SCREEN GUIDE: Films in London this week [07 to 13 FEB 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 great films in London this week*.
FRI 07 // SAT 08 // SUN 09 // MON 10 // TUE 11 // WED 12 // THU 13
Find films in London this week by:
SINGLE-O EXHIBITS (one-off attractions – by date) // MUSEUM SHOWS (several exhibits under one roof – by seasons & festivals) // GRIND SHOWS (a selection of new releases & regular runs).
FEATURED ATTRACTION
If you’re excited about this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, many of London’s screens are already exploring the amazing riches of Japanese cinema. The Japan Foundation’s touring film programme is already underway at ICA (until 16 FEB) and the BFI is gearing up for a major blockbuster season later in the year which will spiral out to community screens with the support of their audience network. This week we’ve listed a couple of deep dives into the country’s more extreme screen culture: ICHI THE KILLER comes with post-film salon with Nick Walker at Genesis Cinema, whilst Jasper Sharp talks about “erotic grotesque nonsense” for the Miskatonic horror institute at The Swedenborg Society (both 13 FEB). NAKED ENGLAND at The Horse Hospital with ‘live translation’ from the Italian voiceover would make a perfect companion piece (08 FEB).
On a geographically adjacent note, there’s a rare pair of restored Taiwanese-language films screening for FREE! at King’s College London this week: THE RICE DUMPLING VENDORS (07 FEB) and the one we’re most excited about, TARZAN & THE TREASURE (08 FEB).
Of course, it’s Oscars week and many venues are screening the competing titles. Barbican is the place to head for a bumper crop in collaboration with The Academy, including a rare chance to see the international features and shorts (live action and animated) all in one place (07 to 13 FEB – see seasons). In our own ongoing nod to such affairs, we’ve chosen three films by women directors as our recommended new releases of the week, including one by a true RADIANT CIRCUS screen hero: Agnieszka Holland’s MR. JONES opens at Ciné Lumière (see grind shows below).
It’s also the week building up to Valentine’s Day and London’s indie screens are awash with film choices, ranging from clichéd Clinton Cards-like celluloid to some truly wondrous affairs. Our featured attraction is therefore the far from silent screening of Augusto Genina’s 1923 CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Phoenix Cinema which features “frame-by-frame Pathéchrome” colour (09 FEB). It will be stunning. If you’ve got the silent film bug, Kennington Bioscope returns to The Cinema Museum with the kinkily titled THE WHIPPING BOSS and RAPSODIA SATANICA screens as part of the Ealing Music & Film Festival (both 12 FEB).
See you in darkness…
Richard – Barker-In-Chief, RADIANT CIRCUS
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Check out our epic roundup of February’s rep seasons & fests.
Read our in-depth guide to the Japan Foundation’s Touring Film Programme at ICA (31 JAN to 16 FEB). We’ve also posted the first of our event writeups: TEN DARK WOMEN (01 FEB 2020).
FILMS IN LONDON THIS WEEK
SINGLE-O EXHIBITS
ONE-OFF MOVIE NIGHTS, FILM EVENTS & GALLERY SCREENINGS (by date/event)
FRI 07
KILL ME TOMORROW + DEMONS OF THE MIND d. Terence Fisher, 1957 + d. Peter Sykes 1972 + Intro at The Cinema Museum (07 FEB 18:45):
- Gothique Film Society presents: “A double bill of home grown thrills. KILL ME TOMORROW: A boozy reporter loses his wife and his job, then finds his old boss dead in his office. DEMONS OF THE MIND: A physician investigating two ‘imprisoned’ children discovers a web of sex, incest and satanic possession.”
RICE DUMPLING VENDORS d. Xin Qi, 1969 + Short: BINDING d. Chen Ting-Ning, 2019 at Kings’s College London (07 FEB 19:30 – FREE!):
- “In a film originally called ‘The Underwear Scandal’, a jealous husband throws his wife out after finding a man’s boxer shorts in her bed. Of course, she is blameless, but will he ever find out? And how will he fend for his children now that his mistress has swindled him out of his money? A cautionary tale of moral crisis amongst the nouveau riche.”
More films in London today (A – Z):
- A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE d. Elia Kazan, 1951 at Ciné Lumière (07 FEB 19:30). BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ d. Pamela B. Green, 2018 at DocHouse (07 FEB 13:50). EVERYTHING – THE REAL THING STORY d. Simon Sheridan, 2019 at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (07 FEB 19:00). FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, 2019 at DocHouse (07 FEB 16:30). THE HOLY MOUNTAIN d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1973 at ICA (07 FEB 12:15). LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig at Rich Mix (07 FEB 15:10). LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig, 2019 at The Lexi (07 FEB 18:10). MR. JONES d. Agnieszka Holland, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (07 FEB 20:45). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarantino, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (07 FEB 17:30). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarrantino, 2019 presented by Screen25 Cinema at Harris Academy South Norwood (07 FEB 19:45). UNCUT GEMS d. Benny Safdie & Josh Safdie, 2019 at The Lexi (07 FEB 20:50).
