Films in London this month: UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES, part of BEFORE THE NIGHT at Ciné Lumière & ESSENTIAL CINEMA at Close-Up.
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NOW BOOKING: Films in London this month [JANUARY 2020]

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’ll 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 screen digests.

UPDATED [23 JAN] ARIKE OKE: AS SCENE, REEL TIME FOR BLACK LOVE & OUT IN MERTON seasons added. // UPDATED [17 JAN]: FIRST FILMS season added at Classic Cinema Club – Ealing. // IN FOCUS: KAZUO HARA season added at ICA // MUSICULTS added at Genesis Cinema. UPDATED [13 JAN]: REMINISCENCES OF JONAS MEKAS and IN HARM’S WAY: THE FILMS OF MAJED NEISI added at Close-Up. // New ESSENTIAL CINEMA dates added at Close-Up. UDATED [07 JAN]: Rainbow Umbrella added to festivals. // DIAMONDS IN THE SKY added to seasons. // HAPPY B-DAY JIM! added to seasons.

FEATURED ATTRACTION

Due to festive holidays, this guide was prepared on 05 JAN, meaning we’ve possibly missed a few early screenings in 2020… No time to hang around!

Plenty of new seasons already open across London this month, including blockbuster programmes at BFI Southbank – CAROLE LOMBARD: THE BRIGHTEST STAR and FELLINI – a suite of inspiring projections at The Prince Charles (our favourites include ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY, THE FILMS OF CÉLINE SCIAMMA and an invitation to JOIN THE #BONGHIVE), and two rousing strands at Regent Street, ACADEMY (ratio that is…) and PRE-CODE classics. Further F-rated programmes include a day of JODIE MACK at Deptford Cinema, a celebration of FAY WELDON at BFI Southbank and two chances to revisit the works of Lynne Ramsay (at both ICA and The Prince Charles).

Our featured attraction of the month goes to a venue, Ciné Lumière, for a triple bill of outstanding events. TRIBUTE TO DELPHINE SEYRIG – ACTRESS, DIRECTOR AND ACTIVIST continues from last year whilst MELODIA!: DISCOVERING MUSICALS FROM RUSSIA & THE CAUCASUS takes 2019’s interest in movie musicals in a fascinating direction. BEFORE THE NIGHT leads into the venue’s annual Night of Ideas, giving one of this month’s two chances to see a RADIANT CIRCUS favourite, UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES* (the other chance being Close-Up’s essential ESSENTIAL CINEMA series).

Squeezing into this month’s roundup by the narrowest of margins is the always fascinating Japan Foundation’s Touring Film Programme which focuses this year on HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND: JOY & DESPAIR IN JAPANESE CINEMA. Screenings start at ICA on 31 JAN.

Festivals are relatively thin on the ground this month, but that gives guilt-free space for you to indulge in one of the year’s finest, the London Short Film Festival, across London from 10 to 19 JAN.

We’ll update this guide as the month unfolds, so keep coming back for more. See you in darkness soon…

NEW AT RADIANT CIRCUS

ONE CUT OF THE DEAD presented by Richmond Film Society at The Exchange.

Our (only!) New Year’s resolution is to investigate and celebrate more of London’s alternative community cinema scene. We started our #32BoroughsOfFilm in late 2019, reaching three boroughs and the City Of London with our very own pop-up project, LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY. Following up on those visits, we’re proud to list new season offerings at:

There’s plenty more distance to travel… Get in touch via email or DM on Twitter if you would like RADIANT CIRCUS to attend your screening.

We’re delighted to be working with the volunteers at recently saved Screen25 Cinema in South Norwood to offer our monthly subscribers a juicy £2 discount on every ticket. Support RADIANT CIRCUS – and get all our unique listings emailed directly! – by heading over to patreon.com/radiantcircus to get signed up and unlock the code.

Screen25 Spring Season Patreon Exclusive Promo Code at RADIANT CIRCUS

FILMS IN LONDON THIS MONTH

REPERTORY SEASONS (A–Z)

Films in London this month: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, part of 1950s HITCHCOCK at The Prince Charles (JAN to APR).
Films in London this month: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN 35mm, part of 1950s HITCHCOCK at The Prince Charles (JAN to APR).

70mm PRESENTATIONS at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

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

  • 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 70mm d. Stanley Kubrick, 1968 (08 JAN 20:15 / 11 JAN 12:00 / 14 JAN 20:15 / 18 JAN 17:00 / 20 JAN 20:15 / 23 JAN 20:15); JOKER 70mm d. Todd Phillips, 2019 (25 JAN 17:55 / 28 JAN 20:45).

