFI IMAX, its new home for the next four months. Mark celebrated BFI Flare which opens today, March 13 and runs until March 24, by welcoming three guests on the show to discuss films showing as part of the LGBTQIA+ festival this year.
But firstly, fresh off the back of the Oscars, where Oppenheimer took home seven awards, Mark opened the show by playing the trailer for Nolan’s 2023 film in all its IMAX glory. He spoke about his enjoyment of this year’s Academy Awards mostly due to their shorter running time, before welcoming his first guest onstage.
First up was Vicky Knight, who stars opposite Esmé Creed-Miles in Sacha Polak’s new film Silver Haze. Vicky spoke about working with Polak the second time around, having starred in the 2019 film Dirty God, and reflected on a newfound confidence that emerged since making her acting debut four years ago. She touched on the vulnerability of being in front of a camera, and cited Lady Gaga’s performance in the 2018 version of A Star Is Born as an impactful portrayal of growing in confidence when you’re in the spotlight.
Next, Mark welcomed Amrou Al-Kadhi and Bilal Hasna, the director and star of Layla which will open BFI Flare this year for its UK premiere. Amrou reflected on Layla’s success at its world premiere at Sundance, and spoke to Mark about the tragedy and comedy that is implicit in drag, commenting on Bilal’s character who is a non-binary drag queen trying to figure out their place in the queer scene. Bilal spoke about the feeling of liberation he felt when dressed in drag in the film, even when shooting at 7am on Ridley Road fish market. Mark also asked Bilal and Amrou about a moment from a film that had a profound impact on them, and while Bilal chose one of Tom Cullen’s understated monologues in Andrew Haigh’s 2011 film Weekend, Amrou chose a scene from the 2017 Portuguese film Body Electric, where the often marginalised gender queer figure is put centre stage in a night club scene.
In his Q&A with the audience, Mark answered questions on topics ranging from Curb Your Enthusiasm, to the inspiration behind the soundtrack in Todd Haynes’ recent film May December.
Welcoming his final guest of the night, Eddie Marsan to talk about his upcoming role as Mitch Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Back to Black, and about his previous work, Mark revealed that he and Eddie share the screen in the upcoming biopic on Brian Epstein, in which Mark’s band, The Dodge Brothers, make a cameo appearance.
Eddie reflected on the varied roles he played throughout his career, referring to Stanislavsky and his Russian drama teacher’s idea of the actors’ tool kit, which he compared to a mechanic’s tool kit, allowing him to work in a huge range of circumstances.
He picked out Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance in the Todd Solondz’ 1991 film Happiness as hugely influential, and shared some stories about the difference between acting in the US and the UK.
Mark finished the evening with a Sound and Vision segment to celebrate Judy Garland as Esther Hoffman in the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, closing the very first Mark Kermode Live In 3D at the BFI IMAX.
With thanks to Hedda Archbold, Charlotte Matheson, Nick Jones, Elspeth North and Sophie Kendrick for making it all run so smoothly. And of course to Julie Edwards Photography for the fabulous photographs.