SAT 08
PARASITE d. Bong Joon-ho, 2019 + Panel at Picturehouse Central (08 FEB 14:00):
- BEATS Cinema presents: “The panel for this special screening will dive into the themes of capitalism, inequality and class divide that the film touches upon, and discuss the film’s impact for the East Asian community. Guests include playwright and filmmaker In-Sook Chappell, Hyun Jin Cho, the Film Curator at Korean Cultural Centre and London Korean Film Festival, and Elaine Wong, the Short Programme Advisor at BFI London Film Festival.”
NAKED ENGLAND aka Inghilterra Nuda d. Vittorio De Sisti, 1969 + Live Translation at The Horse Hospital (08 FEB 19:00):
- “Trepanning, hard drugs, naked happenings at the Arts Lab, and a crucifixion on Hampstead Heath. It’s all in NAKED ENGLAND – an extreme UK-shot example of the salacious Mondo Movie pseudo-documentary phenomena, which seedily centres on the capital. Plus: a selection of sensational British Mondo trailers, and the weird and wonderful, James Mason-fronted THE LONDON THAT NOBODY KNOWS (1969).”
PETER CUSHING: IN HIS OWN WORDS d. Richard Edwards, 2019 + Q&A with the director & special guests at The Cinema Museum 08 FEB 19:00):
- Rabbit & Snail Films presents: “A special gala screening of their feature documentary, PETER CUSHING: IN HIS OWN WORDS (2019), followed by a Q&A hosted by author and film historian Morris Bright MBE, who will be joined on stage by the director, contributors Derek Fowlds, Madeline Smith, Valerie Leon, Judy Matheson, Brian Reynolds and Phil Campbell, and narrator Jenny Hanley.”
More films in London today (A – Z):
- 1917 d. Sam Mendes, 2019 at ArtHouse Crouch End (08 FEB 13:20). A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD d. Marielle Heller, 2019 at Phoenix Cinema (08 FEB 14:00). A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE d. Elia Kazan, 1951 at Ciné Lumière (08 FEB 18:00). BAIT d Mark Jenkin, 2019 + Short: TRAVELOGUE (1920s Archival Footage) at BFI Southbank (08 FEB 13:40). Derek Jarman Documentaries presented by Deeper Into Movies at SET (08 FEB 14:00). THE IRISHMAN d. Martin Scorsese, 2019 at The David Lean (08 FEB 13:30). JOKER d. Todd Phillips, 2019 at Rich Mix (08 FEB 21:00). JANKA d. Adela Kaczmarek, 2019 at Polish Social & Cultural Association (08 FEB 15:00). THE KINGMAKER d. Lauren Greenfield, 2019 at Deptford Cinema (08 FEB 20:00). MR. JONES d. Agnieszka Holland, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (08 FEB 13:40, 16:00, 18:25 & 20:50). MY FRIEND FELA d. Joel Zito Araújo, 2019 + Skype Q&A with the director presented by African Odysseys at BFI (08 FEB 14:00). SHOW ME THE PICTURE: THE STORY OF JIM MARSHALL d. Alfred George Bailey, 2019 at DocHouse (08 FEB 14:30). UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG d. Jacques Demy, 1964 + Talk by Jon Davies presented by French Impressions at Watermans (08 FEB 13:00). UNCUT GEMS d. Benny Safdie & Josh Safdie, 2019 at The Lexi (08 FEB 19:50).
SUN 09
CYRANO DE BERGERAC d. Augusto Genina, 1923 + Live musical accompaniment by John Sweeney at Phoenix Cinema (09 FEB 15:00);
- “The earliest film adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s classic tale of swashbuckling and unexpressed love, this 1923 version of the familiar French story (the nasally over-endowed poet, soldier and duelist Cyrano de Bergerac, his beloved Roxanne, her would-be lover Christian) features frame-by-frame Pathéchrome (Pathé Stencil Colour), a true labour-intensive rarity of the Silent Era and a real treat for the eye!”
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK d. Barry Jenkins, 2018 + Discussion at Deptford Cinema (09 FEB 14:30):
- Deptford Cinema Film & Book Club presents: “Adapted from James Baldwin’s 1974 novella of the same title, this romantic drama follows a young black couple, Tish and Fonny, as they fall in love and start their own family amidst the struggles and racial tensions of seventies New York. When Fonny is falsely convicted of rape and sent to jail, the fierce and heavily pregnant Tish fights to clear his name.”
