NOW SHOWING: GALLANT HEART screens at BFI (14 JAN).

NOW SHOWING: LONDON SCREEN GUIDE w/c 12.01.18

RADIANT CIRCUS hunts out the best independent movie nights, film events & gallery screenings in London for the week ahead*. Here’s our SCREEN GUIDE for 12 to 18 JAN 2018.


FRI 12 // SAT 13 // SUN 14 // MON 15 // TUE 16 // WED 17 // THU 18


Welcome to our weekly screen guide where we recommend moving pictures that might excite you.

This week, there are excellent ways to celebrate women who make moving pictures with events at BFI and Genesis Cinema (16 JAN). You can also join the debate about who should – or shouldn’t – have been included in ‘best director’ slates with screenings of Rungano Nyoni’s I AM NOT A WITCH at Screen25 (formerly Stanley’s Film Club) and Whirled Cinema.

Elsewhere, we are pretty excited about a double bill at Close-Up (FOG + UNCLE BOONMEE, 14 JAN) and it’s great to see more screens using their fund-raising clout for good causes (EPICLY PALESTINE’D, 17 JAN at The Institute Of Light and GALLIVANT, 18 JAN at Genesis Cinema). It’s also great (not to be able) to see sold-out attractions at Barbican (ARCHITECTURE ON FILM, 14 & 17 JAN), Science Fiction Theatre (CAPRICORN ONE, 15 JAN) and The Miskatonic Institute (SECRET POWERS OF ATTRACTION, 18 JAN).

London’s festivals get kicked off in alternative style with the 15th LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (12 to 21 JAN). With so many attractions on offer, we’ve posted a separate guide HERE.

And finally, our FEATURED ATTRACTION of the week is GALLANT HEARTS (14 JAN, BFI) because we need to see (much) more silent film in 2018. You could also choose ARSENAL on the same day (14 JAN, Phoenix Cinema).

Don’t forget to check our monthly roundup of what’s NOW BOOKING to help with your forward plans and our new LONDON EVENTS listing for more great single-o exhibits.

> Tell us what you’re seeing in the comments below.


#SCREENGUIDE: We highlight up to three SINGLE-O EXHIBITS (one-off screen events) each day. There’s a summary of MUSEUM SHOWS (exhibitions // seasons & festivals) and GRIND SHOWS (regular runs & mainstream marvels) below the line. Follow date & section links to find what you want. Use your ‘back’ button to return here.

We check ticket availability for everything listed: please click quickly!


NOW SHOWING: SINGLE-O EXHIBITS

ONE-OFF MOVIE NIGHTS, FILM EVENTS & GALLERY SCREENINGS (by date/event)

FRI 12

EX-DOMINATRIX: A TRUE STORY
EX-DOMINATRIX: A TRUE STORY screens at Whirled Cinema (12 JAN).

EX-DOMINATRIX: A TRUE STORY (20:00) screens at Whirled Cinema:

Voila Films presents a feature-length documentary about Ira, one of Europe’s most extreme and popular Dominatrix until one fateful session changed everything: from bondage to beyond!


SAT 13

NOW SHOWING: ALIA SYED IN CONVERSATION takes place at LUX (13 JAN).
ALIA SYED IN CONVERSATION takes place at LUX (13 JAN).

BL CK B X: ALIA SYED IN CONVERSATION with Inga Fraser (14:00) at LUX:

To launch the exhibition BL CK B X: ALIA SYED (see MUSEUM SHOWS below), Syed will be in conversation with writer and curator Inga Fraser (Royal College of Art).


SUN 14

NOW SHOWING: ARSENAL + LIVE SCORE screens at Phoenix Cinema (14 JAN).
ARSENAL + LIVE SOUNDTRACK screens at Phoenix Cinema (14 JAN).

ARSENAL + LIVE SOUNDTRACK BY BRONNT INDUSTRIES KAPITAL (15:00) screens at Phoenix Cinema:

British group Bronnt Industries Kapital perform a new live soundtrack to Alexander Dovzhenko’s classic silent film ARSENAL to mark the 100 year anniversary of the uprising depicted in the film and to coincide with the album release of the soundtrack.

