Halloween film events in London: CHRISTINE, part of Possessed at Catford Mews (26 OCT).
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SCREEN GUIDE: Films in London this week [25 to 31 OCT 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 great films in London this week*.

FRI 25 // SAT 26 // SUN 27 // MON 28 // TUE 29 // WED 30 // THU 31

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

Possessed at Catford Mews (26 OCT 19:00):

  • We Do Good Disco presents: “This Halloween will be your chance to watch a spooky double bill of horror films and afterwards (if you are brave enough) to dance up to the witching hour! You can choose if you want to watch one film, two films, just come for the party or do the all-inclusive and do everything! Your devilish hosts for the evening are the wickedly wonderful We Do Good Scary Disco.” Inc: IN FABRIC d. Peter Strickland, 2018 (26 OCT 19:30) + CHRISTINE d. John Carpenter, 1983 (26 OCT 10:15).”

NEW AT RADIANT CIRCUS

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY - Radiant Circus at The Bridewell Theatre - HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 31 Oct 2019

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY continues this week screening daily programmes of bitesize films for busy City workers at the Bridewell Theatre in the City Of London (22 OCT to 01 NOV 2019). Bring your own lunch, relax & refocus as you feast on a world of inspiring short film drama, documentary & animation.

> Now booking: sbf.org.uk/whats-on

FILMS IN LONDON THIS WEEK

SINGLE-O EXHIBITS

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

FRI 25

Films in London this week: THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED at The Cinema Museum (25 OCT).
Films in London this week: THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED at The Cinema Museum (25 OCT).

THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED d. Lotte Reiniger, 1926 + Live Podcast Recording with Christopher Holliday, Alexander Sergeant & Dr. Caroline Ruddell at The Cinema Museum (25 OCT 19:30):

  • “Contrary to popular belief, the first animated feature film was not made by Walt Disney but by Lotte Reiniger, a pioneer of silhouette animation who escaped Nazi persecution to eventually produce fairy tale adaptations for the BBC. This is the second film in the monthly screening series curated and hosted by Fantasy-Animation.org, a blog and podcast dedicated to the relationship between fantasy cinema and the medium of animation.”

A Very Black Screening at The Curtain (25 OCT 18:30 – FREE!):

  • Minute Shorts & Love At First Vibe (LAFV) present: “A celebration of Black History Month, bringing together creatives, music and film aficionados and everyone interested in finding out more about the importance of this month. This free event will feature a screening of six short films by independent filmmakers, followed by a Q&A and discussion with the creative talent, alongside networking opportunities with the industry guests.”

HOOP DREAMS d. Steve James, 1994 25th Anniversary Screening + Skype Q&A with producer Peter Gilbert/Panel Discussion at DocHouse (25 OCT 18:30):

  • “First exhibited at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the audience award for best documentary, HOOP DREAMS is the remarkable true story of two Black American dreamers; an intimate reflection of contemporary American inner-city culture, following two ordinary young men on the courts of the game they love. This film is constantly voted as one of the best documentaries of all time.”
  • Enjoys a grind show run at the same venue.
  • HOOP DREAMS also screens at Picturehouse Hackney with an Extended Intro by Karen Alexander (25 OCT 19:00).

More films in London today (A – Z):

SAT 26

Films in London this week: HOOP DREAMS at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (26 OCT).
Films in London this week: HOOP DREAMS at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (26 OCT).

A FAITHFUL MAN d. Louis Garrel, 2019 + Intro by John Davies at Watermans (26 OCT 13:00):

  • French Impressions presents: “Nine years after she left him for his best friend, journalist Abel (Louis Garrel) gets back together with his recently widowed old flame Marianne (Laetitia Casta). It seems to be a beautiful new beginning, but soon the hapless Abel finds himself embroiled in all sorts of drama.”