1950s HITCHCOCK at The Prince Charles (JAN to APR):

1999 – 2019: EXPLORING 20 YEARS OF SCI-FI at The Prince Charles (2020):

ACADEMY AT REGENT ST. at Regent Street Cinema (JAN to FEB):

“Before the advent of widescreen formats such as CinemaScope, VistaVision and Todd A-O, all films were shot at the (by modern standards) boxy aspect ratio of 1.37:1, also known as the Academy ratio. Some of the greatest films ever made were produced on this format and we’re delighted to bring them back to the big screen.” Includes:

ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):

  • EL TOPO d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1970 (10 to 16 JAN); THE HOLY MOUNTAIN d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1973 (24 to 30 JAN); and, FANDO Y LIS d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1968 (07 FEB 16:00 / 09 FEB 12:15 / 12 FEB 18:30).

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

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

ALTERNATE REALITIES at The Barbican (13 to 19 JAN):

“Join us for Sheffield Doc/Fest’s pioneering digital art strand, featuring two works from the festival’s Alternate Realities exhibition of interactive and immersive non-fiction.” Includes:

AMERICAN NEW WAVE at The Prince Charles (2020):

“We’re going to be runnin this strand throughout the year so keep checking back, as there is a lot more still to come!” Includes:

ARIKE OKE: AS SCENE at Mitcham Library (29 to 31 JAN – FREE!):

“Arike Oke, director of Black Cultural Archives, curates a very personal season of films which explore her mixed-heritage background. Presented by FilmMerton.” Includes:

  • ID PROJECT d. Richard Etienne, 2019 (29 JAN 15:15); THIS IS ENGLAND d. Shane Meadows, 2006 (30 JAN 15:15); and, KIDULTHOOD d. Menhaj Huda, 2006 + Short: THE SECRET OF GS d. Caleb Femi (31 JAN 15:15).

A WORM’S TAIL VIEW IS OFTEN THE TRUE ONE: FILMS BY PERE PORTABELLA at Close-Up & BFI Southbank (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:

BEFORE THE NIGHT at Ciné Lumière (24 to 29 JAN):

“In the run-up to the Night of Ideas on 30 January, a film programme will be exploring the two main themes of the Night, Nature And Us and Machines Like Us, providing further food for thought!” Includes:

BEST OF 2019 at DocHouse (DEC to JAN):

Films in London this month: FREAKS 35mm, part of BIG SCREEN CLASSICS at BFI.
Films in London this month: FREAKS 35mm, part of BIG SCREEN CLASSICS at BFI.

BIG SCREEN CLASSICS at BFI Southbank (DEC to JAN):

  • FREAKS 35mm d. Tod Browning, 1932 (06 JAN 18:00 / 16 JAN 21:00 / 18 JAN 18:00 / 21 JAN 18:00); TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI d. Jacques Becker, 1954 (06 JAN 20:50 / 08 JAN 21:00 / 23 JAN 17:50); THE ASPHALT JUNGLE d. John Huston, 1950 (07 JAN 20:45 / 27 KAN 18:10); SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT aka Sommarnattens Leende d. Ingmar Bergman, 1955 + Intro by Geoff Andrew (08 JAN 18:05); 12 ANGRY MEN d. Sidney Lumet, 1957 (09 JAN 17:45 / 19 JAN 16:50 / 20 JAN 20:45); JOHNNY GUITAR 4K d. Nicholas Ray, 1954 (10 JAN 18:20 / 26 JAN 19:50); TO SLEEP WITH ANGER 35mm d. Charles Burnett, 1990 (10 JAN 20:40); THE WOMEN 35mm d. George Cukor, 1939 (11 JAN 14:20); HUSBANDS 4K d. John Cassavetes, 1970 (11 JAN 20:20); RIO BRAVO d. Howard Hawks, 1959 (12 JAN 13:30); SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT aka Sommarnattens Leende d. Ingmar Bergman, 1955 (12 JAN 19:50 / 28 JAN 20:50); DAY FOR NIGHT 35mm aka La Nuit Américaine d. François Truffaut, 1973 (13 JAN 18:10 / 24 JAN 18:10 / 26 JAN 20:00 / 30 JAN 20:50); ARMY OF SHADOWS L’armée Des Ombres d. Jean-Pierre Melville, 1969 (14 JAN 20:15 / 25 JAN 17:30 / 31 JAN 20:15); TO SLEEP WITH ANGER 35mm d. Charles Burnett, 1990 + Intro by David Somerset (15 JAN 18:10); THE ASPHALT JUNGLE d. John Huston, 1950 + Intro by Dr Lucy Bolton (22 JAN 18:00); and, RIO BRAVO d. Howard Hawks, 1959 + Intro by Geoff Andrew (29 JAN 18:00).

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:

  • CITY OF GOD d. Kátia Lund & Fernando Meirelles, 2002 18 JAN 19:30).

