UK

The eighth episode in the world’s longest-running documentary series: every seven years British director Michael Apted visits the people he first interviewed about their dreams and aspirations when they were seven years old.

Inspired doco about 60s death squads who executed over a million Indonesian communists, made in collaboration with the executioners. “I have not seen a film as powerful, surreal and frightening in at least a decade.” — Werner Herzog

This year’s programme is designed for the entertainment pleasure of audiences aged 7-10.

The latest from Ben Wheatley, the award-winning director of previous NZIFF hits Kill List and Sightseers, is a psychedelic folk-horror set during the English Civil War, likely to delight and perplex in equal measure.

Two remarkable young actresses, Elle Fanning and Alice Englert (Beautiful Creatures), illuminate Sally Potter’s coming-of-age tale set in a pre-feminist 60s London bohemia.

Direct from the Midnight Movie slot at Cannes. “Juggling three versions of the same scenario à la Run Lola Run... a racy mash-up of Tarantino-esque ultra-violence and gritty but hip contemporary Mumbai actioners.” — Variety

A loving tribute to small-scale farming. “A keenly observed, beautifully filmed documentary about a Sussex farmer struggling to survive in a world of big supermarkets and oppressive health and safety regulations.” — Evening Standard

Direct from Cannes, the latest entry from Jim Jarmusch, past master of punk cool. Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton are Adam and Eve, blood-sipping lovers since time began. “Passionate and consummately chic.” — Screendaily

Stand-up psychoanalytic cultural theorist Slavoj Žižek gets inside some epochal movies -Jaws, Taxi Driver, Titanic, The Sound of Music and many more – to explore what they were really trying to tell us. Provocative and funny.

Close-up view of anti-Putin Russian art/punk/performance troupe Pussy Riot staging their 'interventions’ – and on trial for hooliganism in a Moscow cathedral. “Electrifying.” — Now

The notable British film at Cannes is the tale of two Bradford boys who fall in with a horse-racing scrap metal dealer. “Heartfelt and passionate, fluent and supremely confident... this is a heart-wrenching movie.” — The Guardian

Ken Loach (The Angels’ Share) evokes the collective spirit that won World War II, carried over into the 1945 Labour election victory and welfare states policies in the UK. “A lament, a celebration and a wake-up call.” — Time Out London

Welcome to beautiful Niaqornat, Greenland, pop: 59, and an affectionate account of a year in the life of its hardy inhabitants. “A winning blend of human stories and ravishing Nordic landscapes.” — Hollywood Reporter

In May 1971, Roman Polanski went to Monaco with documentarian Frank Simon to shadow the world’s greatest Formula One racer, Jackie Stewart. The resulting film was praised by racing enthusiasts but considered too specialised for wide release.

A moving portrait of the British war photographer and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Tim Hetherington, featuring many of his acclaimed photographs and video reports. Directed by his friend and Restrepo co-director, journalist Sebastian Junger.

A handful of the 8,000 candidates who vie for 176 places are put through gruelling competition as the British Army recruits a new intake for its Gurkha force.