HOOP DREAMS d. Steve James, 1994 25th Anniversary Screening + Q&A with producer Peter Gilbert at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (26 OCT 19:00):

  • “First exhibited at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the audience award for best documentary, HOOP DREAMS is the remarkable true story of two Black American dreamers; an intimate reflection of contemporary American inner-city culture, following two ordinary young men on the courts of the game they love. This film is constantly voted as one of the best documentaries of all time.”
  • HOOP DREAMS also screens at Picturehouse Ritxy with Karen Alexander in conversation with Anthony Andrews, We Are Parable (26 OCT 17:00).

Possessed at Catford Mews (26 OCT 19:00):

  • We Do Good Disco presents: “This Halloween will be your chance to watch a spooky double bill of horror films and afterwards (if you are brave enough) to dance up to the witching hour! You can choose if you want to watch one film, two films, just come for the party or do the all-inclusive and do everything! Your devilish hosts for the evening are the wickedly wonderful We Do Good Scary Disco.” Inc: IN FABRIC d. Peter Strickland, 2018 (26 OCT 19:30) + CHRISTINE d. John Carpenter, 1983 (26 OCT 10:15).”

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER d. Pedro Almodóvar, 1999 + Live Music/Wine Tasting presented by Collective Cinema at St Margaret’s Church SE13 (26 OCT 19:30). BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER bar Booze TV screening at Genesis Cinema (26 OCT 19:00 – FREE!). EVERYTHING I LOVE, DISAPPEARS Video Installation by Maj Rafferty, 2019 at Deptford Cinema (26 OCT 14:00 – 20:00). MIDSOMMAR d. Ari Aster, 2019 presented by Deeper Into Movies at Miranda at Ace Hotel Shoreditch (26 OCT 18:30). PERMISSION d. Soheil Beiraghi, 2018 Preview at Regent Street Cinema (26 OCT 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 & 20:00). MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL d. Stanley Nelson, 2019 at ICA (26 OCT 20:20). TEHRAN: CITY OF LOVE d. Ali Jaberansari, 2018 at ICA (26 OCT 12:30).

SUN 27

Films in London this week: CHAINED FOR LIFE at ICA (27 OCT).
Films in London this week: CHAINED FOR LIFE at ICA (27 OCT).

All Day Truffaut at The Cinema Museum (27 OCT 10:00):

  • “Only done once before! A chance to see all five of Truffaut’s remarkable film comedies charting the childhood and growing up of his screen alter-ego Antoine Doinel, played by Jean-Pierre Léaud.” Includes: LES QUATRE CENTS COUPS (1959); ANTOINE ET COLETTE (1962); BAISERS VOLÉS (1968); DOMICILE CONJUGALE (1970); & L’AMOUR EN FUITE (1979).

CHAINED FOR LIFE d. Aaron Schimberg, 2018 + Q&A with lead actor Adam Pearson at ICA (27 OCT 16:40):

  • “Schimberg’s second feature (following GO DOWN DEATH) is his response, as a filmmaker with facial deformity, to cinematic portrayals of disfigured people, from Tod Browning’s FREAKS (1932) to David Lynch’s THE ELEPHANT MAN (1980). Simultaneously empathetic and sardonic, CHAINED FOR LIFE challenges the viewer to think about representation and exploitation, while paying homage to earlier film-within-a-film-practitioners.”
  • Enjoys a grind show run at the same venue.

Happy Birthday, Mr Paul! Presentation by Ian Christie + Live Piano Accompaniment by John Sweeney at BFI Southbank (27 OCT 15:20):

  • “British film pioneer Robert Paul was born in London 150 years ago this month. After an accidental start in ‘animated photography’, he established the first real film studio in North London in 1898, and with his wife Ellen made over 700 films, creating the foundations for what we take for granted as cinema today. In this unique anniversary celebration, Ian Christie will reveal the hidden history behind this genius pioneer.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

MON 28

Films in London this week: A WAY OF LIFE at Phoenix Cinema (28 OCT).
Films in London this week: A WAY OF LIFE at Phoenix Cinema (28 OCT).

