NOW SHOWING: LONDON SCREEN GUIDE w/c 23.02.18
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 23 FEB to 01 MAR 2018.
FRI 23 // SAT 24 // SUN 25 // MON 26 // TUE 27 // WED 28 // THU 01
Welcome to our weekly screen guide where we recommend moving pictures that might excite you.
This week, we like the Belgian Cinema weekender at Ciné Lumière (23 to 25 FEB) where pretty much everything travels with a value-adding Q&A. Elsewhere, it’s your last chance to see the films of Michael Haneke at Close-Up and to explore the cinematic sounds of music at Ciné Lumière. See MUSEUM SHOWS for details.
As usual, documentaries continue to provide adventurous screen across the city, with features about migration (sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s no less…), music and ice dance. For lovers of short form film, Exploding Cinema returns with another eclectic screening (24 FEB) whilst Kino London throws the screen wide open (27 FEB).
Our featured attraction of the week is an unapologetic childhood favourite, THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (25 FEB, Regent Street Cinema) which features a Q&A with Caroline Munro. We look forward to seeing you there.
> We have launched our new monthly membership scheme. Get great rewards and help us continue to expand our coverage of London’s alternative screen attractions at Patreon.
#SCREENGUIDE: We highlight up to three SINGLE-O EXHIBITS (one-off events) each day and a roundup of others. There’s a summary of MUSEUM SHOWS (divided into exhibitions and seasons & festivals) and GRIND SHOWS (regular runs) 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 before we post: please click quickly!
NOW SHOWING: SINGLE-O EXHIBITS
ONE-OFF MOVIE NIGHTS, FILM EVENTS & GALLERY SCREENINGS (by date/event)
FRI 23
THE ICE KING + Q&A with director James Erskine screens at Picturehouse Central (18:30):
If you’ve loved the Winter Olympics as much as we have, then head to see this new doc about John Curry who transformed ice skating from a dated sport into an exalted art form and came out on the night of his Olympic win in 1976. The film then enjoys a grind show run at Picturehouse Central and Bertha DocHouse.
NATIVE + Q&A screens at The Prince Charles Cinema (18:50):
A signal from the other side of the universe is received by a hive-like society. Two scientists, Cane and Eva, are chosen to leave their home planet and journey many light years to find and colonize the distant world that sent this transmission. As their telepathic connection to home weakens, they begin to question the morality of the mission and the very meaning of their own existence in the isolation of deep space.
OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? + LIVE MUSIC by Ceri James screens at Genesis Cinema (19:30):
Genesis Cinema’s Music & Movies nights continue with a live performance from Ceri James and his band to accompany the ever-wonderful Coen brothers classic.
SAT 24
EXPLODING CINEMA screens at The Cinema Museum (19:00):
Exploding Cinema presents a night of “indie, undie and OTT short films… from animation to documentary, drama to CGI, and experimental to just plain mental” from around the world.
REVOLUTION OF THE FAIRYTALE screens at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (19:00):
Explore the world of fairy tales from a fresh and unexpected point of view. A film screening in conjunction with the exhibition Revolution of the Fairytale (until 20 MAR), a multi-media project that places Caribbean people in pop culture fairytales.
TWENTY TWO screens at BFI Southbank (15:30):
Celebrate Chinese New Year with an award-winning film on the subject of Chinese ‘comfort women’, 200,000 of whom were forced into sexual slavery during WWII. China’s highest-grossing doc of all time.
Genesis Cinema celebrates with a free bar screening of IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (18:30).
Looking for something different? BRICK at Everyman Screen On The Green (23:30).
SUN 25
THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD + Q&A screens at Regent Street Cinema (15:00):
Sinbad and his crew intercept a flying homunculus carrying a golden tablet. But this is one third of a puzzle that leads to untold riches, and the evil magician Koura is hell-bent on being the first to solve it… Featuring a Q&A with Margiana herself, Caroline Munro.
TALKING HEADS: STOP MAKING SENSE + DJ set screens at Moth Club (19:00):
Deeper Into Movies presents David Byrne’s legendary 1983 touring show – an unabashedly theatrical experience – as amplified by Jonathan Demme’s distinct cinematic sensibility. “The greatest music movie of all time.” Cherish Kaya (NTS Radio) provides the DJ set.