More films in London today (A – Z):
- 1917 d. Sam Mendes, 2019 at ArtHouse Crouch End (09 FEB 15:40). A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD d. Marielle Heller, 2019 at Phoenix Cinema (09 FEB 12:15). ARAKIMENTARI d. Travis Klose, 2004 presented by Deeper Into Movies at SET (09 FEB 14:00). A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE d. Elia Kazan, 1951 at Ciné Lumière (09 FEB 15:40). BAIT d Mark Jenkin, 2019 + Short: TRAVELOGUE (1920s Archival Footage) at BFI Southbank (09 FEB 18:15). THE BIG MEETING d. Daniel Draper, 2019 presented by London Socialist Film Co-op at Bolivar Hall (09 FEB 11:00). BOB MARLEY: THE MAKING OF A LEGEND d. Ester Anderson & Gian Godoy, 2011 presented by POP-Corn at Poplar Union (09 FEB 14:00 – FREE!). CYRANO DE BERGERAC 4K d. Jean-Paul Rappeneau, 1990 at Regent Street Cinema (09 FEB 19:30). EAT THE PEACH d. Peter Ormrod, 1986 at Irish Cultural Centre (09 FEB 18:00). E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL d. Steven Spielberg, 1982 at Catford Mews (09 FEB 11:00). FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, 2019 at DocHouse (09 FEB 20:00 ). JOJO RABBIT d. Taika Waititi, 2019 at Rich Mix (09 FEB 15:15). MONSOON WEDDING d. Mira Nair, 2001 + 3-Course Lunch At The India Club (09 FEB 13:30). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarantino, 2019 at Whirled Cinema (09 FEB 18:00). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarantino, 2019 at Rich Mix (09 FEB 20:00). OUTSIDE THE CITY d. Nick Hamer, 2019 at The Lexi (09 FEB 14:00). THE ROOM w/ Tommy Wiseau Live On Stage at The Prince Charles (09 FEB 20:30).
MON 10
More films in London today (A – Z):
- A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD d. Marielle Heller, 2019 at Phoenix Cinema (10 FEB 12:40). A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at The Lexi (10 FEB 14:30). BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ d. Pamela B. Green, 2018 at DocHouse (10 FEB 20:30). JOJO RABBIT d. Taika Waititi, 2019 at Rich Mix (10 FEB 15:30). JOKER d. Todd Phillips, 2019 at Rich Mix (10 FEB 20:30). THE ROOM w/ Tommy Wiseau Live On Stage at The Prince Charles (10 FEB 18:15 & 21:00). THE TWO POPES d. Fernando Meirelles, 2019 at The Lexi (10 FEB 18:10). UNCUT GEMS d. Benny Safdie & Josh Safdie, 2019 at The Lexi (10 FEB 20:50).
TUE 11
British Animation Awards Public Choice 2 at Regent Street Cinema (11 FEB 18:30):
- “A chance for the public to vote on their favourite British short animation film and animated music video. BAA Public Choice programmes consist of a selection of outstanding short films and music videos from the entries to the British Animation Awards 2020. Also: Public Choice 3 (12 FEB 20:50).”
MONOS d. Alejandro Landes, 2019 + Intro at Curzon Wimbledon (11 FEB 20:30):
- Wimbledon Film Club presents: “The regimented life of a group of teenage guerrillas, living in a surreal landscape, mutates spectacularly when left to their own devices. Inspired by his native Colombia, Alejandro Landes’ drama spellbinds with disturbing universality.”
STOLEN LIFE 35mm d. Paul Czinner, 1939 + Intro by Vic Pratt at BFI Southbank (11 FEB 18:00);
- “Two Bergners for the price of one!’ promised the press material for STOLEN LIFE, a film offering the Austrian émigré the perfect subject for her return to the screen, playing identical twins who fall for the same man. One of the decade’s finest actors, Elisabeth Bergner embraced the dual role and gives a performance of understated naturalness and poignancy.”
More films in London today (A – Z):
- A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at The Lexi (11 FEB 18:40). A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at ICA (11 FEB 20:25). A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN d. Elia Kazan, 1945 presented by Tufnell Park Film Club (11 FEB 20:00). CACTUS FLOWER d. Gene Saks, 1969 at TT Liquor (11 FEB 18:30). THE HOLY MOUNTAIN d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1973 at ICA (11 FEB 12:15). FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, 2019 at DocHouse (11 FEB 18:20). I’M NOT THERE d. Todd Haynes, 2007 presented by Deeper Into Movies at Peckham Levels (11 FEB 19:30 – FREE!). LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig at Rich Mix (11 FEB 15:20). THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE d. Terry Gilliam, 2018 at Regent Street Cinema (11 FEB 20:45). MARRIAGE STORY d. Noah Baumbach, 2019 at The David Lean (11 FEB 19:30). MULHOLLAND DRIVE d. David Lynch, 2001 presented Westmnster Film Society at University of Westminster, Harrow Campus (11 FEB 18:00). THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW d. Jim Sharman, 1975 presented by The Orb Space At Blackfriars Settlement (11 FEB 18:30). THE ROOM w/ Tommy Wiseau Live On Stage at The Prince Charles (11 FEB 18:15 & 21:00). SALT OF THE EARTH d. Herbert Biberman, 1954 at Sands Films (11 FEB 20:00). SHOW ME THE PICTURE: THE STORY OF JIM MARSHALL d. Alfred George Bailey, 2019 at DocHouse (11 FEB 14:30). TEHRAN CITY OF LOVE d. Ali Jaberansari, 2018 + Q&A with the director at London Film School (11 FEB 18:00 – FREE!).