GALLANT HEARTS + SHORTS + LIVE ACCOMPANIMENT (14:00) screens at BFI.

One of very few surviving Indian silents, GALLANT HEARTS film has everything from a Zorro-like heroine to storybook settings. Accompaniment is by musicians Stephen Horne and Jeevan Singh.

TAKE TWO: THE FOG + UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES (17:00 + 19:30) screens at Close-Up:

Two gorgeously photographed films exploring folklore, history and ghostly apparitions. John Carpenter’s mournful campfire tale of violence and horror precedes Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s beguiling journey into personal and collective memory.


MON 15

NOW SHOWING: THE DRIVER screens at Prince Charles Cinema (15 JAN).
THE DRIVER screens at Prince Charles Cinema (15 JAN).

THE DRIVER (20:45) screens at The Prince Charles Cinema:

An enigmatic man of fast cars and few words, the Driver (Ryan O’Neal) excels at maneuvering getaway vehicles through the tightest of spots, making him quite in demand in criminal circles.

LUKE FOWLER CURATES THE BFI NATIONAL ARCHIVE + INTRO by Luke Fowler (20:30) screens at BFI Southbank:

Jarman Award-winner and Turner Prize-nominee Luke Fowler programmes a night of films including: Phillipe Regniez’s CORNELIUS CARDEW (1986), Nicholas Garnham’s ONE PAIR OF EYES: BORDER COUNTRY (1970) and Fowler’s own FOR CHRISTIAN (2016). (N.B. Fowler’s earlier talk is sold out).

WUTHERING NIGHTS + Q&A with Steve Hackett (19:00) screens at Everyman King’s Cross:

See guitar legend Steve Hackett’s latest live film WUTHERING NIGHTS: LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM prior to its official release, plus enjoy a Q&A with the man himself. Grab yourself a commemorative souvenir laminate pass, exclusive to attendees at the event.


TUE 16

NOW SHOWING: BHAJI ON THE BEACH screens at BFI (16 JAN).
BHAJI ON THE BEACH screens at BFI (16 JAN).

BHAJI ON THE BEACH + Q&A with writer/director Gurinder Chadha (20:30) screens at BFI:

This classic comedy-drama focuses on a group of British Asian women on a day trip to Blackpool. Part of WOMAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA.

NOVA NIGHTS EP#8 – MY EYES! MY EYES! (19:30) screens at The Horse Hospital:

Billy Chainsaw presents an evening of indie horror and surrealistic movie magic.

SHARP FAMILIES + ARRIVEDERCI CLERKENWELL + Q&A (19:30) screens at Regent Street Cinema:

CinemaItaliaUK presents a journey across the origins of the Italian community of London with a special Q&A with directors.


WED 17

NOW SHOWING: EPICLY PALESTINE'D
EPICLY PALESTINE’D screens at The Institute Of Light (17 JAN).

EPICLY PALESTINE’D + DISCUSSION (20:15) screens at The Institute Of Light:

The People’s Film Club presents a screening of EPICLY PALESTINE’D: THE BIRTH OF SKATEBOARDING IN THE WEST BANK which documents the rise of Palestine’s skate scene. The film will be followed by a Q+A with the director, Theo Krish, and other guests.

I AM NOT A WITCH (19:45) screens at Screen25:

Screen25 presents the groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed feature debut of Zambian-born Welsh director Rungano Nyoni. Moving, often satirical and profoundly surreal, I AM NOT A WITCH is an unforgettable cinematic experience. Nyoni’s film also enjoys a grind show run at Whirled Cinema (15 to 21 JAN – see below).

SPF–18 + Q&A (18:30) screens at Curzon Mayfair:

Serpentine Galleries presents a screening of artist and filmmaker Alex Israel’s first feature-length film, SPF-18, as part of Serpentine Cinema. Following the screening, Alex Israel will be in conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist.


THU 18

NOW SHOWING: THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH
THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH screens at Genesis Cinema (18 JAN).

