The film marks Sam Taylor-Wood’s directorial debut and she graced the red-carpet in a beautiful gold gown, accompanied by the film’s lead actor – who’s also now her boyfriend – 19 year-old Aaron Johnson.

Of course we were there to report on all the glamour, plus take a look at why the London Film Festival is so special.

Aaron Johnson as John Lennon

Renowned artist Sam Taylor-Wood has taken a big leap into the world of cinema, making her directorial debut with Nowhere Boy, a biopic of John Lennon’s early years growing up in Liverpool during the 50s.

The film’s been hotly anticipated – especially as Taylor-Wood is now dating lead actor Aaron Johnson, who, at 19 years old, is 23 years her junior – and received its world premiere at the festival’s Closing Night Gala.

Although the director may be a rookie the cast is strong, with emotional performances from Kristin Scott Thomas, Anne-Marie Duff and David Morrissey. And, while surrounded by experienced co-stars, Johnson competently carries the film as a cocky yet confused Lennon.

The story focuses on Lennon’s relationships with his estranged mother (Duff) and his Aunt Mimi (Scott Thomas), the latter of whom raised him since he was a small boy. As a teenager, Lennon reconnects with his wild and endearing mum, who introduces him to guitars and singing, providing escapism from the depressing, suffocating atmosphere at Mimi’s.

Those looking forward to some good old rock ‘n’ roll to tap their feet to won’t be disappointed; from Lennon’s first band, the Quarrymen, to Duff’s banjo playing, the sound manages to capture the era’s musical shift. Also of note is Thomas Sangster – who you’ll remember as Liam Neeson’s son in Love, Actually – whose calm and charming portrayal of Paul McCartney is the perfect counterbalance to Johnson’s brash Lennon.

It’s an intense story and it’s impossible not to invest in the rich characters; without a doubt, it’s an impressive debut for Taylor-Wood. Be warned though: it’s an emotional journey – you might want to come prepared to shed a tear or two along the way.

Angelica Huston with Tahar Rahim, winner for A Prophet

Last night’s award ceremony proved to be a high-profile affair with the festival giving away accolades for Best Film (the first time the BFI have offered such a prize), The Sutherland award for ‘original and imaginative first feature screening’ and the gong for Best British Newcomer.

The Best Film shortlist was comprised of Balibo, Bright Star, Fantastic Mr Fox, MICMACS, The White Ribbon, A Prophet, A Serious Man and The Road, decided by an impressive Jury that boasted Angelica Huston as head Juror and also featured Charlotte Rampling, Jarvis Cocker and Brit director Iain Softly. While much of the award buzz had concentrated on the Jury leaning in favour of the only Brit contender (Sam Taylor-Wood for Nowhere Boy), the surprise recipient was superb French prison drama A Prophet. The award was picked up by actor and star of the film newcomer Tahar Rahim, who couldn’t stop smiling. Expect big things for Rahim, he’s currently shooting with director Kevin MacDonald on his latest The Eagle of the Ninth.

In other categories, the Sutherland award went to young directors Yaron Shani, an Israli, and Shahir Kabaha, a Palestinian, for their gripping crime drama, Ajami, set in the occupied territories. While screenwriter Jack Thorne picked up the prize for Best British Newcomer for his screenplay for Brit drama, The Scouting Book for Boys, which sees This is England actor Thomas Turgoose star in a bleak coming-of-age drama.

With sufficient amounts of champagne flowing and with support from an high-profile film talent, the festival has set the stage for an influential and promising award ceremonial each year, that should be a worthy note to the international festival circuit.

We also learnt about Stephen Poliakoff’s penchant for drinking straws…. weird but true.

Un Prophete at the London Film Festival

The Sight and Sound gala screening of Cannes Jury Prize winner Un Prophete (A Prophet) went down a storm over the weekend. And highlighted once again the stiff competition facing films in the inaugural ‘Best Film’ category introduced this year. (For the record, other films on the shortlist are: Balibo, Bright Star, Fantastic Mr Fox, MICMAC, Nowhere Boy, A Prophet, The Road, A Serious Man, The White Ribbon).

A Prophet would be a deserved winner, but I feel that when the Jury announce their decision tonight, it might lean in favour of the the only Brit entry (and Closing Night film) Nowhere Boy, in keeping with the festival’s British roots. However they could do a lot worse then plumping for A Prophet.

Director Jacques Audiard (The Beat that My Heart Skipped) French prison drama is a tense, at times violent, political look at life in a tough French prison, following the actions of 19-year old Malik El Djebena (newcomer Tahar Rahim). Malik enters prison with no history, no family and no friends (we never find out why he’s serving a six year sentence), an ‘Arab’ but not Muslim, he falls into no-mans land below the ‘Coriscans’, a group of prisoners who seemingly run the prison from the inside and the ‘Muslims’ – and goes to any means necessary in order to survive.

Malik’s journey is fascinating and Audiard’s look at the French political system and attitudes to faith are insightful. One of the best Prison drama’s i’ve seen in recent years.

Balibo

Director Robert Connelly’s Balibo proves to be a highlight of The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival so far, and is a strong contender in the first ‘Best Film’ award. No mean feat as it sits alongside some stiff competition, including John Hillcoat’s The Road, which went down a storm when it showed at the end of last week and Closing Night film, Nowhere Boy, Sam Taylor-Wood’s look at the formative years of John Lennon.

Set in 1975, Balibo follows one man’s mission to uncover the truth about the disappearance of five Australian journalists, on the border of East Timor. Based on real events, this brutally honest biopic follows war correspondent Roger East (Anthony LaPaglia; Without a Trace) as he attempts to investigate the real cause of the of tragic events which transpired during Indonesia’s military campaign in the mid-seventies.

Connelly builds the suspense perfectly with LaPaglia giving a sturdy performance as “over-the-hill” journalist,  East, who is pulled into the centre of a corrupt war-zone. Óscar Isaac – recognisable as The Argentine in Che: Part One – delivers a believable performance as the young and charismatic Jose Ramos-Horta (East Timor’s second President and Nobel Peace Prize winner).

Balibo is an arresting political thriller that brings to the foreground a strong account of events that took place over 30 years ago. Aided  greatly by  journalist Jill Jolliffe’s book:  Cover Up: The Inside Story of the Balibo Five, which Connely based his screenplay on. The film’s release in Australia earlier this summer has already caused controversy with it awaking past political tensions between Indonesia and Australia.

Shocking as it is gripping, Balibo makes for poignant viewing. Currently without a distributer in the UK, we hope it gets a wider release.