WIFE VS. SECRETARY screens at The Cinema Museum (14:30):
Kennington Talkies presents a 1936 film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Myrna Loy. “A perfect example of Hollywood gloss, with three topnotch stars towering over inferior material.” Includes a full supporting programme.
Looking for something different? THE CONVERSATION at Stow Film Lounge (14:30); ONLY YESTERDAY (15:15) and AKIRA at The Prince Charles Cinema (20:45).
MON 26
LOVE YOU TO DEATH + DISCUSSION screens at The Institute Of Light (20:00):
The People’s Film Club presents a special screening of a documentary that sheds light on the continuing domestic violence experienced by women in the UK. Followed by a Q&A with director Vanessa Engle. All proceeds will be split between LAWA and Sister Space charities.
LEE RANALDO IN CONVERSATION + HELLO HELLO HELLO screens at Moth Club (19:00):
Deeper Into Movies shares the stage with Lee Ranaldo to discuss his video work and experimental films. There’ll be classic Sonic Youth music videos as well as their legendary tour film, THE YEAR PUNK BROKE and Ranaldo’s new making-of doc, HELLO HELLO HELLO.
MODERN ROMANCE screens at The Prince Charles Cinema (20:45):
A brilliant comedy starring Albert Brooks as a film editor desperately trying to commit himself to his girlfriend Kathryn Harrold. Brooks endures all the torture and joy of being in love.
Looking for something different? SHANE at The Cinema Museum (19:30).
TUE 27
KINO LONDON’S OPEN-MIC FILM NIGHT #95 screens at Candid Arts (19:00):
Kino London is back with another edition of their short film night. Kino is an evening packed full of short films introduced by their makers, “tons of laughs and free popcorn”.
TALK: UNRAVELLING FRENCH CINEMA + ZAZIE DANS LE MÉTRO + INTRO screens at Ciné Lumière (19:00 & 20:45):
Ginette Vincendeau, Alastair Phillips, Michael Temple and Michael Witt launch their new books and discuss a series of cinematic milestones from the earliest days of silent cinema to the most recent releases. Then comes the most freewheeling of New Wave films about a foulmouthed 11-year-old girl visiting her uncle in Paris.
NIGHT OF THE HUNTER screens at The Prince Charles Cinema (18:20):
The Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) is a religious fanatic and serial killer. Serving time in prison for car theft, he meets condemned murderer Ben Harper (Peter Graves), who confesses to hiding $10,000 in stolen loot. Released from jail, Powell is obsessed with finding the money.
Looking for something different? THE MISSION at BFI (20:30); TOM OF FINLAND + GUEST at Wimbledon Film Club (20:30).
WED 28
D.C. CAB aka Street Fleet screens at The Cinema Museum (19:30):
The Celluloid Sorceress continues her look at the career of Joel Schumacher with a rare screening of one of THE LOST BOYS director’s pre-breakthrough hits, unavailable on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK. The Sorceress warns: “The humour is ribald and must sometimes be viewed in the context of its era.” Stand ready.
THE LIVING END + DISCUSSION screens at The Cinema Museum (19:00):
The Vito Project presents the 1992 film by underground filmmaker Gregg Araki. The film, part of the New Queer Cinema genre, is an early film portrayal of gay men living with AIDS. The screening will be followed by an open discussion. The VITO Project brings generations of LGBTQ folk together to watch films and share ideas.
WAKING LIFE screens at Deptford Cinema (19:30):
Entirely rotoscoped, WAKING LIFE is Richard Linklater’s first animated feature, following one man left adrift in a town which becomes increasingly dream-like the longer he stays. WAKING LIFE explores free will, existentialism and the nature of dreams and reality.
Looking for something different? BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI at Moth Club (19:00); THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER + INTRO at BFI (18:10); FIVE LAST DAYS aka Fünf Letzte Tag at Goethe Institut (19:00); THE PARTY at Screen25 (19:45).
THU 01
8 BORDERS, 8 DAYS + DISCUSSION screens at Bertha DocHouse (18:45):
The intimate story of why a mother is willing to risk her children’s lives for a better future and an immersive experience of their eight-day journey to safety on a smuggler’s raft. The screening will be followed by a discussion (and there will be free ice-cream from Ben & Jerry’s, event sponsors).
