Cambridge Film Festival opens with Besson film

Luc Besson’s new costume drama The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec , starring Louise Bourgoin and Mattieu Amalric, is set to open the Cambridge Film Festival on 16 September.

Celebrating its 30th year, the festival selected Besson’s movie for its opening night because, according to Festival Director Tony Jones, “it’s a real return to form” for the French director.

“Luc Besson is a prolific writer, producer and director and a perennial favourite with Cambridge audiences,” says Jones.

“Over the years we’ve screened many of his films – Angel-A, Subway, The Last Battle, Leon, Nikita – so we’re thrilled to kick off our 30th edition with his latest, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec, a romping period adventure which marks a real return to form for the maverick French filmmaker.”

Taking place between 16-26 September, the Cambridge Film Festival is held primarily at the Arts Picturehouse, but screenings will also take place at the Jesus Green Lido, as well as by the river Cam.

Films set to make an appearance this year include sci-fi shocker Monsters, Rhys Ifans’ Mr Nice and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. There will also be a screening of the first ever 3D Kung Fu movie with Yuen Woo Ping’s True Legend .

Made In Dagenham , the new film from Nigel Calendar Girls Cole, will close the festivities. For more information on the festival, head on over to its official website here .

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.