WED 12
ABYSS FILM d. James Richards & Leslie Thornton, 2018 + Discussion with the artists at Tate Modern (12 FEB 18:30).
- “Experience a unique audio-visual journey specially conceived for the Starr Cinema. British artist James Richards and American media pioneer Leslie Thornton have worked collaboratively since 2016. Abyss Film is their most recent project. It is a series of ‘collisions’ of their individual practices and interests. It takes the form of an electric one-hour collage of excerpts, raw material, sonic impulses and new experiments.”
MIDNIGHT FAMILY d. Luke Lorentzen, 2019 + Skype Q&A with the director & producer Kellen Quinn at BFI Southbank (12 FEB 18:10):
- “In Mexico City, the government operates fewer than 45 emergency ambulances for a population of 9 million. This has spawned a cut throat underground industry of for-profit, privately run ambulances. An exception in this ethically fraught business is the Ochoa family, led by charming 16-year-old paramedic Juan. The family spend their nights racing to incidents, up against corrupt police, competing rescue squads and the never-ending struggle to keep their dire finances from compromising the people in their care.”
THE WHIPPING BOSS 16mm d. P. J. McGowan, 1923 + THE BEST MAN, 1919 + PRUNING THE MOVIES 35mm, 1914 + Live accompaniment by Costas Fotopoulos, Colin Sell & John Sweeney at The Cinema Museum (12 FEB 19:30):
- Kennington Bioscope presents: “Christopher Bird will be presenting films from his own collection, including THE WHIPPING BOSS, an American drama directed by the pioneering Hollywood actor and director P. J. McGowan and written by Jack Boyle. The print to be shown is thought to be the only copy on 16mm. Another film in the programme is Thomas N. Heffron’s 1919 crime drama THE BEST MAN, starring J. Warren Kerrigan and Lois Wilson. The Library of Congress lists this as a ‘lost’ film, so this is a rare treat.”
More films in London today (A – Z):
- A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at The Lexi (12 FEB 14:30). A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at ICA (12 FEB 15:20). ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL d. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1974 presented by No Bollocks Film Club at The Castle Cinema (12 FEB 19:00). BAIT d Mark Jenkin, 2019 + Short: TRAVELOGUE (1920s Archival Footage) at BFI Southbank (12 FEB 20:45). British Animation Awards Public Choice 3 at Regent Street Cinema (12 FEB 20:50). C’EST LA VIE! d. Olivier Nakache & Éric Toledano, 2017 presented by Pitshanger Pictures at St Barnabas Church (12 FEB 20:15). HARRIET d. Kasi Lemmons, 2019 at The David Lean (12 FEB 19:30). JUDY d. Rupert Goold, 2019 at Rio Cinema (12 FEB 14:30). LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig at Rich Mix (12 FEB 15:00). THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE d. Terry Gilliam, 2018 at Regent Street Cinema (12 FEB 18:15). THE NOTEBOOK d. Nick Cassavetes, 2004 presented by Crofton Park Pictures at Rivoli Ballroom (12 FEB 20:00). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarrantino, 2019 presented by Screen25 Cinema at Harris Academy South Norwood (12 FEB 19:45). Overlapping Perspectives On Dora Maar + LUNCH IN FUR d. Ursula Mayer, 2008 at Ciné Lumière (12 FEB 18:30). ROMEO AND JULIET d. Franco Zeffirelli, 1968 at Regent Street Cinema (12 FEB 12:00 & 15:25). TEETH d. Mitchell Lichtenstein, 2007 presented by Zodiac Film Club at The Curtain (12 FEB 19:00 – Tickets only available in advance!). THE TRIP TO GREECE d. Michael Winterbottom, 2020 + Intro by Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon (12 FEB 18:15 – Central & 20:45 – Clapham). THE TRIP TO GREECE d. Michael Winterbottom, 2020 + Q&A with Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon at Picturehouse Fulham Road (12 FEB 20:00). WHEN TOMATOES MET WAGNER d. Marianna Economou, 2019 at DocHouse (12 FEB 16:30).
THU 13
Erotic Grotesque Nonsense and the Foundations of Japan’s Cult Counterculture Talk by Jasper Sharp at The Swedenborg Society (13 FEB 19:00):
- Miskatonic Institute For Horror Studies presents: “In this illustrated lecture, Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp leads us into the feverish world of ero guro nansensu, a term abbreviated from the English “erotic grotesque nonsense” that first entered common parlance in Japan in the 1920s, when it was applied by reactionary cultural critics to a group of writers who traded in detective, horror, and mystery fiction with an emphasis on deviant sexuality, the irrational, and the bizarre.”