CAROLE LOMBARD: THE BRIGHTEST STAR at BFI Southbank (JAN):

“We celebrate a bright, shining star of the silver screen with a selection of her best films, from the ‘origins’ of screwball to dazzlingly delightful romcoms.” Includes:

CHINESE NEW YEAR at BFI Southbank (19 to 26 JAN):

“Celebrate Chinese New Year in a variety of genres, from the traditional New Year’s fare of comedy-drama, to popular new documentary.” Includes:

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN SELECTROSPECTIVE at The Prince Charles (JAN to MAR):

DIAMONDS IN THE SKY at Genesis Cinema & The Prince Charles (09 to 17 JAN):

“A season exploring pop music and freedom of female expression. Curated by Annie Mullineux as part of the Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA at NFTS.” Includes:

ESSENTIAL CINEMA at Close-Up (23 DEC to 31 JAN):

“Our ongoing repertory series presenting masterpieces from throughout the history of cinema. The current programme particularly focusses on fairytales, folklore, ghost stories and the uncanny.” Includes:

FAY WELDON at BFI Southbank (JAN):

“We celebrate the groundbreaking TV work of Britain’s first lady of feminist fiction.” Includes:

FELLINI at BFI Southbank (JAN to FEB):

“Enjoy the start of a two-month season on one of world cinema’s most exuberantly playful filmmakers.” Includes:

  • Walkers & Wanderers: I VITELLONI 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1953 (07 JAN 20:30 / 12 JAN 17:00 / 19 JAN 20:10 / 21 JAN 20:50 / 24 JAN 20:45); CITY OF WOMEN 4K aka La Città Delle Donne d. Federico Fellini, 1980 (08 JAN 18:00 / 16 JAN 20:15 / 28 JAN 20:20); LA STRADA 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1954 (09 JAN 18:30 / 18 JAN 13:00 / 25 JAN 20:40); NIGHTS OF CABIRIA 4K aka Le Notti di Cabiria d. Federico Fellini, 1957 (10 JAN 20:45 / 13 JAN 20:35 / 24 JAN 18:15 / 27 JAN 18:00); and, THE VOICE OF THE MOON 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1990 (06 JAN 20:30 / 11 JAN 20:35 / 29 JAN 18:10).
  • Society & Spectacle: FELLINI SATYRICON 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1969 (08 JAN 20:35 / 15 JAN 20:30 / 25 JAN 17:45); LIGHTS OF VARIETY 35mm aka Luci del varietà d. rico Fellini & Alberto Lattuada, 1950 (09 JAN 20:40 / 29 JAN 21:00); FELLINI’S CASANOVA 4K aka Il Casanova di Federico Fellini d. Federico Fellini, 1976 (11 JAN 17:00 / 12 JAN 19:30 / 26 JAN 16:45); THE WHITE SHEIK 4K aka Lo Sceicco Bianco d. Federico Fellini, 1952 (18 JAN 21:00 / 31 JAN 18:15); FELLINI: A DIRECTOR’S NOTEBOOK 4K + ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1969 + 1978 (20 JAN 18:00 / 31 JAN 20:20); and, GINGER & FRED 4K aka Ginger e Fred d. Federico Fellini, 1986 (23 JAN 18:10 / 27 JAN 20:35).
  • Talks: Perspectives on Fellini Panel Discussion (07 JAN 18:20).
  • Weekender: Viva Fellini! (18 to 19 JAN – check venue for programme).
  • Re-release: LA DOLCE VITA 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1960 Previews (06 to 23 JAN); and, LA DOLCE VITA 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1960 + Intro by Giulia Saccogna (09 JAN 14:00).
Films in London this month: TOMBOY, part of THE FILMS OF CÉLINE SCIAMMA at The Prince Charles.
Films in London this month: TOMBOY, part of THE FILMS OF CÉLINE SCIAMMA at The Prince Charles.

THE FILMS OF CÉLINE SCIAMMA at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):

  • WATER LILIES aka Naissance Des Pieuvres d. Céline Sciamma, 2007 (14 JAN 18:10); and, TOMBOY d. Céline Sciamma, 2011 (28 JAN 18:30).

THE FILMS OF LYNNE RAMSAY at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):

FIRST FILMS at Classic Cinema Club – Ealing (JAN to FEB):

“We begin the new year and decade with some important firsts in cinema: promising debuts; first-time collaborators; and the first motions of major film movements. Featuring famous all-time greats and lesser-known masterpieces, we hope some of these are new to you.” Includes:

HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND: JOY & DESPAIR IN JAPANESE CINEMA at ICA (31 JAN to 16 FEB):

“Happiness, though universal in its importance, is felt so subjectively by humankind that the definition of the concept is still very elusive. And yet, the search for happiness has long provided Japanese cinema with a staple theme.” Includes:

HAPPY B-DAY JIM! at House Of Vans (16 JAN to 02 FEB – FREE!/No booking required):