REMEMBER BAGHDAD + SHORT screens at JW3 (14:30 & 20:45):
Seen as a site of ongoing fighting, modern-day Baghdad scarcely resembles the city it once was. This doc explores the rich Jewish life and culture that had flourished in Iraq before the events of the 20th and early 21st centuries dramatically changed the course of the country – and the fate of its Jews. Presented by UK Jewish Film.
TOP OF THE WORLD: A New History of British Animation Part Three screens at BFI Southbank (18:20):
This specially selected programme mixes breakthrough student shorts with some landmark classics of international animation including Alison de Vere’s THE BLACK DOG (1987), Joanna Quinn’s BRITANNIA (1993) and Daniel Greaves’ Oscar-winning MANIPULATION (1991).
Looking for something different? CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS at Phoenix Cinema (10:30); CUSTODY + Q&A with director Javier Legrand at BFI (20:20): TRISHNA at Talkies Community Cinema (19:45).
NOW SHOWING: MUSEUM SHOWS
EXHIBITIONS (by event/venue)
BL CK B X: SEAMUS HARAHAN – SHINEY WET STONES screens at LUX Moving Image (until 10 MAR 2018 – FREE, check for times):
A body of video works by 2015 Jarman Award-winning artist, Seamus Harahan.
IAN GILES: AFTER BUTT screens at Chelsea Space (until 02 MAR):
Chelsea Space presents a new film by Ian Giles exploring the cultural and social legacy of BUTT magazine (2001-2011); a publication made by and for gay men, noted for its iconic pink pages and candid interviews.
PATRICK HOUGH, JOHN SKOOG, and ØRJAN AMUNDSEN screens at The Whitechapel Gallery (until 01 APR – FREE, check for times):
A selection of artists from The Whitechapel’s ARTISTS’ FILM INTERNATIONAL partnership of moving image galleries. The 2018 edition focuses on the theme of truth. Each of the selected artists explore the relationship between fact and fiction.
patten: 3049 shows at Tenderpixel (until 03 MAR – FREE, check for times):
London duo patten reconfigures fragmentary background elements of film, literature, sound and set design collected from the world of modern sci-fi into a hallucinogenic and immersive audiovisual environment. The resulting space sets the stage for a positive future, asking; ‘how do we make it to 3049?’.
NOW SHOWING: MUSEUM SHOWS
SEASONS & FESTIVALS (by event/venue)
The complete retrospective finished a while ago but ICA continues to sneak in extra screenings. Catch THE SACRIFICE (24 Feb 12:10) while you can.
CLAIRE DENIS screens at Deptford Cinema (11 FEB to 18 MAR):
The seasons dedicated to the French filmmaker continues with TROUBLE EVERY DAY (23 FEB 19:30), “a dark, dangerous and exhilarating piece of filmmaking”.
FOCUS ON BELGIAN CINEMA screens at Ciné Lumière (until 25 FEB):
This short season lifts the lid on Belgium’s “multicultural, environmentally conscious, at times cynical society, to portray an altogether modern view on the world we live in”. Films include: A WEDDING + Q&A with director Stephan Streker (23 FEB 20:45); BELGICA + Q&A with actor Tom Vermeir (24 Feb 18:15); and, VINCENT & THE END OF THE WORLD + Q&A with screenwriter Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem (25 FEB 18:30).
GIRLFRIENDS screens at BFI Southbank (FEB & MAR):
BFI invites you to “revisit cherished classics and discover trailblazing women filmmakers in our season celebrating female friendships.” Every title screens with a suitable short and there’s a good smattering of 35mm. This week, you can try: DANCE GIRL, DANCE (24 & 26 FEB); MURIEL’S WEDDING (28 FEB 20:50); and, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (01 Mar 18:10).
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. THE TOUCH begins a grind show run (until 08 MAR) whilst the rest of February’s screenings are divided into strands reflecting Bergman’s preoccupations.
