NOW BOOKING: Screen25 Cinema [JAN to MAR 2020]
#32BoroughsOfFilm: Following their successful Champions campaign at the end of 2019, RADIANT CIRCUS is delighted to be working with Screen25 Cinema to support their new 2020 programme. Here’s everything that’s on in South Norwood (with news of a juicy discount for all our monthly subscribers!).
By RADIANT CIRCUS
Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus
One of the things we hated most in 2019 was having to post news of community cinemas on the brink of destruction… One of the things we loved the most (!) was posting news when victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat…
Screen25 Cinema’s clan of committed volunteers called out for community champions to support their endeavours with a monthly subscription that would improve the organisation’s resilience against bumpy box office. We’re delighted to say the fine folk of South Norwood answered the call.
A new season of films has now been announced and, for a weekly community cinema not long from peril, Screen25 hasn’t stinted on new collabs and value-adding special features (director Q&As, live magic!). The standout here looks like a new Underdocs monthly documentary gig that launches with Lauren Greenfield’s THE KINGMAKER (27 FEB). We also like themed strands that extend Screen25’s programme. Choose from Discovery – dedicated to showcasing the brilliance of often missed, small release indie cinema gems – or Odyssey Film Club, which travels the globe in search of something interesting.
As with many community cinemas, Screen25 is committed to extending access to everyone. Their ‘Pay As You Feel’ events give you a chance to pay what you can for the film you are about to receive. It’s a brilliant way to keep the doors open to anyone who wants to see more diverse cinema (at a time when many arthouse and indie venues are having to raise their prices…). Of course, you can always boost Screen25’s fortunes even further by paying more than the basic ticket price if you are able to (no one will make you feel awkward, we promise…).
The 2020 season at Screen25 Cinema projects at Harris Academy South Norwood from 08 JAN. Indeed, things started early with a repeat screening of Ari Aster’s MIDSOMMAR after a fainting episode drew last year’s event to a premature close… now that’s both the rock and the roll right there! Get booking…
#32BoroughsOfFilm
We’ve posted this guide as part of our #32BoroughsOfFilm collab exploring London’s alternative community cinema scene. If you’re running a community cinema in Greater London we’d love to sample your wares… Invite RADIANT CIRCUS to your screening by contacting us HERE or via DM on Twitter @radiantcircus.
Read about our progress so far HERE.
FULL PROGRAMME
Discovery: SPRINTER d. Storm Saulter, 2018 at Harris Academy South Norwood (08 JAN 19:45):
- “The story of Akeem Sharp who is set to be Jamaica’s next big track-and-field sensation. Akeem hopes a rise in the track and field world will take him to the U.S. to reunite him with his mother who has supported the family while living as an illegal resident for over a decade.”
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT d. Gurinder Chadha, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (10 JAN 19:45):
- “Gurinder Chadha (BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM) returns with the toe-tapping and tight jeans-wearing tribute to Bruce Springsteen and 80s Luton. Set in 1987, during the austere days of Thatcher’s Britain, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT is a joyous, coming-of-age story about a teenager who learns to live life, understand his Pakistani family and find his own voice through the words and music of Bruce Springsteen.”
SOLIDARITY d. Lucy Parker, 2018 + Q&A with the director & blacklisted workers at Harris Academy South Norwood (15 JAN 19:45):
- “A film about the secretive methods used against UK activists and trade unionists. Meet the blacklisted construction workers and activists spied on by the police as they share their ongoing struggles. Join us after the film for a Q&A with director Lucy Parker and anonymous blacklisted workers.”
THE AMAZING JOHNATHAN DOCUMENTARY + Live Magic by Matiss Duhon at Harris Academy South Norwood (17 JAN 19:45):
- “Johnathan is diagnosed with a terminal heart condition, is given one year to live, and is forced to retire his act. Cut to three years later: Johnathan is not dead, much to everyone’s amazement, and documentarian Ben Berman films the illusionist on an epic comeback tour. Join us from 19:45 for a magically entertaining performance from juggler, comedy, and cephalopods expert Matiss Duhon.”