ICHI THE KILLER d. Takashi Miike, 2001 + Intro/Salon Discussion with Nick Walker, Rochester Kino at Genesis Cinema (13 FEB 18:30):
- Cult Classic Collective presents: “In light of the release of Miike’s FIRST LOVE, Cult Classic Collective’s Nick Walker presents ICHI THE KILLER! Make sure to be in your seats on time as Nick will open the screening with an insightful introduction that will be then followed by a salon discussion for first time viewers and fans of the film alike.”
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT d. Frank Capra, 1934 + Intro/Discussion at The Cinema Museum (13 FEB 19:00):
- Film School presents: “Film Studies teacher Gareth Jones will outline some of the key debates in genre theory before the film, and afterwards, we get together in the Museum bar to discuss the film’s lasting influence on the rom-com genre, considering why some conventions endure, and what they can teach us about the values of our society. We look forward to seeing you there!”
More films in London today (A – Z):
- A GUIDE TO SECOND DATE SEX d. Rachel Hirons, 2019 previews at BFI (13 FEB 20:30). A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at ICA (13 FEB 13:35). A HIDDEN LIFE d. Terrence Malick, 2019 at Curzon Aldgate (13 FEB 19:45 – Other Curzons available!). AIRPLANE! d. Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker & David Zucker, 1980 + Short: OUT ON A LIMB d. James Dann presented by Truman’s at Genesis Cinema (13 FEB 21:10 + A FREE! pint of something Truman’s). BOOKSMART d. Olivia Wilde, 2019 at Everyman Screen On The Green (13 FEB 18:00 – Other Everymans available!). JOJO RABBIT d. Taika Waititi, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (13 FEB 20:50). LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig, 2019 at The Lexi (13 FEB 20:50). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarantino, 2019 at Rich Mix (13 FEB 20:00). PRETTY WOMAN d. Garry Marshall, 1990 presented by Crofton Park Pictures at Rivoli Ballroom (13 FEB 20:00). RAFIKI d. Wanuri Kahiu, 2018 presented by Talkies Community Cinema at The Dugdale Centre (13 FEB 19:45). SCANDAL 4K d. Michael Caton-Jones, 1989 + Q&A with the director, producer Stephen Woolley, writer Michael Thomas & exec producer Joe Boyd Blu-ray/DVD Launch at BFI Southbank (13 FEB 18:40). THE TWO POPES d. Fernando Meirelles, 2019 at The Lexi (13 FEB 18:10). WEATHERING WITH YOU aka Tenki no ko d. Makoto Shinkai, 2019 at The Prince Charles (13 FEB 13:15). WHEN TOMATOES MET WAGNER d. Marianna Economou, 2019 at DocHouse (13 FEB 20:30).
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MUSEUM SHOWS PART 1
SEASONS (by event/venue)
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.” Includes:
- TOP HAT 35mm d. Mark Sandrich, 1935 (09 FEB 14:30).
AFRICAN IDENTITIES REBORN at DocHouse (31 JAN to 16 FEB):
“Going beyond the misconceptions to look at how complex African identities are today.” Includes:
- TALKING ABOUT TREES d. Suhaib Gasmelbari, 2019 (until 13 FEB); and, MALI BLUES d. Lutz Gregor, 2017 (07 FEB 20:30 & 08 FEB 16:30).
ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):
- THE HOLY MOUNTAIN d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1973 (until 13 FEB/ Check venue for details); and, FANDO Y LIS d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1968 (07 FEB 16:00 / 09 FEB 12:15 / 12 FEB 18:30).
AUTOBIOGRAPHY & AUTOFICTION at Ciné Lumière (02 FEB to 31 MAR):
“Be it fictitious or real, our classic film season explores autobiography and autofiction through the lens of the greatest masters, from Truffaut to Tarkovsky, Akerman to Fellini.”
- AMARCORD d. Federico Fellini, 1973 (09 FEB 14:00 / 11 FEB 18:10).
BÉLA TARR at Deptford Cinema (13 FEB to 30 MAR):
“A season celebrating the Hungarian master of long takes. Epic films about the human condition.” Includes:
- ALMANAC OF FALL d. Béla Tarr, 1984 (13 FEB 19:30).
BEST OF 2019 at Ciné Lumière (FEB to MAR):
“For those who missed some of the standout films or those who want to watch them again, our Best of 2019 gathers a selection of 8 of the most acclaimed films of last year, giving you one more chance to see them on the big screen!” Includes:
- APOLLO 11d. Todd Douglas Miller, 2019 (08 FEB 16:00); and, FOR SAMA d. Waad al- Khateab & Edward Watts, 2019 (09 FEB 20:35).