A WAY OF LIFE 35mm d. Amma Asante, 2005 + Short: COLOUR BLIND d. Tracy Kiryango, 2017 + Q&A with the directors at Phoenix Cinema (28 OCT 18:45):

  • The First Film Club presents: WAY OF LIFE: “In Amma Asante’s BAFTA award-winning 2005 debut, set in Wales, single teen mum Leigh-Anne (Stephanie James) becomes increasingly paranoid under the constant pressure of both social services and her daughter’s paternal grandmother (Brenda Blethyn) threatening to assume guardianship of her child.” COLOUR BLIND: “Emerging writer/director Tracy Kiryango’s passion for deciphering people’s motives and encouraging vulnerability and openness is clear in this evocative short film.”

HOW I GOT SOBER d. Maddie Kitchen, 2019 + Panel at The Horse Hospital (28 OCT 18:00):

  • Sobriety Films UK presents: “A revealing and compelling short film about hope and despair which ultimately throws light on the growing problem of alcoholism in our country. featuring alcoholics Kate and Warren and how they achieved recovery. Followed by a Q&A with the Director and other contributors.”

WESTERN STARS d. Bruce Springsteen & Thom Zimny, 2019 + Pre-recorded Q&A at Curzon Victoria (28 OCT 21:00 – Other Curzons available!):

  • “Springsteen’s first studio album in five years, Western Stars marks a departure for the legendary singer/songwriter while still drawing on his roots. Touching on themes of love and loss, loneliness and family and the inexorable passage of time, the documentary film evokes the American West – both the mythic and the hardscrabble – weaving archival footage and Springsteen’s personal narration with song to tell the story of Western Stars.”
  • Also at: ArtHouse Crouch End (28 OCT 20:45); Genesis Cinema (28 OCT 18:35); The Prince Charles (28 OCT 15:45 & 18:15).

More films in London today (A – Z):

TUE 29

Films in London this week: THE WITCH at The Horse Hospital (29 OCT).
Films in London this week: THE WITCH at The Horse Hospital (29 OCT).

DEAD OF NIGHT d. Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden & Robert Hamer, 1945 + Intro/Discussion with Gareth Jones at The Cinema Museum (29 OCT 19:00):

  • Film School presents: “After an extended hiatus, we’re delighted to announce the return of Film School to Time Out’s Most Loved Local Culture Spot 2018, The Cinema Museum! To do this atmospheric space justice, we’re screening the great Ealing horror – DEAD OF NIGHT (1945) –  and discussing it in relation to genre theory. This film changed horror forever by introducing a new kind of monster – psychological trauma – and portraying it with real narrative sophistication.”

MAKING WAVES: THE ART OF CINEMATIC SOUND d. Midge Costin, 2019 Preview + Skype Q&A with the director at BFI Southbank (29 OCT 18:15):

  • “Listen up! Midge Costin’s many-layered chronicle of the development of sound in the movies, co-produced by Bobette Buster and Karen Johnson, is compelling and authoritative. ‘Our ears lead our eyes to where the story lives’, says Spielberg – one of many visionary directors and sound designers revealing the inspiration and science behind the development of their craft.”

Witches’ Sabbath – Part 1 at The Horse Hospital (29 OCT 19:00):

  • Nigredo Nights presents: “A selection of films and discussions that will explore witchcraft, magical traditions and folklore on screen. Part 1 includes: THE WITCH d. Robert Eggers, 2015 + Conversation with Christina Oakley Harrington, Wiccan priestess, founder and owner of Treadwell’s esoteric bookshop.”
  • Witches’ Sabbath – Part 2 (31 OCT 19:00).

