September 2009- Transsiberian
Friday 11 September, 8pm
Transsiberian
Director: Brad Anderson, USA 15, 2008 111mins
‘gripping and gorgeously shot....exceptionally effective.’
Edinburgh Film Festival
Trainspotter husband Roy (Woody Harrelson) and
his understanding wife Jessie (Emily Mortimer), who
has a secret past she hopes to remain hidden, take
the Transsiberian Express from Bejing to Moscow.
They meet a charming young couple on the train
and become companions. It soon becomes clear
that the new friends are not as lovely as they
appear. As the pressure builds so does the suspense.
Enter ex-KGB police officer Grinko (Ben Kingsley)
investigating a drug-related murder and the
suspense intensifies to Hitchcockian proportions.
The stunning snow-covered scenery provides a
chilling backdrop to this nailbiting thriller.
Sponsored By
Transsiberian
Director: Brad Anderson, USA 15, 2008 111mins
‘gripping and gorgeously shot....exceptionally effective.’
Edinburgh Film Festival
Trainspotter husband Roy (Woody Harrelson) and
his understanding wife Jessie (Emily Mortimer), who
has a secret past she hopes to remain hidden, take
the Transsiberian Express from Bejing to Moscow.
They meet a charming young couple on the train
and become companions. It soon becomes clear
that the new friends are not as lovely as they
appear. As the pressure builds so does the suspense.
Enter ex-KGB police officer Grinko (Ben Kingsley)
investigating a drug-related murder and the
suspense intensifies to Hitchcockian proportions.
The stunning snow-covered scenery provides a
chilling backdrop to this nailbiting thriller.
Sponsored By
October 2009 - Let The Right One In
Friday 9 October, 8pm
Let The Right One In
Director: Tomas Alfredson, Sweden, 15, 2008 115 mins
‘funny, macabre and oddly moving.’ TheGuardian
A lonely and bullied 12 year old boy notices a
strange girl new to his apartment block. At the
same time, bloody murders are taking place in the
neighbourhood. As they become friends, the boy
realizes the truth – his new friend is a vampire,
protected and ‘fed’ by her custodian. But she is lonely
too and hungry for human love, however impossible
that might be. Despite the vampire theme, this film is
also a story of first love – touching, hopeless and at
times gently comic. There is a strong feeling of place
in the gripping winter cold of Sweden and the two
young actors are superb.
Sponsored By
Let The Right One In
Director: Tomas Alfredson, Sweden, 15, 2008 115 mins
‘funny, macabre and oddly moving.’ TheGuardian
A lonely and bullied 12 year old boy notices a
strange girl new to his apartment block. At the
same time, bloody murders are taking place in the
neighbourhood. As they become friends, the boy
realizes the truth – his new friend is a vampire,
protected and ‘fed’ by her custodian. But she is lonely
too and hungry for human love, however impossible
that might be. Despite the vampire theme, this film is
also a story of first love – touching, hopeless and at
times gently comic. There is a strong feeling of place
in the gripping winter cold of Sweden and the two
young actors are superb.
Sponsored By
November 2009 - Waltz with Bashir
Friday 13 November, 8pm
Waltz with Bashir
Director: Ari Folman, Isreal, 18. 2008, 90 mins
‘Spellbindingly intense.’ The Telegraph
An Israeli veteran of the 1982 Lebanese war attempts
to recover suppressed memories of Israeli complicity
in the Palestinian refugee camp massacres. As he
encounters other veterans, flashbacks gradually start
to reconstruct the truth. Surreal and often strangely
beautiful images reveal the confusion and horror
experienced by young conscripts swept into a civil
war they do not understand. The film technique, live
action digitally converted into animation, creates
a dream-like atmosphere, complementing the
theme of searching for lost memories. Powerful and
sometimes shocking, this animated documentary is
an extraordinary piece of filmmaking.
Sponsored By
Waltz with Bashir
Director: Ari Folman, Isreal, 18. 2008, 90 mins
‘Spellbindingly intense.’ The Telegraph
An Israeli veteran of the 1982 Lebanese war attempts
to recover suppressed memories of Israeli complicity
in the Palestinian refugee camp massacres. As he
encounters other veterans, flashbacks gradually start
to reconstruct the truth. Surreal and often strangely
beautiful images reveal the confusion and horror
experienced by young conscripts swept into a civil
war they do not understand. The film technique, live
action digitally converted into animation, creates
a dream-like atmosphere, complementing the
theme of searching for lost memories. Powerful and
sometimes shocking, this animated documentary is
an extraordinary piece of filmmaking.
Sponsored By
December 2009 - The Dish
Friday 11 December, 8pm
The Dish
Director: Rob Sitch, Australia, 12, 2000, 101 mins
‘one of those rare films you can take the whole family to
and reckon everyone will be happy.’ The Guardian
Based on a true story, The Dish takes a smart, witty
and comical look at the differing cultural attitudes
between Australia and the US while revisiting one
of the greatest events in history. Telling the story
of the 1969 moon landing from the viewpoint of
a small Australian town, this film has a sharp edge
of pathos which offsets some often very broad
humour. If you’re old enough to remember the
first moon landing, The Dish is guaranteed to leave
you with a lump in your throat, as memories flood
back of those heady days of discovery. And if you’re
not, the movie turns a history lesson into great
entertainment.
