MIDNIGHT EXCESS by SUPAKINO brings back the thrill of weird & wonderful late-night movies to Rio Cinema. Having debuted with double-bills earlier this year, MIDNIGHT EXCESS returns with a new series of conjoined single-o exhibits. Here’s everything you need to know!

MIDNIGHT EXCESS: THE BROOD at Rio Cinema (19 OCT).

By RADIANT CIRCUS

Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

MIDNIGHT EXCESS is a film programme from Ranjit S. Ruprai aka SUPAKINO that brings back the thrill of late night movies to London’s historic Rio Cinema. It draws on Ranjit’s extensive knowledge of off-kilter cinema, familiar to followers of his Instagram.

RADIANT CIRCUS mainlined caffeine as media partner for the debut programme of double bills earlier this year and so we’re really pleased to see the strand return, this time with some slightly less weekend-shattering single screenings. The after-dark spirit of collaboration continues however, and Ranjit will be taking to the stage to chat about his film pairings with different special guests as the season unfolds.

Here’s everything you need to know.

MIDNIGHT EXCESS returns to the Rio Cinema with a new autumn/winter season (12 OCT to 14 DEC).

OCTOBER

MIDNIGHT EXCESS: THE DAMNED at Rio Cinema (12 OCT).

SUPAKINO presents 2 nights of Oliver Reed horror with Joseph Losey’s THE DAMNED (1962) and David Cronenberg’s THE BROOD (1979). Film writer Millicent Thomas will be chatting with Ranjit before each film: expect creepy kids, bodily mutations and scientific experiments gone awry!

THE DAMNED d. Joseph Losey, 1962 (12 OCT 23:00):

“This sci-fi, teen-rebel, Hammer-horror is a delightfully odd and ultimately spine-chilling film by Joseph Losey starring a young Oliver Reed as King, the leader of a coastal biker gang. He’s not happy at his sister going off with an American tourist and the chase ends up in a nearby army base where a highly secretive and disturbing scientific project is taking place.”

THE BROOD d. David Cronenberg, 1979 (19 OCT 23:00)

“40 years ago the Rio was born and the strange creatures of THE BROOD were born! Cronenberg’s 4th film is a very personal and shocking cinematic response to the family trauma of his own divorce. Oliver Reed is Dr. Hal Raglan, the pioneer of a strange, experimental form of psychotherapy. He holds sway over his patients like a cult-leader and isolates Nola Carveth (Samantha Eggar) from her husband and their marital issues to work on her rage with deadly, monstrous results.”

NOVEMBER

MIDNIGHT EXCESS: ERASER at Rio Cinema (23 NOV).

For the November edition, Ranjit has paired Lynch and Arnie: ERASERHEAD (1977) and ERASER (1996).

ERASERHEAD d. David Lynch, 1977 (16 NOV 23:00):

“Watching any David Lynch film at midnight is quite an experience, but his feature-length debut ERASERHEARD is most perfectly suited to a nocturnal screening. This haunting, visionary masterpiece of cinema famously became a cult hit on the US midnight movie circuit. It played for a full year at Cinema Village in New York and then a further 99 weeks at Waverly Theater… then yet another year at the Roxie in San Francisco. Beautifully shot in black and white with extraordinarily rich and experimental sound design, join us at Rio to experience this pinnacle of midnight movies on the big screen.”

ERASER d. Chuck Russell, 1996 (23 NOV 23:00):

‘Relax, you’ve been erased.’ “Arnold Schwarzenegger is US Marshal John Kruger aka “The Eraser” assigned to protect whistle-blower Dr Lee Cullen (Vanessa Williams) and in danger from rogue agents in his own department. Strap yourself in for big guns, big alligators and even bigger explosions in this 90s action movie by Chuck Russell (director of THE MASK and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3).”

DECEMBER

MIDNIGHT EXCESS: BLINDMAN at Rio Cinema (14 DEC).

Join Ranjit and Rio Cinema’s own Tim Stevens for 2 nights of Ringo Starr in some wild cult cinema with THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN (1969) and THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN (1971).

THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN d. Joseph McGrath, 1969 (07 DEC 23:00):

“Ringo Starr stars as Youngman, a homeless man adopted by the ultra-rich Sir Guy Grand (Peter Sellers). They team up to stage increasingly elaborate and absurd pranks on everyone from traffic wardens to the social elite. This cult satire from the tail end of swinging 60s London features an amazing cast and unexpected cameos throughout. From the striking opening chords by Badfinger & Paul McCartney to the final nauseous scenes of blood, urine & faeces, this movie grabs your senses and takes them on a wild ride.”

BLINDMAN d. Ferdinando Baldi, 1971 (14 DEC 23:00):

“Grindhouse meets Spaghetti Western with a touch of Zatoichi in the legendary BLINDMAN. Tony Anthony plays a blind bounty hunter hired to bring 50 mail-order brides to miners in Texas but is betrayed by his partners and must face murderous bandits and the Mexican Army in order to fulfil his contract. Ringo Starr plays Candy, a hairy bandido whose lustful obsession for a gringo’s comely daughter gets in the way of everyone’s plans.”

And that’s the meat of it…

SUPAKINO

Ranjit S. Ruprai is an independent programmer and supporter of indie cinemas, film festivals and film clubs in London. Since 2017, he has been curating friendly film screenings around fun and unusual themes including Turbans Seen On Screen at The Institute Of Light and Bombay Mix double- bills at Rio Cinema. These are often accompanied by live music, short films, cast/crew and renowned guest speakers.

Web supakino.com | Instagram @supakino | Twitter @supakino_ | Email info@supakino.com

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