GALLIVANT + INTRO from director Andrew Kötting (20:00) screens at Deptford Cinema:

Andrew Kötting’s first feature Gallivant documents a clockwise journey around the coast of Britain with his 85-year-old grandmother Gladys, and his 7-year-old daughter, Eden, who suffers from a rare, often life-limiting genetic disorder. A fundraiser screening for Joubert Syndrome UK.

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH + INTRO & DISCUSSION (18:15) screens at Genesis Cinema.

Rochester Kino and the Cult Classic Collective present Nicolas Roeg’s film about an alien who must pose as a human to save his dying planet. Intro and discussion by Nick Walker.

ONCE IN EUROPA + Q&A (19:00) screens at The Whitechapel Gallery:

An evening of responses to the crises informing the psyche, land and seascapes of Europe: Examining migration and asylum, Sarah Wood’s BOAT PEOPLE, container ship culture, Alkaios Spyrou’s ANINA, and the ruins of Olympic promise, Leo Metcalf’s DISASTRO. Followed by a Q&A with the artists.


NOW SHOWING: MUSEUM SHOWS

EXHIBITIONS (by event/venue)

THE NOMADIC CITY OF CAMELA screens at Whitechapel Gallery (until 28 JAN 2018).

BL CK B X: Alia Syed – WALLPAPER shows at LUX Moving Image (from 10 JAN to 10 FEB 2018 – FREE, check for times)

Alia Syed’s WALLPAPER, a double screen film that was originally commissioned by the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in 2011, screens alongside other works to launch a new series of monthly exhibitions of artists’ moving image, BL CK B X.

LUIS LAZARO MATOS + ZHENG MAHLER + NGUYEN PHUONG LINH screens at The Whitechapel Gallery (until 28 JAN – FREE, check for times)

A new selection of moving image works from the gallery’s Artists’ Film International partnership.


SEASONS & FESTIVALS (by event/venue)

NOW BOOKING: BEST OF 2017 screens at Ciné Lumière (until 18 JAN)
MY LIFE AS A COURGETTE screens at Ciné Lumière (14 JAN).

ANDREI TARKOVSKY screens at ICA (until 14 JAN):

Another month, another ANDREI TARKOVSKY retrospective. Not that we’re complaining. This week’s films are: SOLARIS (13 JAN 13:30); THE SACRIFICE (14 JAN 21:15); and, MIRROR (17 JAN 16:00).

BEST OF 2017 screens at Ciné Lumière (until 18 JAN):

The South Ken. venue does some great recent retrospectives – we particularly enjoyed last year’s LA FÊTE DU CINÉMA – and this new season is no different. Most of the 11 titles get more than one outing and, given that we don’t get animated enough, we’ve chosen MY LIFE AS A COURGETTE (14 JAN 16:15) as our pick of the crop.

NOW SHOWING: BECOMING WHO I WAS screens at DocHouse (until 18 JAN).
BECOMING WHO I WAS screens at DocHouse (until 18 JAN).

DETOX DOCS screens at Bertha Dochouse / Curzon Bloomsbury (until 14 JAN):

A mini season to help you settle into a more mindful New Year continues with a regular run of BECOMING WHO I WAS (12 to 18 JAN – see GRIND SHOWS below).

FOCUS MARCEL PAGNOL screens at Ciné Lumière (until 28 JAN):

The season continues with FANNY (14 JAN 14:00), the sequel to MARIUS previously discussed by Nick Walker of Rochester Kino fame (07 JAN). No salon or refreshments this time. Hang in there.

NOW SHOWING: PERSONA screens at BFI (from 05 JAN).
PERSONA screens at BFI (from 05 JAN).

INGMAR BERGMAN screens at BFI Southbank (until end MAR):

Celebrating 100 years since the master filmmaker’s birth, this ‘definitive’ season covers both big and small screen outings. Highlights this week include a grind show run of PERSONA – which gets an INTRO from Richard Ayoade (16 JAN 18:20) – and an introductory talk BERGMAN FAMILY VALUES (18 JAN 18:10). The screenings are divided into strands reflecting Bergman’s preoccupations: LOVE, PAIN AND THE WHOLE DAMN THING (“the complications of sexual and romantic passion”); and, ALL IN THE FAMILY (“emotional turmoil begins at home…”). If original formats are your thing, the week includes a 35mm screening of LAST COUPLE OUT (16 JAN 18:10).