Followers of THE HUMAN CONDITION – “how humans cope with suffering, injustice, mortality and uncertainty” – should pick from: THE VIRGIN SPRING (23 FEB 20:40); THE DEVIL’S EYE (24 & 28 FEB); and, THE SERPENT’S EGG (26 FEB 20:30).
If WOMEN IN LOVE – “the experiences and emotional lives of women” – suits you more, pick from: FACE TO FACE (24 FEB 16:50); SO CLOSE TO LIFE (25 FEB 20:30); WAITING WOMEN (27 FEB 20:45); and, CRIES & WHISPERS (27 FEB 18:30).
A new month brings a new theme: PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS… looks at the artist’s role in the world and kicks off with screenings of SAWDUST & TINSEL (01 MAR 14:30) and NIGHT IS MY FUTURE (01 MAR 20:45). More in our next monthly roundup.
And finally, there are ICYMI screenings of PERSONA (24 FEB 13:50) and FANNY ALEXANDER (25 Feb 13:30).
MICHAEL HANEKE screens at Close-Up (until 28 FEB):
Close-Up concludes a season dedicated to the Austrian auteur – “one of cinema’s most original, daring and controversial filmmakers” – which includes a lot of 35mm. Choose from: HIDDEN (23 FEB 19:30); THE WHITE RIBBON (24 FEB 19:30); FUNNY GAMES (25 Feb 17:00); AMOUR (25 FEB 19:30); and, appropriately enough, HAPPY END (28 FEB 19:30).
THE SOUND OF MUSIC screens at Ciné Lumière (until 25 FEB):
A series of screenings featuring film scores by French composers concludes with L’AMOUR EN FUITE (25 FEB 14:00), the final instalment in Truffaut’s Antoine Doinel cycle features the music of Georges Delerue.
There’s a similar emphasis on film music over at BFI where their always-on SCREEN CLASSICS strand focuses on films notable for their original soundtracks.
VAULT FESTIVAL screens at VAULT (until 18 MAR):
VAULT FESTIVAL includes a number of excellent screening events. Next up is HOLLYWOOD BABYLON: RABBIT’S MOON + OVER MY DEAD BODY! + SHERLOCK JR. – “a look at the dark underbelly of Hollywood with a raucous triple-bill” (25 Feb 15:00).
#WOMENINFILM2018 screens at Genesis Cinema (until 31 DEC):
A year-long season of films where women have made a signifiant contribution in front and behind camera continues with MOONSTRUCK 35MM + PANEL with Ruby Tandoh (25 FEB 14:30). The Bechdel Test and Ruby Tandoh’s afternoon of “film, food and thoughtful chatter” includes a 30th Anniversary presentation of MOONSTRUCK in 35mm and a panel discussion about our relationships with food.
In the same season, there are screenings of DESERT HEARTS (25 FEB 13:00) and ALMOST HEAVEN + Q&A with director Carol Salter (01 MAR 18:45).
NOW SHOWING: GRIND SHOWS
REGULAR RUNS & MAINSTREAM MARVELS (by title)
THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL screens at ICA (24 FEB to 01 MAR):
Andersen’s little match girl, Bresson’s donkey, the relationship between a German guerrilla and an Argentine pianist, and Helmut Lachenmann trying to stage an opera with the orchestra of the Teatro Colón on strike. In the middle of all that, Marie and Walter try to survive with their daughter. Part of Latin America Monthly.
SHALOM BOLLYWOOD: THE UNTOLD STORY OF INDIAN CINEMA screens at JW3 (until 28 FEB):
UKJF presents a feature length documentary about the all singing, all dancing history of the world’s largest film industry. When Indian cinema began 100 years ago it was taboo for Hindu and Islamic women to perform on screen, so Indian Jewish women took on female lead roles. However, because of their stage names people thought they were Muslims or Christians. Until now….
A SUITABLE GIRL screens at Bertha Dochouse (until 01 MAR):
Filmed over four years, Sarita Khurana and Smriti Mundhra’s doc follows three young women as they juggle family, career and friends, intimately capturing their thoughts on arranged marriage, and offering a unique perspective into the nuances of this institution.
Join the hunt for adventurous moving pictures.
Never miss a frame with a new monthly membership at Patreon.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for daily updates.
#shelterfromthestorm
*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: THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1973).