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • A SECOND CHANCE + Q&A at Picturehouse Greenwich (29 OCT 18:30). BAIT d. Mark Jenkin at ICA (29 OCT 16:40). BEANPOLE d. Kantemir Balagov, 2019 at ICA (29 OCT 20:45). BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD d. Benh Zeitlin, 2012 + Supper presented by Welcome Presents at Amnesty International UK (29 OCT 18:00). BLACK WIDOW d. Rhondda Rhiannon, 2019 Short at Deptford Cinema (29 OCT 19:30). THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT d. Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sánchez, 1999 20th Anniversary Screening at TT Liquor (29 OCT 18:30). THE EXORCIST (Director’s Cut) d. William Friedkin, 1973 presented by Deeper Into Movies at Peckham Levels (29 OCT 19:30 – FREE!). FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, 2019 at DocHouse (29 OCT 20:45). HALLOWEEN d. John Carpenter, 1978 presented by Crofton Park Pictures at Rivoli Ballroom (29 OCT 20:00). HOOP DREAMS d. Steve James, 1994 25th Anniversary Screening at Catford Mews (29 OCT 20:15). THE LAST TREE d. Shola Amoo, 2019 + Short: RITUALS d. Simisolaoluwa Akande for Black History Month at The David Lean (29 OCT 19:30). New Moving Image 1 DAM PROJECTS presents new work by emerging artists at Close-Up (29 OCT 19:00). NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD d. George A. Romero, 1968 presented by Tufnell Park Film Club at The Lord Palmerston (29 OCT 20:00). PAIN & GLORY d. Pedro Almodóvar, 2019 at ICA (29 OCT 16:20). THE SOUVENIR d. Joanna Hogg, 2019 + Q&A with the director at Curzon Bloomsbury (29 OCT 18:15). ZOMBI CHILD d. Bertrand Bonello, 2019 at ICA (29 OCT 14:40).

WED 30

Films in London this week: THE THING at Harris Academy South Norwood (30 OCT).
Films in London this week: THE THING at Harris Academy South Norwood (30 OCT).

ACID d. Alexander Gorchilin, 2018 + Q&A with the director at Barbican (30 OCT 18:10):

  • New East Cinema presents: “When Vanya, naked and high on acid, plunges to his death from a balcony, complex feelings of anger, guilt and rebellion surface in two of his friends, Sasha (Filipp Avdeev) and Pete (Alexander Kuznetsov), one of them blaming himself for Vanya’s demise.”

CHRISTOPHER STRONG d. Dorothy Arzner, 1933 + Discussion/Raffle at The Cinema Museum (30 OCT 19:30):

  • Women & Cocaine presents: “Hepburn’s classic CHRISTOPHER STRONG (1933) from the pioneering lesbian director Dorothy Arzner (inventor of the boom microphone!). In her only role as ‘the other woman’ Hepburn plays Lady Cynthia Darrington in this illicit tale of love among the English aristocracy.”

MAMA AFRICA d. Mika Kaurismäki, 2011 + Intro by Charmaine Simpson at The Lexi (30 OCT 18:30):

  • Black History Studies presents: “The biopic of South African singer Miriam Makeba, the first black African musician to win international stardom. Her music influenced artists across the globe, although her style stayed anchored in her South African roots. She sang for John F. Kennedy and Marlon Brando, performed with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, Dizzie Gillespie and Paul Simon. She was also a vocal campaigner against apartheid, and always stood for truth and justice.”

Scream25: THE THING d. John Carpenter, 1982 + 80s Themed Party at Harris Academy South Norwood (30 OCT 19:45):

  • Screen25 presents: “There’ll be teeth and tentacles aplenty at our Scream25 Halloween Special showing of the John Carpenter cult classic. A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims. Channel your inner Kurt Russell and join us for our 80s themed horror party with music, cocktails and plenty of surprises in store!”

More films in London today (A – Z):

SCREEN25

THU 31

Films in London this week: FRIDAY THE 13TH at The Castle Cinema (31 OCT).
Films in London this week: FRIDAY THE 13TH at The Castle Cinema (31 OCT).

DARKNESS VISIBLE d. Neil Biswas, 2019 + Q&A with the director at Peckhamplex (31 OCT 20:30):

  • “Supernatural thriller set in Kolkata, India. Ronnie goes back to his mother’s homeland for the first time, when she suddenly goes missing from London and turns up in hospital in India. Things soon start to unravel, as Ronnie slowly realises that everything his mother told him about their past, is untrue.”

FRIDAY THE 13TH 16mm d. Sean S. Cunningham, 1980 + THE EXORCIST 16mm d. William Friedkin, 1973 at The Castle Cinema (31 OCT 18:45 & 21:00):

  • Ciné-Real16mm presents: FRIDAY THE 13TH: “Camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp that was the site of a child’s drowning.” THE EXORCIST: “When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.”