BIG SCREEN CLASSICS: MAN VS NATURE at BFI Southbank (FEB):
“Humanity’s insatiable thirst to control everything that stands in its way has been especially true when it comes to the natural world. These films present different perspectives of mankind and nature bumping into each other in various ways.” Includes:
- THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX d. Robert Aldrich, 1965 (07 FEB 17:50); WALKABOUT d. Nicolas Roeg, 1971 (08 FEB 15:30); SOUTH, SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON’S GLORIOUS EPIC OF THE ANTARCTIC 35mm d. Trans Atlantic Film Syndicate-Frank Hurley, 1919 + live piano accompaniment by Costas Fotopoulos (08 FEB 20:45); THE GOLD RUSH d. Charles Chaplin, 1925 (09 FEB 15:20); FITZCARRALDO d. Werner Herzog, 1982 (09 FEB 19:50); THE JUNGLE BOOK d. Zoltan Korda, 1942 (09 FEB 12:50); THE AFRICAN QUEEN 4K d. John Huston, 1951 (10 FEB 18:15); KING KONG 35mm d. Merian C Cooper & Ernest B Schoedsack, 1933 (11 FEB 20:40); KOYAANISQATSI d. Godfrey Reggio, 1982 + Intro by Sophie Brown (12 FEB 18:20); and, THE WAGES OF FEAR 4K aka Le salaire de la peur d. Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1953 (13 FEB 17:45).
CENTRE OF TAIWAN STUDIES FILM WEEK at SOAS (10 to 12 FEB – FREE!):
- Taiyu Social Comedy or the Destruction of the KMT Myth? Talk by Dr Wafa Ghermani (10 FEB 13:00 – FREE!); Re-examining VENGENCE OF THE PHOENIX SISTERS and its Generic Hybridization Talk by Ru-Shou Robert Chen (10 FEB 15:30 – FREE!); ENCOUNTER AT THE STATION d. Xin Qi, 1965 (10 FEB 19:00 – FREE!); Taiwan Retro Cinema: Nostalgia Talk by Dr Corrado Neri (11 FEB 15:00 – FREE!); SIX SUSPECTS d. Lin Tuan-qiu, 1965 (11 FEB 18:00 – FREE!); PANAY d. Cheng Yu-Chieh, 2015 (12 FEB 13:15); LOKAH LAQI d. Laha Mebow, 2016 (12 FEB 15:30 – FREE!); and, PAKERIRAN d. Lekal Sumi Cilangasan, 2017 (12 FEB 18:00 – FREE!).
- See also TAIWAN’S LOST COMMERCIAL CINEMA at King’s College London & SOAS (07 to 11 FEB – FREE!).
ELIA KAZAN: THE ACTORS’ DIRECTOR at BFI Southbank (FEB to MAR):
“Be awed by the brilliant performances that Kazan elicited throughout his directing career, in our two-month season featuring Brando, Dean, Hepburn, Kerr and many more.” Includes:
- PINKY d. Elia Kazan, 1949 (07 FEB 20:45); THE SEA OF GRASS 35mm d. Elia Kazan, 1947 (08 FEB 15:45 / 10 FEB 20:30); GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT d. Elia Kazan, 1947 (08 FEB 18:20); EAST OF EDEN 4K d. Elia Kazan, 1955 (09 FEB 17:55); MAN ON A TIGHTROPE 4K d. Elia Kazan, 1953 (09 FEB 20:00); ON THE WATERFRONT 4K d. Elia Kazan, 1954 (12 FEB 20:40); and, BOOMERANG! d. Elia Kazan, 1947 (13 FEB 18:20).
- Re-release: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE d. Elia Kazan, 1951 (07 to 20 FEB).
ESSENTIAL CINEMA at Close-Up (DEC to FEB):
“Our ongoing repertory series presenting masterpieces from throughout the history of cinema. The current programme focusses on Federico Fellini, in celebration of his centenary.” Includes:
- NIGHTS OF CABIRIA d. Federico Fellini, 1956 (07 FEB 20:15); LA DOLCE VITA d. Federico Fellini, 1960 (09 FEB 19:00); JULIET OF THE SPIRITS d. Federico Fellini, 1965 (10 FEB 20:15); SATYRICON d. Federico Fellini, 1969 (11 FEB 20:15); and, VIRIDIANA d. Luis Buñuel, 1961 (12 FEB 20:15).
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:
- 8½ 4K aka Otto e mezzo d. Federico Fellini, 1963 (07 FEB 17:45 / 09 FEB 15:10 / 11 FEB 20:10); JULIET OF THE SPIRITS 4K aka Giulietta degli spiriti d. Federico Fellini, 1965 (08 FEB 17:40); FELLINI’S ROMA 4K aka Roma d. Federico Fellini, 1972 (08 FEB 20:30 / 10 FEB 20:30); and, AMACORD 35mm d. Federico Fellini, 1973 (09 FEB 17:20).
- Talks: Roundtable: Gender & Sexuality in Federico Fellini’s Cinema (10 FEB 18:10).