“It’s January, the month of the new year’s resolutions and, of course, the birthday of the king of comedy: Jim Carrey. To celebrate, we’ll be screening a retrospective film series in ode to Jim’s life on the big screen.” Includes:

IN FOCUS: KAZUO HARA at ICA (31 JAN to 04 FEB):

“A programme of four feature films from one of Japan’s most renowned documentary filmmakers, presented in partnership with Second Run.” Includes:

IN FOCUS: LYNNE RAMSAY at ICA (29 DEC to 07 JAN):

“A programme of three feature films celebrating the singular work of Scottish director Lynne Ramsay.” Includes:

IN HARM’S WAY: THE FILMS OF MAJED NEISI at Close-Up (18 JAN & 08 FEB):

“Born in Southwest Iran, Majed Neisi has dedicated himself to examining the pathology of war in a succession of Middle Eastern battlegrounds, documenting a rare picture of ordinary people’s resilience. We’re delighted to welcome Majed Neisi to Close-Up for the first UK retrospective of his documentaries.” Includes:

JODIE MACK at Deptford Cinema (25 JAN):

JOHN CASSAVETES IN 35MM at The Prince Charles (JAN to MAR):

  • FACES 35mm d. John Cassavetes, 1968 (19 JAN 20:45).

JOIN THE #BONGHIVE at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):

“we’re trying to bring as many of Bong Joon-ho’s titles to our screen as possible; there are continual rights issues with SNOWPIERCER, and MEMORIES OF MURDER has recently become unavailable, but we’re working on both so keep your fingers crossed!” Includes:

Films in London this month: HISPTERS, part of MELODIA!: DISCOVERING MUSICALS FROM RUSSIA & THE CAUCASUS at Ciné Lumière.
Films in London this month: HISPTERS, part of MELODIA!: DISCOVERING MUSICALS FROM RUSSIA & THE CAUCASUS at Ciné Lumière.

MELODIA!: DISCOVERING MUSICALS FROM RUSSIA & THE CAUCASUS at Ciné Lumière (07 to 31 JAN):

“A thrilling season of classic and contemporary musicals from Russia and the Caucasus, Melodia! celebrates the diversity and complexity of the genre across Soviet, Russian and Caucasian cultures.” Includes:

MUSICULTS at Genesis Cinema (JAN):

“Forget everything you’ve known about musicals… Genesis presents musiCULTS, a season of dirty, daring and in your face flicks that will make you reconsider the genre as a whole.” Includes:

NOAH BAUMBACH SELECTROSPECTIVE at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):

ON FOOD & SUBVERSION at ICA (20 DEC to 05 JAN):

“The dining room becomes an open arena for lust, brutality, irrationality and ultimately, liberation in this programme of four outstanding works of European cinema.” Includes:

OUT IN MERTON at various venues (24 JAN to 28 FEB):

“FilmMerton presents a short season of LGBT+ films.” Includes:

PRE-CODE AT REGENT ST. at Regent Street Cinema (JAN to FEB):

“The 1934 Motion Picture Production Code (also known as the Hays Code) attempted to ensure that “no picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it.” In the brief window of major Hollywood productions pre-Code, however, many films did just that. And we are delighted to screen them for you…” Includes:

REEL TIME FOR BLACK LOVE at Johmard Centre (17 JAN to 29 FEB):

REMINISCENCES OF JONAS MEKAS at Close-Up (19 to 22 JAN):

“A year after his passing, the Lithuanian Embassy and Close-Up remember the great Jonas Mekas.” Includes:

THE SAFDIE BROTHERS at The Prince Charles (JAN):

  • DADDY LONGLEGS d. Benny Safdie & Josh Safdie, 2009 w/ Little White Lies ‘Truth & Movies’ Podcast (09 JAN 20:35); UNCUT GEMS d. Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie, 2019 (10 to 16 JAN); and, GOOD TIME d. Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie, 2017 (31 JAN 20:45).

SCI-FI SUNDAYS: IS THIS YESTERDAY? at Deptford Cinema (2020):

“This year Sci-Fi Sundays is pleased to be working alongside another DC science fiction season – Is This Yesterday? A film season exploring issues of invasion, atomic power and the red threat in 1950s Hollywood Sci-Fi.” Includes:

STUDIO GHIBLI FOREVER at The Prince Charles (forever!):

“Never far from our screen are the legendary films from the greatest animation house on the planet, Studio Ghibli.” 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:

FILM FESTIVALS (A–Z)

Films in London this month: IN A FAR AWAY LAND, part of the Opening Night of London Short Film Festival 2020 (10 to 19 JAN).
Films in London this month: IN A FAR AWAY LAND, part of the Opening Night of London Short Film Festival 2020 (10 to 19 JAN).

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+.

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