BFI London Film Festival: The 78 Project Movie

The romance of the road trip, the wonder of retro technology and the thrill of live performance combine to magical effect in this cinematic ode to American folk music.

Inspired by the work of pioneering ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax, director Alex Steyermark and sound recordist Lavinia Jones Wright lug their splendid 1930s Presto recorder across the US, capturing folk, punk, gospel and Cajun musicians performing folk songs of their choice. With one microphone and one blank disc, the cumbersome Presto offers just a three minute chance to record. The results are alchemic. As these extraordinary musicians listen back to their own 78s, through the warm hiss, pop and crackle of the acetate, it’s as though they’ve made a connection to the writers of the songs they’ve sung and the musicians who originally played them. [Stuart Brown]

Tickets for London Film Festival screenings can be purchased through the BFI and BFI Box Office 020 7928 3232 (9.30am-8.30pm daily) or the London Film Festival website: bfi.org.uk/lff