It's finally here

Today marks the opening day of the 42nd London film festival and things are starting to get a bit mental. We've had lots of little mentions in things, and a lot of them say there's quite a buzz about 1234, all very nice, but I do hope it doesn't get too out of hand and lead people to think the film is something it's not. It's a nice, little film, and in someways I think it's better knowing very little and being surprised than by being told too much and not having your expectations fulfilled. In fact, that's always right, not just in some ways.

First up today was the Guardian Podcast alongside Lyndsey Marshal. This was done by Xan Brooks and Jason Solomons from the Observer / Guardian. It was very relaxed and quite good fun, though as usual I rambled on too much. Jason hadn't seen the film yet, but Xan had (he interviewed me about the LFF a couple of days before) and said he liked it. All in all, quite easy.

Then it was off to radio five live to be interviewed on the Simon Mayo show. Thankfully Michael Hayden from the LFF was there as well, which took some of the preassure off, but it's still really nerve-wracking thinking that something like half a million people are listening. Try as you might to forget it you're always aware of that fact and it makes everything very tricky. Simon Mayo was very nice, Michael was as complimentary as ever about the film, and then the man from the Film Council came on and said nice things about it as well. Overall, not nearly as easy as the podcast but OK.

Was dreading the next one, a live interview with SKY TV. Radio seems much less harrowing to do than TV full stop, but a live piece filled me with a degree of terror. And then, once again, Madonna gave the world of cinema a proverbial kicking by announcing her divorve thereby moving the LFF off the top spot and bouncing my proposed interview right off the schedule. Was hugely relieved.

Now just have to have a shower and change into my smart suit and it's off to the Hilton for the opening night party. No idea what it's going to be like, but I bet Madonna doesn't turn up.