Odyssey Film Club: PAIN & GLORY d. Pedro Almodóvar, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (22 JAN 19:45):
- “From celebrated auteur Pedro Almodóvar comes a semi-autobiographical tale about a filmmaker recounting his past in order to rediscover his love and passion for cinema. Starring Antonio Bandaras and Penelope Cruz, Almodóvar’s 21st film is an exploration of the tensions of growing old, and the search for filling a void left by trauma.”
JOKER d. Todd Phillips, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (24 JAN 19:45 + 29 JAN 19:45):
- “The origin story we’ve all been waiting for! Starring Joaquin Phoenix in a guaranteed Oscar-nominated role, discover the story of DC’s most relentless villain, Arthur Fleck, a man who dreams of being a stand-up comic, but struggles to fit into society.”
Pay As You Feel: MARLEY d. Kevin Macdonald, 2012 + Community Lunch at Harris Academy South Norwood (25 JAN 12:00 + 14:00):
- “We’ve partnered with South Norwood Community Kitchen (SNCK) for a three-course community lunch, made with food donated by supermarkets that would otherwise have been thrown away. Instead SNCK will be repurposing this food into a delicious set menu, to be served before a screening of biopic MARLEY.”
MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL d. Stanley Nelson, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (31 JAN 19:45):
- “Miles Davis’ clarity of vision and determination to break the mould catapulted him to super stardom and helped him to navigate hostile times. It also made him incredibly difficult to live with. Featuring studio outtakes, rare photographs and archival footage with a host of his collaborators, Stanley Nelson builds a fascinating portrait of a funny, touching and sometimes troubling character: a true originator who changed the world of jazz forever.”
BAIT d. Mark Jenkin, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (05 FEB 19:45):
- “Modern-day Cornish fisherman Martin (Edward Rowe) is struggling to buy a boat while coping with family rivalry and the influx of London money, Airbnb and stag parties to his harbour village. The summer season brings simmering tensions between the locals and newcomers to boiling point, with tragic consequences.”
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarrantino, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (07 FEB 19:45 + 12 FEB 19:45):
- “A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood’s Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles. Tarantino returns with an ensemble cast for his 9th feature film including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.”
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY d. Rob Reiner, 1989 at Harris Academy South Norwood (14 FEB 19:45):
- “Writer Nora Ephron is at her hilarious, romantic and timeless best in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, the story of a chance encounter between two graduates that leads to a lasting camaraderie. But the course of true friendship never did run smoothly, and eventually the pair must confront their true feelings for each other. Pick up a Date Night ticket and get entry for two, a glass of prosecco each and a sharing bag of popcorn for £25. Mates dates strongly encouraged!”
Pay As You Feel: TANGERINE d. Sean Baker, 2015 at Harris Academy South Norwood (19 FEB 19:45):
- “LGBT History Month annually helps to promote tolerance and raise awareness of the prejudices faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For the 2020 edition we’re pleased to announce a special edition of Pay As You Feel with a screening of Sean Baker’s (THE FLORIDA PROJECT) career-launching transgender comedy-drama, TANGERINE.”
PEANUT BUTTER FALCON d. Tyler Nilson & Michael Schwartz, 2019 + Club Soda DJs at Harris Academy South Norwood (21 FEB 19:00 – main featured image!):
- “A man with Down syndrome (Zack Gottsagen) escapes from an assisted living facility and befriends a wayward fisherman on the run (Shia LaBeouf); as the two men form a rapid bond, a social worker (Dakota Johnson) attempts to track them. Our screening is in partnership with disability arts organisation Club Soda, who will be hosting a party with DJs.”
Odyssey Film Club: TEHRAN: CITY OF LOVE d. Ali Jaberansari, 2018 at Harris Academy South Norwood (26 FEB 19:45):
- “Writer-director Ali Jabernansari gives viewers intriguing insights into modern Iranian life in this bittersweet comedy-drama about a trio who suffer as much from their own frailties as from Iran’s stifling theocratic regime.”
UnderDocs Presents: THE KINGMAKER d. Lauren Greenfield, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (27 FEB 19:45):
- “Join us for the inaugural film in our new non-fiction strand, celebrating fabulous, lesser-known documentaries on the big screen. In THE KINGMAKER, filmmaker Lauren Greenfield (PALACE OF VERSAILLES) examines the startling, controversial history of the former First Lady of the Philippines: a widow hell-bent on making a come-back.”