THE FILMS OF CÉLINE SCIAMMA at The Prince Charles (JAN to FEB):
- GIRLHOOD aka Bande de filles d. Céline Sciamma, 2014 (08 FEB 13:00).
FIND YOUR MUSE at Catford Mews (FEB):
“This February we’ll be offering something for everyone with a series of Valentines-adjacent screenings and events.” Includes:
- MOONLIGHT d. Barry Jenkins, 2016 (09 FEB 17:00); CAROL d. Todd Haynes, 2015 (11 FEB 20:30); and, WAITING TO EXHALE d. Forest Whitaker, 1995 (13 FEB 20:45).
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.” Includes:
- THE 400 BLOWS d. Francois Truffaut, 1959 (07 FEB 19:30).
GALENTINES & VALENTINES CELEBRATIONS at The Prince Charles (13 to 20 FEB):
“Our tradition of screening a bunch of films of people falling in [and out] of love over Valentines Week continues with a few staple classics, a heartbreaker and a couple films exploring the darker side of romance!” Includes:
- LADY BIRD d. Greta Gerwig, 2018 (13 FEB 18:15); and, BOOKSMART d. Olivia Wilde, 2019 (13 FEB 20:30).
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:
- ANOTHER WORLD aka Han sekai d. Sakamoto Junji, 2018 (07 FEB 20:40); MY DAD IS A HEEL WRESTLER aka Papa wa Warumono Champion d. Fujimura Kyohei, 2018 (08 FEB 15:40); LYING TO MOM aka Suzukike no Uso d. Nojiri Katsumi, 2018 (08 FEB 18:00); HER SKETCHBOOK aka Sekai wa kyo kara kimi no mono d. Ozaki Masaya, 2017 + Q&A with the director (09 FEB 13:30); BENTO HARASSMENT aka Kyo mo iyagarase bento d. Tsukamoto Renpei, 2019 (09 FEB 16:10); and, THE HOUSE WHERE THE MERMAID SLEEPS aka Ningyo no nemuru ie d. Tsutsumi Yukihiko, 2018 (09 FEB 18:20).
IN HARM’S WAY: THE FILMS OF MAJED NEISI at Close-Up (18 JAN & 14 MAR):
“Born in Southwest Iran, Majed Neisi has dedicated himself to examining the pathology of war in a succession of Middle Eastern battlegrounds.” Includes:
- Programme 1 (08 FEB 18:00); and, Programme 2 (08 FEB 20:30).
IS THIS YESTERDAY? at Deptford Cinema (12 FEB to 08 APR):
“A series of Hollywood Science Fiction films from the 1950s, giving a broad reflection of the general psyche in America at this specific time and explore issues of invasion, atomic power, the progressing relationship between science and the military, the red threat and McCarthyism.” Includes:
- IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE d. Jack Arnold, 1953 (12 FEB 19:30).
THE OSCARS – AND THE NOMINEES ARE… at The Prince Charles (FEB to MAR):
“We’ve got the Oscar fever, how ’bout you? Catch some of the top films of 2019 once more on the big screen, ahead of the biggest awards show of the year.. THE OSCARS!” Includes:
- JOJO RABBIT d. Taika Waititi, 2019 at The Prince Charles (07 to 13 FEB/Check venue for details).
OSCAR® WEEK 2020 at Barbican (07 to 13 FEB):
“Catch up with this year’s Best Picture and International Feature Film nominees in one glamorous week.” Includes:
- JOJO RABBIT d. Taika Waititi, 2020 (07 FEB 18:25); JOKER d. Todd Phillips, 2019 (07 FEB 20:45); Animated Shorts (08 FEB 14:00); 1917 d. Sam Mendes, 2020 (08 FEB 17:00); ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarantino, 2019 (08 FEB 19:30); HONEYLAND d. Tamara Kotevska & Ljubo Stefanov, 2019 (09 FEB 14:00); LE MANS ’66 aka Ford v Ferrari d. James Mangold, 2019 (09 FEB 16:00); THE IRISHMAN d. Martin Scorsese, 2019 (09 FEB 19:05); PAIN & GLORY d. Pedro Almodóvar, 2019 (10 FEB 18:05); LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig, 2019 (10 FEB 20:35); PARASITE d. Bong Joon-ho, 2019 (11 FEB 20:35); CORPUS CHRISTI d. Jan Komasa, 2019 (12 FEB 18:10); Live Action Shorts (13 FEB 18:15); MARRIAGE STORY d. Noah Baumbach, 2019 (13 FEB 20:30).
OUT IN MERTON at various venues (24 JAN to 28 FEB – FREE!):
“FilmMerton presents a short season of LGBT+ films.” Includes:
- CALL ME BY YOUR NAME d. Luca Guadagnino, 2017 (08 FEB 19:00 – Wimbledon Arts Space).
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:
- FORBIDDEN d. Frank Capra, 1932 (09 FEB 17:00).
