Films in London today: WEST INDIES: THE FUGITIVE SLAVES OF LIBERTY 35mm, part of MED HONDO: AFRICA FROM THE SEINE at BFI (16 DEC).
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NOW BOOKING: Films in London this month [DECEMBER 2019]

RADIANT CIRCUS is your handcrafted guide to London’s DIY, indie & alternative movie nights, film events & gallery screenings. Our latest SCREEN GUIDE helps you find repertory seasons & film festivals in London this month.

Find films in London this month by: REPERTORY SEASONS // FILM FESTIVALS

Welcome to our monthly roundup.

Each month we look ahead to what we call London’s MUSEUM SHOWS, the places where you can find several attractions under one roof. Our listings are divided into repertory seasons and film festivals.

We keep you updated on all London’s one-off screenings including film clubs, meet the talent Q&As and other special events in our weekly digests and daily updates.

UPDATE [16 DEC]: CLOSE-UP ON RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER extended at Close-Up (until 22 DEC). // UPDATE [06 DEC]: LAIKA RETROSPECTIVE at Picturehouse Central added // CHRISTMAS POP-UP CINEMA at Rivoli Ballroom added. // UPDATE [05 DEC]: Curzon Soho screenings added to UKRAINIAN FILM DAYS // IN FOCUS: TOMITA KATSUYA at ICA added // FRIENDS 25TH at The Prince Charles added // Deptford Cinema Film Festival added // Factual Animation Film Festival added.

FEATURED ATTRACTION

MED HONDO: AFRICA FROM THE SEINE at BFI Southbank (DEC):

“Every film lover should experience the wide palette and unique vision of Med Hondo’s cinema.” Includes:

FILMS IN LONDON THIS MONTH

REPERTORY SEASONS (A–Z)

Films in London this month: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, part of 007 ANNIVERSARY SCREENINGS at The Prince Charles.
Films in London this month: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, part of 007 ANNIVERSARY SCREENINGS at The Prince Charles.

007 ANNIVERSARY SCREENINGS at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

“The anniversaries of Bond, James Bond.” Includes:

20 YEARS at House Of Vans (01 NOV to 01 DEC – FREE!/No booking required):

“We’re stoked to bring our pick of quintessential movies that have just turned 20, to our cinema screen for our November film series.” Includes:

70mm PRESENTATIONS at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

“Bringing regular 70mm presentations back to the West End with”:

A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MOVIE MUSICAL at Deptford Cinema (21 OCT to 09 DEC):

“Deptford Cinema joins in the BFI’s nationwide three-month celebration of the musical film genre with our own special and spectacular season! Expect short films and programme notes at all screenings, and even some special guest speakers.” Includes:

  • CHICAGO d. Rob Marshall, 2002 + Short (02 DEC 19:00); and, LA LA LAND d. Damien Chazelle, 2017 + Short (09 DEC 19:00).

ALL NIGHT / DAY / MINI MOVIE MARATHONS at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

“Butt-numbing marathons” (their words…ED.) of cult, horror, themed & film franchises including:

Films in London this month: PONT DE VARSÒVIA, part of A WORM’S TAIL VIEW IS OFTEN THE TRUE ONE: FILMS BY PERE PORTABELLA at ICA, Whitechapel Gallery, Close-Up, Cafe Oto & Brixton Prison (26 NOV 2019 to 15 FEB 2020).
Films in London this month: PONT DE VARSÒVIA, part of A WORM’S TAIL VIEW IS OFTEN THE TRUE ONE at various venues (26 NOV 2019 to 15 FEB 2020).

A WORM’S TAIL VIEW IS OFTEN THE TRUE ONE: FILMS BY PERE PORTABELLA at ICA, Whitechapel Gallery, Close-Up, Cafe Oto & Brixton Prison (26 NOV 2019 to 15 FEB 2020):

“The most ambitious, creative and complete retrospective of works by ‘the most important living director you’ve never heard of’—Pere Portabella—will tour London’s most engaged cultural institutions from November 2019 until February 2020.” Includes:

BAFTA SCREENWRITERS LECTURE SERIES at Curzon Cinemas (30 NOV to 12 DEC):

“The Screenwriters’ Lecture Series exists to celebrate screenwriters’ authorial contribution to film and gives esteemed writers a platform to share highlights and insights from their careers with an audience of film-lovers and their peers.” Includes:

BIG SCREEN CLASSICS: GETTING TOGETHER at BFI Southbank (DEC):