Sponsored By
The Dish
Director: Rob Sitch, Australia, 12, 2000, 101 mins
‘one of those rare films you can take the whole family to
and reckon everyone will be happy.’ The Guardian
Based on a true story, The Dish takes a smart, witty
and comical look at the differing cultural attitudes
between Australia and the US while revisiting one
of the greatest events in history. Telling the story
of the 1969 moon landing from the viewpoint of
a small Australian town, this film has a sharp edge
of pathos which offsets some often very broad
humour. If you’re old enough to remember the
first moon landing, The Dish is guaranteed to leave
you with a lump in your throat, as memories flood
back of those heady days of discovery. And if you’re
not, the movie turns a history lesson into great
entertainment.
Sponsored By
January 2010 - The Class
Friday 8 January, 8pm
The Class
Director: Laurent Cantet, France, 12a, 2008, 128 mins
Palme d’Or Cannes Film Festival 2008.
The tense environment of a tough multi-ethnic,
Paris school where culture and attitudes often
clash is revealed in this compelling drama. Based
on his autobiographical novel, Entre Les Murs,
former teacher Francois Begaudeau plays himself
as the idealistic teacher of a class of unruly 15 year
olds. Their spiky independence presents constant
challenges to his somewhat unconventional teaching
methods, ultimately leading to trouble. Featuring an
outstanding non-professional cast of teachers and
students this gripping and sharply observed film
offers a microcosm of contemporary society and the
difficult issues facing education today.
Sponsored By
The Class
Director: Laurent Cantet, France, 12a, 2008, 128 mins
Palme d’Or Cannes Film Festival 2008.
The tense environment of a tough multi-ethnic,
Paris school where culture and attitudes often
clash is revealed in this compelling drama. Based
on his autobiographical novel, Entre Les Murs,
former teacher Francois Begaudeau plays himself
as the idealistic teacher of a class of unruly 15 year
olds. Their spiky independence presents constant
challenges to his somewhat unconventional teaching
methods, ultimately leading to trouble. Featuring an
outstanding non-professional cast of teachers and
students this gripping and sharply observed film
offers a microcosm of contemporary society and the
difficult issues facing education today.
Sponsored By
February 2010 - Man On Wire
Friday 12 February, 8pm
Man On Wire
Director: James Marsh, UK/USA, 12a, 2008, 94 mins
2009 Oscar winner, best documentary.
August 1974, early morning – a French street
performer, Philippe Petit, walks for 45 minutes, at a
height of 1,350ft, on a slim steel wire connecting
the then newly constructed World Trade Centre
towers. Dangerous and illegal, this ‘artistic crime of
the century’ is recreated through archive material,
dramatic reconstructions and interviews with those
involved. Petit emerges as an enigmatic figure driven
to climb by inexplicable internal forces. Obsessed
by the idea of crossing the Trade Centre towers, he
will sacrifice anything to achieve his goal. As the film
builds to its vertiginous climax, it seems more like a
heist thriller than a true story.
Sponsored By
Man On Wire
Director: James Marsh, UK/USA, 12a, 2008, 94 mins
2009 Oscar winner, best documentary.
August 1974, early morning – a French street
performer, Philippe Petit, walks for 45 minutes, at a
height of 1,350ft, on a slim steel wire connecting
the then newly constructed World Trade Centre
towers. Dangerous and illegal, this ‘artistic crime of
the century’ is recreated through archive material,
dramatic reconstructions and interviews with those
involved. Petit emerges as an enigmatic figure driven
to climb by inexplicable internal forces. Obsessed
by the idea of crossing the Trade Centre towers, he
will sacrifice anything to achieve his goal. As the film
builds to its vertiginous climax, it seems more like a
heist thriller than a true story.
Sponsored By
March 2010- Il Divo
Friday 12 March, 8pm
Il Divo
Director: Paola Sorrentino, Itlay, 15, 2008 110 mins
‘…morally challenging, darkly comic and highly entertaining.’
The Observer
Winner of the Cannes Jury prize, director Paolo
Sorrentino creates a kaleidoscopic and sinister
portrait of the career of Giulio Andreotti (superbly
acted by Toni Servillo), one of the key Italian political
figures of the 20th century. We witness his ruthless
ambition to achieve personal and political power,
and his skill at distancing himself from charges of
corruption and complicity with murder and Mafia
activity. Surrounded by cronies motivated by fear
and greed, he moves like a man who has done a
deal with the Devil.
Sponsored By
Il Divo
Director: Paola Sorrentino, Itlay, 15, 2008 110 mins
‘…morally challenging, darkly comic and highly entertaining.’