DOWNTON ABBEY d. Michael Engler, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (28 FEB 19:45):
- “It’s 1927, the Crawleys are back and the house is all of a flutter as the residents prepare for the biggest moment of their lives: King George V and Queen Mary are coming to stay. Of course, things don’t go to plan, and the impending visit sets in motion a series of scandals, deceptions and trysts.”
Discovery: A SERIAL KILLER’S GUIDE TO LIFE d. Staten Cousins-Roe, 2019 + Q&A with cast & crew at Harris Academy South Norwood (04 MAR 19:45):
- “One of the most perversely funny features of recent times, A SERIAL KILLER’S GUIDE TO LIFE showcases some of Britain’s best acting talent. DOCTOR WHO’s Katie Brayben is the self-help addict who somehow finds herself on a meandering murder trail, ably assisted by her eccentric life coach (Poppy Roe), when things inevitably spiral out of control.”
JUDY d. Rupert Goold, 2019 at Harris Academy South Norwood (06 & 11 MAR 19:45):
- “Fresh off the back of a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Drama, Renée Zellweger delivers arguably her finest performance since the BRIDGET JONES trilogy as the iconic Ms Garland in this poignant biopic. Whilst THE WIZARD OF OZ shot Judy Garland to global superstardom in 1939, this film skilfully interweaves childhood flashbacks with snippets from sold-out shows in her later life to paint a nuanced portrait of the woman we never knew.”
HUSTLERS d. Lorene Scafaria, 2019 + Short: NELA at Harris Academy South Norwood (13 MAR 19:40):
- “Jennifer Lopez’s artistic output has been brilliantly diverse over the years, but Hustlers may well be her finest achievement to date. With her partners in crime including Constance Wu (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) and Julia Stiles (10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU), J.Lo plays Romana Vega, leader of a strip club whose employees begin drugging and robbing unwitting Wall Street businessmen.”
SHOOTING THE MAFIA d. Kim Longinotto, 2019 + Recorded Intro by the director at Harris Academy South Norwood (18 MAR 19:40):
- “Palermo native Letizia Battaglia holds a camera to her surroundings in this daring documentary centred on the Mafia’s clandestine activities. Through interviews, archive footage and accomplished photography, Battaglia works with director Kim Longinotto to debunk some of the myths surrounding one of the most infamous criminal organisations in history.”
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS d. Vincente Minnelli, 1944 + Short: BACK IN MY BODY at Harris Academy South Norwood (20 MAR 19:40):
- “Coming five years after Judy Garland’s career-defining performance in the timeless WIZARD OF OZ, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS is another musical delight for all ages. Join us as we experience a year in the life of the Smith family, taking in the sights and sounds of Missouri through a series of seasonal vignettes culminating in the 1904 World’s Fair.”
Odyssey Film Club: MONOS d. Alejandro Landes, 2019 + Discussion at Harris Academy South Norwood (25 MAR 19:45):
- “Echoes of APOCALYPSE NOW and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies reverberate through Brazilian filmmaker Alejandro Landes’ extraordinary fever dream of a film, in which a group of adolescent soldiers, charged with the task of guarding a hostage and a cow, begin to run amok. Join us for a post-film round table discussion.”
UnderDocs: THE CAVE d. Feras Fayyad, 2019 + Short: SARAH at Harris Academy South Norwood (26 MAR 19:40):
- “Recently nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards, Syrian director Feras Fayyad’s follow-up to 2017’s LAST MEN IN ALEPPO is equally powerful. Amani Ballour is a female doctor operating a makeshift hospital during the civil war, treating casualties in a Ghouta-based cave whilst battling societal sexism.”
SCREEN25
Screen25 is a twice-weekly community-led cinema in the heart of South Norwood offering “a welcoming space for local people to come together and enjoy the latest independent and mainstream films, enhanced by Q&As, panel discussions, shorts and much more!”
Web screen25.com | Instagram @screen25cinema | Twitter @screen25cinema
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*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version. Event dates/times are subject to change by the venue/organiser. We try to only list events you can book for at the time of posting: however, some events may still be sold out. Please click quickly! We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+.