Season 12: September to December 2019
Season 12 runs from September to December 2019 with films screening on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. We have fantastic British comedy, two great recent pieces of world cinema, we revisit some overlooked modern films and end with our traditional alternative Christmas film - it's a cracker!
Tuesday Sept 3rd 2019
Old Boys (12A)
UK. 2018. Comedy. 93 minutes.
Rising British star Alex Lawther leads this charming 1980s school-set re-working of Cyrano de Bergerac. Lawther plays Amberson, an awkward but imaginative pupil who helps the handsome but spectacularly dim school-hero, Winchester, pursue the fiery daughter of a visiting French teacher. This feature length debut from BAFTA nominated British director Toby MacDonald is a funny and heartwarming new take on a classic.
“It takes two elements - the story of Cyrano de Bergerac and a British same-sex boarding school - that have already been mined extensively by film-makers over the years. And it somehow manages to create something fresh and distinctive.” The Observer
Tuesday Sept 17th 2019
Three Identical Strangers (12A)
USA. 2018. Documentary. 97 minutes.
In 1980 three strangers are reunited by astonishing coincidence after being born identical triplets, separated at birth, and adopted by three different families. Their feel-good story instantly becomes a global sensation complete with fame and celebrity, however, the fairy-tale reunion sets in motion a series of jaw dropping events as they dig deeper into their origins. With twists and turns to rival any thriller, Three Identical Strangers is one of the most acclaimed documentaries of recent years.
“It combines interviews, archive footage and dramatic reconstructions to take us as close in to the story as possible, not coming to any conclusions. You won't be able to look away.”
London Evening Standard.
Tuesday October 1st 2019
Sneakers (15)
USA. 1992. Drama. 122 minutes
Robert Redford plays Martin Bishop, head of an eccentric team of computer and espionage experts who become involved in a government plot to steal a piece of advance code-breaking technology. An all-star cast including Ben Kingsley and Sidney Poitier star in this smart, light-hearted heist caper from the writer/director of Field of Dreams. Overlooked on its original release, but more than worthy of a second look, this is gloriously enjoyable mainstream cinema at its best.
“Right up to an ending designed to crack the sternest critical poker face; this is gourmet popcorn of the highest order.” Time Out
Tuesday October 15th 2019
Arctic (15)
Iceland/US. 2018. Drama. 96 minutes. (Subtitled)
Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen makes a long overdue debut appearance in our schedules with this ‘man against the elements’ thriller. Mikkelsen’s Overgård is stranded in the Arctic after an airplane crash and must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown in hopes of making it out alive. With gorgeous cinematography and sparse dialogue this is one not to be missed. Mikkelsen called it the hardest shoot he’d ever been involved with, it looks well worth the effort.
“It would be easier to count the words spoken in Joe Penna's survival thriller Arctic than the number of beats your heart skips while watching it..”
Toronto Star
Tuesday November 5th 2019
Once (15)
UK. 2007. Drama with music. 85 minutes.
Whilst busking on the streets of Dublin, a struggling songwriter meets a young Czech flower seller. The two of them quickly discover a shared passion for music and spend the next few days recording his songs and falling in love. Boasting a superb folk inflected soundtrack, Director John Carney went on to make Begin Again and Sing Street, both gorgeous films with music at the centre, Once is where he started, a raw, honest film with a big romantic heart. Probably the best shoe-string budget musical ever made.
"A rare innocence and a fresh approach to filmmaking make this a thoroughly charming and unconventional love story."
Film4
Tuesday November 19th 2019
Styx (12A)
Germany. 2018. Drama. 95 minutes. (Subtitled)
German actor Susanne Wolff has been picking up the plaudits for her starring role in this timely and gripping drama. A busy doctor (Wolff) plans to spend her annual holiday fulfilling her long-held wish of sailing from Gibraltar to the small Atlantic island of Ascension. Everything changes when she sees a damaged and overloaded boat full of refugees nearby. Despite being warned by the authorities not to intervene, she begins to help them but slowly starts to fear that it will be impossible. Addressing a pressing issue with physical and immersive filmmaking, this is a must see.
“It's a vital, highly intelligent movie that is both a first-class thriller and a biting commentary on our current world.”
Time Out
Tuesday December 3rd 2019
Support The Girls (15)
USA. 2018. Comedy Drama. 88 minutes.
This highly rated film was one of Barack Obama’s favourites of 2018, and we’ll take a recommendation from him any day! Lisa Conroy (Regina Hall) is the general manager at sports bar, Double Whammies, she’s come to love the place and its customers and acts as a mother to the girls working there. But over the course of one trying day, her optimism is battered from every direction, the bar sells a big American fantasy, but what happens when reality pokes a bunch of holes in it? This funny and smart workplace comedy features a sparkling female ensemble and will touch a nerve with anyone who’s ever found it hard to stay positive.
"A remarkably compassionate portrait of American womanhood that inspires hope without denying reality."
The Independent
Tuesday December 17th 2019
Surprise Xmas Film! (12A)
Not telling!
Well, the surprise with last year’s surprise Christmas film was the power cut halfway through! We hope to make it to the end this year with a film that although not a 'Christmas' film, has more than enough Christmas themes and values to make up for it. As always there’s free mulled wine, tea, coffee and cakes to make it extra festive, and all tickets are just £5.
The film will only be announced just before it starts, we won't give you anymore clues, except to say that its not long and depressing, its a lovely warm hearted comedy.
Come along and join us for the last film of our Twelfth Season, we promise you may not have seen anything like it before, but you'll love it!
Merry Christmas!