“Since Christmas is seen by many as an opportunity for getting together, it’s timely to look at gatherings of various sorts.” Includes:

  • THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 4K d. George Cukor, 1940 (01 DEC 17:10 / 02 DEC 20:45 / 22 DEC 20:00 / 30 DEC 14:30); ROPE d. Alfred Hitchcock, 1948 (03 DEC 14:30 / 05 DEC 21:10); BLACK ORPHEUS 35mm aka Orfeu Negro d. Marcel Camus, 1958 + Intro by Kevin Le Gendre (04 DEC 17:35); ORDET aka The Word d. Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1955 (06 DEC 18:10 / 17 DEC 18:10 / 20 DEC 20:35); TOKYO STORY aka Tokyo Monogatari d. Yasujiro Ozu, 1953 (07 DEC 20:20 / 23 DEC 17:20); THE DEER HUNTER 4K d. Michael Cimino, 1978 (08 DEC 19:15 / 14 DEC 19:30); THE LADYKILLERS d. Alexander Mackendrick, 1955 (09 DEC 18:30); AFTER LIFE aka Wandafuru Raifu d. Hirokazu Koreeda, 1998 (10 DEC 18:15 / 12 DEC 18:10); ROPE d. Alfred Hitchcock, 1948 + Intro by Geoff Andrew (11 DEC 18:00); BLACK ORPHEUS 35mm aka Orfeu Negro d. Marcel Camus, 1958 (13 DEC 20:40); THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS 35mm d. Orson Welles, 1942 (14 DEC 16:10 / 15 DEC 18:00); GOODFELLAS 4K d. Martin Scorsese, 1990 (16 DEC 20:10 / 27 DEC 20:10); THE LADYKILLERS d. Alexander Mackendrick, 1955 + Intro by Mark Duguid (18 DEC 18:10); THE WILD BUNCH d. Sam Peckinpah, 1969 (19 DEC 18:00 / 28 DEC 20:10); and, THE LEOPARD 4K d. Il Gattopardo d. Luchino Visconti, 1963 (21 DEC 14:10 / 29 DEC 19:00).

BIG SCREEN CLASSICS: REAL TO REEL at BFI Southbank (OCT to DEC):

“Exploring how directors have sought an aura of verisimilitude.” Includes:

BLOOD ON EARTH: FILMS FROM THE AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN DIASPORA at Deptford Cinema (until 16 MAY 2020):

“A series of films embracing work which explores the human condition through stories from the African and Caribbean diaspora.” Includes:

  • MOONLIGHT d. Barry Jenkins, 2016 (14 DEC 19:30).
Films in London this month: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, part of CHRISTMAS AT GENESIS at Genesis Cinema (08 to 17 DEC).
Films in London this month: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, part of CHRISTMAS AT GENESIS at Genesis Cinema (08 to 17 DEC).

CHRISTMAS AT GENESIS at Genesis Cinema (08 to 17 DEC):

  • IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE d. Frank Capra, 1946 + Mince Pies & Mulled Wine (08 DEC 12:30); GREMLINS 30th Anniversary Restoration d. Joe Dante, 1984 presented by Truman’s (10 DEC 18:20 + Free pint of something Truman’s); SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT d. Charles E. Sellier Jr, 1984 + Intro/Salon with Nick Walker presented by Cult Classic Collective (12 DEC 18:40); EYES WIDE SHUT 20th Anniversary Restoration d. Stanley Kubrick, 1999 (13 DEC 20:30); THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL d. Brian Henson, 1992 (15 DEC 12:45); HOME ALONE d. Chris Columbus, 1990 (15 DEC 14:55); and, DIE HARD d. John McTiernan, 1988 presented by Truman’s (17 DEC 21:00 + Free pint of something Truman’s).

CHRISTMAS AT THE PCC at The Prince Charles (NOV to DEC):

CHRISTMAS FILMS at Regent Street Cinema (14 to 24 DEC):

CHRISTMAS POP-UP CINEMA presented by Crofton Park Pictures at Rivoli Ballroom (11 to 13 DEC):

CLOSE-UP ON RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER at Close-Up (until 22 DEC):

“Marking the 30th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – and programmed in parallel to our upcoming Jürgen Böttcher retrospective with the Goethe-Institut – we’re pleased to present a selection of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s film and television works from across his vast, yet tragically short lived ouvre.” Includes:

CURATOR’S PICKS at Barbican (13 to 19 DEC):

“Take the chance to see some of the year’s best films this December, chosen by our Cinema Team.” Includes:

DELEUZE’S CINEMA: MOVEMENTS IN TIME at Close-Up (01 to 10 DEC):

“Close-Up is pleased to present the launch of Christopher Kul-Want’s book, Philosophers on Cinema, From Bergson to Badiou, A Critical Reader (Columbia University press) on 05 DEC 19:00. Accompanying the launch Christopher has selected a programme of four films inspired by the philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s two seminal books: Cinema I: The Movement-Image and Cinema II: The Time-Image.” Includes:

  • LE JOUR SE LÈVE d. Marcel Carné, 1939 + Intro by Christopher Kul-Want (01 DEC 16:00); VAMPYR d. Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1932 + Intro by Christopher Kul-Want (05 DEC 20:30); RASHOMON d. Akira Kurosawa, 1950 + Intro by Christopher Kul-Want (09 DEC 20:30); and, CHIKAMATSU MONOGATARI d. Kenji Mizoguchi, 1954 + Intro by Christopher Kul-Want (10 DEC 20:30).

DIRECTOR DEBUTS at Deptford Cinema (until 15 DEC):

“Showcasing the feature length debuts from directors both new and old.” Includes:

FRIENDS 25TH: THE ONE WITH THE ANNIVERSARY at The Prince Charles (08 DEC to 15 DEC):

“FRIENDS 25TH: THE ONE WITH THE ANNIVERSARY” will reunite fans with their longtime BFFs —Ross, Rachel, Joey, Monica, Chandler and Phoebe —to re-live some of their funniest moments. This event takes place over 3 nights, where 4 different episodes will screen per night!” Includes:

HARRY POTTER SEASON at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

“Every HARRY POTTER film screening over the coming months, all presented from 35mm!” Includes:

Films in London this month: HOLLOW TRIUMPH, part of HISTORICAL FILM SERIES – A TRIBUTE TO ANNA GMEYNER & PAUL HENREID at Austrian Cultural Forum (12 NOV to 03 DEC).
Films in London this month: HOLLOW TRIUMPH, part of HISTORICAL FILM SERIES – A TRIBUTE TO ANNA GMEYNER & PAUL HENREID at Austrian Cultural Forum (12 NOV to 03 DEC).

HISTORICAL FILM SERIES – A TRIBUTE TO ANNA GMEYNER & PAUL HENREID at Austrian Cultural Forum (12 NOV to 03 DEC – FREE!/Booking required):

  • Includes: HOLLOW TRIUMPH d. Steve Sekely & Paul Henreid, 1948 (03 DEC 19:00).

IN FOCUS: TOMITA KATSUYA at ICA (06 to 15 DEC):

“A programme of four feature films by one of Japan’s most thought-provoking contemporary filmmakers.” Includes:

  • TENZO d. Tomita Katsuya, 2019 + Q&A with the director (06 DEC 18:45); BANGKOK NIGHTS d. Tomita Katsuya, 2016 + Intro by the director (07 DEC 20:00); OFF HIGHWAY 20 d. Tomita Katsuya, 2007 UK Premiere (14 DEC 17:00); and, SAUDADE d. Tomita Katsuya, 2011 (15 DEC 14:30).

INGMAR BERGMAN at Deptford Cinema (on going):

“A season of films by the prolific and much celebrated Swedish director. Philip French referred to Bergman as ‘one of the greatest artists of the 20th century’.” Includes:

IT’S PANTO SEASON! at BFI Southbank (DEC):

“A look at the star-studded, staple of the seasonal schedules: the TV pantomime.” Includes:

LAIKA RETROSPECTIVE at Picturehouse Central (08 DEC):

“The celebratory retrospective will be accompanied by a lobby exhibition featuring puppets and sets.” Includes:

LOST THE PLOT at Classic Cinema Club – Ealing (NOV to DEC):

“As these characters try to better their lives, get rich quick, or work on their relationships, they learn that the best intentions and best laid plans often go awry.” Includes:

MAURICE PIALET AND THE NEW FRENCH REALISM at BFI Southbank (OCT to DEC):

“A two-part exploration of an uncompromising director and the impact he’s made on recent French cinema and its actors.” Includes:

