The Los Angeles Film Festival has announced that Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Erykah Badu and noted composer Daniele Luppi have been named Artists in Residence for this year’s festival, which opens June 16th and runs until the 26th. LAFF has also announced the addition of a conversation with Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine, who star in the festival-opening film “Bernie.” Two more films, Screen Gems’ “Attack the Block” and Lionsgate’s “The Devil’s Double” have been added to the Galas section.
In her position as Artist in Residence, Badu will host a screening of Ricky Gervais’ “The Invention of Lying,” followed by a discussion. Badu’s debut album, “Baduizm,” released in 1997, contains the Grammy winning song “On and On.” She recently released her fifth studio album, “New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh.”
Luppi will present a screening of Sergio Corbucci’s “Navajo Joe,” followed by a discussion of movies and music. Luppi has lent his expansive talents to artists such as Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse’s epic “Dark Night of the Soul” and Gnarls Barkley’s Grammy winning “St. Elsewhere.” His debut album, 2004’s “An Italian Story,” contains Luppi’s nod to the music from cinema that inspired him.
“To bring two artists of this pedigree and vision to the festival and expose audiences to their passionate movie choices is a privilege and an honor,” said LAFF Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham. “As exciting as it will be to see Erykah and Daniele’s selections through the lenses of their own work, the conversations that will follow will no doubt be unforgettable and illuminating, and amongst the most memorable experiences of the festival.”
Leonard Maltin will host the discussion with Black and MacLaine as part of the Festival Conversations series. The conversation will have a loosely structured, fun game show atmosphere, as the two comedic actors do their best to discuss their approaches to the craft and their careers.
“Attack the Block” is written and directed by Joe Cornish. It stars Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, and Franz Drameh. It comes from the producers of “Hot Fuzz” and “Shaun of the Dead,” and centers on the exploits of a gang of tough inner-city Londoners who do battle with savage alien invaders.
“The Devil’s Double” is directed by Lee Tamahori, and is written by Michael Thomas. It stars Dominic Cooper, Ludvine Sagnier, Mimoun Oaissa, and Raad Rawi. “The Devil’s Double” is based on a true story about an Iraqi army lieutenant who is ordered to become Uday Hussein’s body double.