The Observer
Winner of the Cannes Jury prize, director Paolo
Sorrentino creates a kaleidoscopic and sinister
portrait of the career of Giulio Andreotti (superbly
acted by Toni Servillo), one of the key Italian political
figures of the 20th century. We witness his ruthless
ambition to achieve personal and political power,
and his skill at distancing himself from charges of
corruption and complicity with murder and Mafia
activity. Surrounded by cronies motivated by fear
and greed, he moves like a man who has done a
deal with the Devil.
Sponsored By
April 2010 - Conversations With My Gardener
Friday 9 April, 8pm
Conversations With My Gardener
Director: Jean Becker, France, 12a, 2007 109 mins
The original dialogue from Cueco’s book is closely
adhered to in this lyrical and deceptively simple film.
The story builds around a bourgeois, sophisticated
Parisian artist who is reunited with a former
class-mate – a simple, uncultivated, working- class
gardener. The conversations between them gently
show how one person can change the life of another.
The film does not depend on plot twists or dramatic
ups and downs, but delightfully portrays how each
man contributes to the life of the other. In the gentle
flow of the tale, the two become close friends, and
the mutual enrichment that results is palpable. The
scenery is beautiful, the actors realistic and the story
believable and thought-provoking.
Sponsored By
Conversations With My Gardener
Director: Jean Becker, France, 12a, 2007 109 mins
The original dialogue from Cueco’s book is closely
adhered to in this lyrical and deceptively simple film.
The story builds around a bourgeois, sophisticated
Parisian artist who is reunited with a former
class-mate – a simple, uncultivated, working- class
gardener. The conversations between them gently
show how one person can change the life of another.
The film does not depend on plot twists or dramatic
ups and downs, but delightfully portrays how each
man contributes to the life of the other. In the gentle
flow of the tale, the two become close friends, and
the mutual enrichment that results is palpable. The
scenery is beautiful, the actors realistic and the story
believable and thought-provoking.
Sponsored By
May 2010 - The Hide
Friday 14th May, 8pm
The Hide
Director: Marek Losley, UK, 15, 2008, 84 mins
Fusty, uptight bird twitcher Roy Tunt and shifty,
suspicious Dave meet in a birdwatchers’ hide in
the bleak setting of the Isle of Sheppey. Roy is
looking to complete his bird spotting book with
a sighting of the Sociable Plover. He’s waiting with
binoculars, a flask of Bovril, paste sandwiches and a
framed photo of his ex-wife. Dave crashes in, frantic
and aggressive, and the atmosphere immediately
changes. The small-scale set and detailed character
development are essential to the unfolding plot.
This razor sharp rendering of Tim Whitnall’s stage
play is full of surprises.
July’s audience choice film will be voted for this evening.
Sponsored By
The Hide
Director: Marek Losley, UK, 15, 2008, 84 mins
Fusty, uptight bird twitcher Roy Tunt and shifty,
suspicious Dave meet in a birdwatchers’ hide in
the bleak setting of the Isle of Sheppey. Roy is
looking to complete his bird spotting book with
a sighting of the Sociable Plover. He’s waiting with
binoculars, a flask of Bovril, paste sandwiches and a
framed photo of his ex-wife. Dave crashes in, frantic
and aggressive, and the atmosphere immediately
changes. The small-scale set and detailed character
development are essential to the unfolding plot.
This razor sharp rendering of Tim Whitnall’s stage
play is full of surprises.
July’s audience choice film will be voted for this evening.
Sponsored By
June 2010 - O'Horten
Friday 11 June, 8pm
O'Horten
Director: Bent Harmer, Norway, 12a, 2007 90 mins
‘A brilliantly pitched exercise in droll comedy with a tender
message about seizing the day.’ Jon Hartgang, film4
67 year old train driver Odd Horten is facing
retirement and an uncertain future. On his last
journey, a mishap forces him to miss a connection,
and instead he finds himself in the midst of bizarre
adventures and encounters. The taciturn Horten
faces them all with a stoic bemusement as he
comes to reappraise and adjust to his life ahead.
Striking cinematography and soundtrack grace this
combination of the melancholy and the absurd,
brought together in a warm-hearted film, that
suggests you can seize the day even at twilight.
Sponsored By
O'Horten
Director: Bent Harmer, Norway, 12a, 2007 90 mins
‘A brilliantly pitched exercise in droll comedy with a tender
message about seizing the day.’ Jon Hartgang, film4
67 year old train driver Odd Horten is facing
retirement and an uncertain future. On his last
journey, a mishap forces him to miss a connection,
and instead he finds himself in the midst of bizarre
adventures and encounters. The taciturn Horten
faces them all with a stoic bemusement as he
comes to reappraise and adjust to his life ahead.
Striking cinematography and soundtrack grace this
combination of the melancholy and the absurd,
brought together in a warm-hearted film, that
suggests you can seize the day even at twilight.
Sponsored By
July 2010 - AUDIENCE CHOICE
Friday 9 July, 8pm
AUDIENCE CHOICE
The most popular choice of film selected in May, voted by you.
Sponsored By
AUDIENCE CHOICE
The most popular choice of film selected in May, voted by you.
Sponsored By