  • POLICE d. Maurice Pialat, 1985 (01 DEC 20:30 / 13 DEC 18:00); SOUS LE SOLEIL DE SATAN aka Under the Sun of Satan d. Maurice Pialat, 1987 (04 DEC 20:45 / 30 DEC 20:35); VAN GOGH d. Maurice Pialat, 1991 (11 DEC 20:00 / 29 DEC 15:50); and, LE GARÇU 35mm d. Maurice Pialat, 1995 (18 DEC 20:40 / 21 DEC 18:10).
  • Sight & Sound Deep Focus: DON’T FORGET YOU’RE GOING TO DIE aka N’oublie pas que tu vas mourir d. Xavier Beauvois, 1995 (07 DEC 17:50 / 08 DEC 20:00); PONETTE 35mm d. Jacques Doillon, 1996 (09 DEC 20:30 / 15 DEC 19:40); and, THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS 35mm aka La vie revée des anges d. Erick Zonca, 1998 (20 DEC 20:45 / 29 DEC 14:00).

MED HONDO: AFRICA FROM THE SEINE at BFI Southbank (DEC):

“Every film lover should experience the wide palette and unique vision of Med Hondo’s cinema.” Includes:

Films in London this month: BLINDMAN, part of MIDNIGHT EXCESS at Rio Cinema (14 DEC).
Films in London this month: BLINDMAN, part of MIDNIGHT EXCESS at Rio Cinema (12 OCT to 14 DEC).

MIDNIGHT EXCESS at Rio Cinema (12 OCT to 14 DEC):

“MIDNIGHT EXCESS is a film programme from SUPAKINO that brings back the thrill of weird and wonderful late-night movies to London’s historic Rio Cinema.” Includes:

MUSICALS! THE GREATEST SHOW ON SCREEN at BFI Southbank (OCT to DEC):

“Dust off your dancing shoes, practice your scales and join us for some heart-lifting movies, special events and joyful singalongs.” Includes:

SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE: THE OPPOSITIONAL FILMS OF CINEMA ACTION at Deptford Cinema (08 to 16 DEC):

“Films from a collective who helped define independent British film and produced some of the most powerful documents of political struggles during the 70s and 80s.” Presented by Wavelength. Includes:

TRIBUTE TO DELPHINE SEYRIG – ACTRESS, DIRECTOR AND ACTIVIST at Ciné Lumière (01 DEC 2019 to 04 FEB 2020):

“From being a film icon to supporting emerging women directors, Delphine Seyrig (1932-1990) increasingly got involved in the women’s rights and social struggles of her times, both in France and internationally, especially via the making of activist videos with her collective ‘Les Insoumuses’ (Defiant Muses) and through co-founding the Simone de Beauvoir Audiovisual Centre in Paris.” Includes:

  • L’ANNÉE DERNIÈRE À MARIENBAD aka Last Year at Marienbad d. Alain Resnais, 1961 (01 DEC 14:00 / 03 DEC 18:30); INDIA SONG d. Marguerite Duras, 1975 (08 DEC 14:00 / 10 DEC 19:45 + Intro by Professor Richard Dyer); and, PEAU D’ÂNE aka Donkey Skin d. Jacques Demy, 1970 (15 DEC 14:00 / 17 DEC 18:30).

UKRAINIAN FILM DAYS at Ciné Lumière & Curzon Soho (05 to 08 DEC):

“The Institut Français du Royaume-Uni, Curzon Soho and the Ukrainian Institute London offer you a film series showcasing the country’s fine tradition of film-making.” Includes:

  • HOMEWARD d. Nariman Aliev, 2019 + Q&A with actor Akhtem Seitablayev (06 DEC 18:30 – Ciné Lumière); THE WILD FIELDS d. Iaroslav Lodygin, 2018 + Q&A with the director (07 DEC 17:30 – Curzon Soho); VOLCANO d. Roman Bondarchuk, 2018 + Q&A with the director (08 DEC 11:00 – Curzon Soho); and, SWAN LAKE: THE ZONEd. Yuri Ilyenko, 1990 + Panel Discussion (08 DEC 19:00 – Ciné Lumière).

WE’RE GONNA PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999! at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

“1999 was an EPIC year for movies – so we’re bringing a whole heap of it back to the big-screen!” Includes:

  • THE MATRIX d. Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski, 1999 (26 DEC 20:45); and, FIGHT CLUB 35mm d. David Fincher, 1999 (27 DEC 16:35).

FILM FESTIVALS (A–Z)

Films in London this month: ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND, part of London International Animation Festival at Rio Cinema (05 DEC).
Films in London this month: ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND, part of London International Animation Festival (29 NOV to 08 DEC).

Film festivals in London this month include:

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*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Apologies if we have missed your event. 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 already be sold out. Please click quickly! We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+.