What's Coming to TV soon

BBC Films has already had a high number of TV premieres in the schedules. Highlights have included Sam Mendes’ poignant relationship drama REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, which reunited the Titanic pairing of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio; Julien Temple's colourful delve into the archives for documentary LONDON - THE MODERN BABYLON; Jane Campion’s lyrical telling of the impassioned romance between the poet Keats and his lover, BRIGHT STAR with Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish; teen horror movie TORMENTED, starring heartthrob Alex Pettyfer; and PERFECT SENSE, a passionate love story set against the backdrop of an apocalyptic world event, starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green, from director David Mackenzie.

In the months ahead into 2013 you can look forward to an equally eclectic mix of titles - featuring every genre from family films to documentary features.

Ralph Fiennes’ CORIOLANUS opened to critical acclaim when released in cinemas last year. BBC TV audiences will soon be able to view Fiennes’ gutsy and visceral modern day interpretation of the Shakespeare classic. As well as playing the eponymous ‘hero of Rome’, Fiennes also moves behind the camera for his directorial debut. And his finely assembled cast includes Vanessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler, Brian Cox, Jessica Chastain and James Nesbitt.

James Marsh and Simon Chinn were the director/producer duo behind the Oscar®-winning documentary Man on Wire. Together again they bring to the screen PROJECT NIM, the absorbing tale of Nim, the chimp at the centre of a 1970s experiment in linguistics. Often shocking, but always compelling, Marsh constructs his film around candid interviews interspersed with unearthed archive footage.

From the director of Calendar Girls, Nigel Cole, comes MADE IN DAGENHAM. An incredible and little-known true-life story of the female Ford Dagenham machinists, whose industrial dispute with their employers over pay initiated more resounding changes than they ever anticipated. Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Geraldine James, Daniel Mays, Rosamund Pike and Jaime Winstone star.

THE FIRST GRADER is the unique and heart-warming true story of Maruge, a Kenyan freedom fighter who battles for his right to go to school for the first time – at the age of 84! Shot on location in Kenya in a real-life school, the film is infused with the spirit of infectious passion for learning. Oliver Litondo stars as Maruge, and Naomie Harris is the teacher who supports him.

YOU INSTEAD is a free-wheeling romantic-comedy from director David Mackenzie. The film features Luke Treadaway (Attack the Block) and Natalia Tena (Game of Thrones) as two feuding band-members handcuffed together during a music festival. With no key in sight, the pair endeavours to get through the weekend in any which way they can. Crazy ex’s, lunatic managers and even a celebrity cameo or two all feature in this fun film, set against a background of great live acts from artists as varied as Biffy Clyro and Paloma Faith. Shot over one weekend at Scotland’s premiere music festival, this is a unique and energetic film.

AFRICA UNITED tells the story of three Rwandan children and their bid to achieve their lifelong dream – to take part in the opening ceremony of the 2010 Football World Cup in Johannesburg. Debs Gardner-Paterson’s directorial debut consists of live action interspersed with bold animated sequences. Eriya Ndayambaje, Sanya Joanita Kintu, Roger Nsengiyumva, Sherrie Silver and Yves Dusenge star in this thrilling and challenging adventure in which children face adversity head-on.

For transmission dates and times, please look for updates in our ON TV section and follow the BBC Films Twitter feed.