FILMIC 2012

FILMIC is a new annual festival dedicated to the various intersections of music and film. Organised by St George’s and Watershed, it is intended to reflect the cultural interests of the city of Bristol – where music often suggests the filmic, even if there is no film involved – and to mix the work of local artists with that of major international figures. The inaugural 2012 event features four concerts at St George’s and a programme of film screenings and talks at Watershed.

The inaugural 2012 event features four concerts at St George’s and a programme of film screenings and talks at Watershed. The launch of FILMIC takes place at St George’s on Thursday 9 February with a performance by Australia’s sensational Spaghetti Western Orchestra (page 07), who appeared at the Proms last summer, followed by an aftershow party in the bar featuring composer Colin Tully and his band Sensoriumplaying Colin’s original music for ‘Gregory’s Girl’.

On Thursday 23 February (page 10), we present the double-bill of Rota / Morricone, with John Law performing solo piano versions of Nino Rota’s film themes followed by The Greatness of the Magnificence‘s ‘Looking for Ennio’, a magical tribute to Ennio Morricone from the fabulous collective of Bristol musicians led by Jesse Morningstar. On Thursday 8 March it’s the turn of the Dodge Brothers (page 12), film critic Mark Kermode‘s rocking and rootsy country-billy band, supported by south Devon’s bluegrass-picking twins, the Carrivick Sisters.

On Saturday 31 March (page 15) the festival reaches a fitting climax with the legendary film composer, songwriter and pianist Michel Legrand, who follows a rare ‘In Conversation With’ event and screening at Watershed at 2.30pm with a 7.30pm concert at St George’s which draws from the whole of his illustrious film career in sumptuous, mini-orchestral arrangements for piano and harp.

FILMIC at WATERSHED

Throughout February, Watershed screens a selection of classic Spaghetti Westerns curated by Sir Christopher Frayling, including ‘The Good, the Bad and The Ugly’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’, and hosts an illustrated talk from Frayling himself on the use of music in the genre on Sunday 5th February. In March Watershed focuses on the film music of Michel Legrand with the man himself taking part ‘In Conversation’ on Sat 31 March at the venue, ahead of his evening concert at St George’s. A programme of films featuring his original music is also being planned.