JOHN HURT screens at BFI Southbank (until 31 JAN):

A season dedicated to the late, great actor, there are many film and TV titles here you will know and love. This week, we’d pick: THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD + INTRO by Sinéad Cusack (13 JAN 18:00); THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT + AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK (14 JAN 17:00); ALIEN: DIRECTOR’S CUT (13 JAN 20:45); THE ELEPHANT MAN + Q&A with producer Jonathan Sanger (18 JAN 18:00).

NOW SHOWING: HOLY MOTORS screens at Close-Up (12 JAN).
HOLY MOTORS screens at Close-Up (12 JAN).

LÉOS CARAX screens at Close-Up (until 13 JAN):

Close-Up repeats their popular short season showing all of the French director’s features concluding with HOLY MOTORS (12 JAN 19:30) and adding Claire Denis’ BEAU TRAVAIL for a Herman Melville double-bill with POLA X (13 JAN 17:30 + 20:00).


LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (12 to 21 JAN): read our separate guide HERE.


ORSON WELLES screens at Close-Up (15 to 30 JAN):

Close-Up begins a new retrospective including eleven of Welles’ films and, towards the end of the month, two juicy double-bills: CONFIDENTIAL REPORT screening with Carol Reed’s THE THIRD MAN (21 JAN), and MACBETH preceding Akira Kurosawa’s THRONE OF BLOOD (28 JAN). Screening this week are: THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (15 JAN 19:30); THE STRANGER (16 JAN 19:30); THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (17 JAN 19:30); and, F IS FOR FAKE (18 JAN 19:30).

NOW SHOWING: MAGNOLIA screens at Prince Charles Cinema (14 JAN).
MAGNOLIA screens at Prince Charles Cinema (14 JAN).

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON 35mm TOUR screens at Prince Charles Cinema (until 01 FEB):

One of several London venues playing host to this retrospective where everything screens in 35mm. This week’s film is MAGNOLIA (14 JAN 16:45).

#WOMENINFILM2018 screens at Genesis Cinema (until 31 DEC):

The season dedicated to films that have a female director/co-director, a female writer/co-writer, or a strong/iconic female lead continues with THEIR FINEST + INTRO by author Lissa Evans (16 JAN 18:15).


NOW SHOWING: GRIND SHOWS

REGULAR RUNS & MAINSTREAM MARVELS (by title)

NOW SHOWING: I AM NOT A WITCH screens at Whirled Cinema (until 21 JAN).
I AM NOT A WITCH screens at Whirled Cinema (until 21 JAN).

BECOMING WHO I WAS screens at DocHouse (12 to 18 JAN):

After a Buddhist boy in the highlands of northern India discovers that he is the reincarnation of a centuries-old Tibetan monk, his aging godfather takes him on a journey to discover his past.

I AM NOT A WITCH screens at Whirled Cinema (15 to 21 JAN):

Zambian-born Welsh director Rungano Nyoni is set to make her mark on British cinema with her groundbreaking first feature, I Am Not a Witch. Sharply satirical and boldly provocative, the film garnered incredible praise from audiences and critics alike at the Cannes 2017 Directors’ Fortnight.

TEMPESTAD screens at ICA (12 to 18 JAN):

A group of innocent people are charged with human trafficking and thrown into prison. The authorities announce they’ve dealt a blow to organised crime; the public is reassured. Pagadores are what the victims of such procedures are called in Mexico. Part of Latin America Monthly.


Join the hunt for adventurous moving pictures.

SUBSCRIBE to get updates in your inbox (link below) and FOLLOW on Twitter and Instagram.


*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any mistakes. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version. We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+. We only include events you can book for at the time of posting. Please click quickly!

Featured image: GALLANT HEARTS (1931).