ROMCOMS at House Of Vans (06 FEB to 01 MAR – FREE!/No booking required):
“Who said that Valentine’s has to be restricted to one day? This month, we’re getting cosy in the screening room as we show some of the best blockbuster romcoms for every situation, curated by us. We hope you love them.” Includes:
- LOST IN TRANSLATION d. Sofia Coppola, 2003 (08 FEB 15:00 & 17:30); CRAZY STUPID LOVE d. Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, 2011 (09 FEB 14:00 & 16:00); and, BEFORE SUNRISE d. Richard Linklater, 1995 (13 FEB 17:00 & 19:15).
THE SAFDIE BROTHERS at The Prince Charles (JAN):
- UNCUT GEMS 35mm d. Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie, 2019 (until 13 FEB).
TAIWAN’S LOST COMMERCIAL CINEMA at King’s College London & SOAS (07 to 11 FEB – FREE!):
“Many of the 200-plus surviving Taiwanese-language films are being made available and restored. We have selected 11 English-subtitled films, 7 of which have been restored by the Taiwan Film Institute since our last edition, plus 4 contemporary shots films made to promote awareness of Taiwanese-language cinema.” Includes:
- THE RICE DUMPLING VENDORS d. Xin Qi, 1969 + Short: BINDING d. Chen Ting-Ning, 2019 (07 FEB 19:30 – Kings’s College London/FREE!); TARZAN & THE TREASURE d. Liang Zhe-fu, 1965 at Kings’ College London (08 FEB 19:30 – Kings’s College London/FREE!); ENCOUNTER AT THE STATION d. Xin Qi, 1965 (10 FEB 19:00 – SOAS/FREE!); and, SIX SUSPECTS d. Lin Tuan-qiu, 1965 (11 FEB 18:00 – SOAS/FREE!).
- See also CENTRE OF TAIWAN STUDIES FILM WEEK (10 to 12 FEB).
MUSEUM SHOWS PART 2
FILM FESTIVALS (by date/duration)
Film festivals in London this week include:
- Doker Film Fest (13 to 15 FEB).
- Ealing Music & Film Festival (12 to 16 FEB).
- Tufnell Park Film Club Shorter Film Festival (09 FEB).
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GRIND SHOWS
REGULAR RUNS & MAINSTREAM MARVELS (by title)
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD d. Marielle Heller, 2019 at JW3 (07 to 13 FEB):
- “Tom Hanks portrays beloved American children’s TV icon, Mister Rogers, in A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.”
HUNTING FOR HEDONIA d. Pernille Rose Grønkjær, 2019 at DocHouse (07 to 13 FEB):
- “This fascinating festival favourite explores how the medical community is transforming lives through Deep Brain Stimulation. By manipulating specific neural pathways, DBS promises to transform the way we treat mental health disorders, addiction, and even obesity. As we probe the mysteries of the human brain, what kind of future lies ahead?”
MR. JONES d. Agnieszka Holland, 2019 at Ciné Lumière (07 to 13 FEB):
- “1933. Gareth Jones (James Norton) is an ambitious young Welsh journalist who gained fame after his report on being the first foreign journalist to fly with Hitler. Whilst working as an advisor to Lloyd George, he is now looking for his next big story. The Soviet “utopia” is all over the news, and Jones is intrigued as to how Stalin is financing the rapid modernisation of the Soviet Union.”
More films in London this week (A – Z):
- BAIT 35mm d. Mark Jenkin, 2019 at The Prince Charles (07 to 13 FEB). FANDO Y LIS d. Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1968 at Rio Cinema (07 to 13 FEB). THE LIGHTHOUSE d. Robert Eggers, 2019 at ArtHouse Crouch End (until 13 FEB). LITTLE WOMEN d. Greta Gerwig, 2019 at The Castle Cinema (until 20 FEB). MARRIAGE STORY d. Noah Baumbach, 2019 at The Lexi (09 to 12 FEB). MISS AMERICANA: TAYLOR SWIFT d. Lana Wilson, 2020 at The Prince Charles (until 12 FEB). PARASITE d. Bong Joon-ho, 2019 at Rich Mix (07 to 13 FEB). THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD d. Armando Iannucci, 2020 at The Castle Cinema (until 20 FEB). QUEEN & SLIM d. Melina Matsoukas, 2019 at Genesis Cinema (until 13 FEB). SAUVAGE d. Camille Vidal-Naquet, 2018 at Whirled Cinema (10 to 16 FEB). TALKING ABOUT TREES d. Suhaib Gasmelbari, 2019 at DocHouse (until 13 FEB). THE UNORTHODOX d. Eliran Malka, 2018 presented by UK Jewish Film (09 to 13 FEB). UNCUT GEMS 35mm d. Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie, 2019 at The Prince Charles (until 13 FEB). WAVES d. Trey Edward Shults, 2019 at Watermans (07 to 12 FEB).
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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 still be sold out. Please click quickly! We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+.