TALES FROM THE LODGE d. Abigail Blackmore, 2019 + Q&A with the director & cast members Mackenzie Crook & Sophie Thompson at Phoenix Cinema (31 OCT 20:30):

  • “A group of old university friends travel to an isolated lodge to scatter a friend’s ashes. They decide to entertain each other with spooky tales of the supernatural, but soon they find themselves in the middle of their own horror story.”

Witches’ Sabbath – Part 2 at The Horse Hospital (31 OCT 19:00):

  • Nigredo Nights presents: “A selection of films and discussions that will explore witchcraft, magical traditions and folklore on screen. Part 2 includes: NOVEMBER d. Rainer Sarnet, 2017 + Intro by Patricia MacCormack, Professor of Continental Philosophy in English and Media at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • ADRIFT IN SOHO d. Pablo Behrens, 2018 at The Prince Charles (31 OCT 13:00). A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SURF d. Michael Blakemore, 1981 + Q&A with the director & Maureen Lipman C.B.E. at Regent Street Cinema (31 OCT 19:30). BEWARE OF MR. BAKER d. Jay Bulger, 2012 + Intro by Aruba Red + Pre-recorded Q&A at Curzon Soho (31 OCT 21:00). BLADE d. Stephen Norrington, 1998 for Halloween at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (31 OCT 19:00). BREXIT – BEHIND CLOSED DOORS d. Lode Desmet, 2019 at Frontline Club (31 OCT 19:00). CANTAR LA MISA CON CHABUCA d. Luis Enrique Cam, 2018 at The Cinema Museum (31 OCT 19:30 – FREE!). CRAWL d. Alexandre Aja, 2019 at The David Lean (31 OCT 19:30). DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE d. John S. Robertson, 1920 presented by Pitshanger Pictures at St Barnabas Church (31 OCT 18:00). THE EXORCIST d. William Friedkin, 1973 at Everyman Barnet (31 OCT 21:15). Final Girls Berlin Film Festival – Halloween Special Short Film Programme at Deptford Cinema (31 OCT 19:30). HALLOWEEN d. John Carpenter, 1978 at TT Liquor (31 OCT 18:30). HOOP DREAMS d. Steve James, 1994 25th Anniversary Screening at Catford Mews (31 OCT 14:00). THE LAST TREE d. Shola Amoo, 2019 for Black History Month at The David Lean (31 OCT 14:30). MANCHESTER KEEPS ON DANCING d. Javi Senz, 2017 + Q&A with the director presented by Doc’n Roll Film Festival at House of Vans (31 OCT 19:00 – FREE!/Booking required). MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL d. Stanley Nelson, 2019 at The Lexi (31 OCT 20:40). Folk Horror Halloween x2: NIGHT OF THE DEMON d. Jacques Tourneur, 1957 + THE WICKER MAN d. Robin Hardy, 1973 presented by Redmond Pictures at Redmond Community Centre (31 OCT 19:30 – FREE!/Booking Essential). THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW d. Jim Sharman, 1975 at Picturehouse Bromley (31 OCT 20:30 – Other Picturehouses available!). SCREAM d. Wes Craven, 1996 at Everyman Crystal Palace (31 OCT 20:30). THE SIXTH SENSE d. M. Night Shyamalan, 1999 at Everyman Muswell Hill (31 OCT 20:00). THE THING d. John Carpenter, 1982 presented by Stow Film Lounge at Wild Card Brewery (31 OCT 19:15). TOO LATE TO DIE YOUNG d. Dominga Sotomayor Castillo, 2018 presented by Das Kino at The Old Baths (31 OCT 21:00). ZOMBIELAND d. Ruben Fleischer, 2009 presented by Sydenham Film Club at The Sydenham Centre (31 OCT 19:30).

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MUSEUM SHOWS PART 1

SEASONS (by event/venue)

Films in London this week: FREDDY'S DEAD - THE FINAL NIGHTMARE, part of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET MARATHON at The Prince Charles (25 OCT).
Films in London this week: FREDDY’S DEAD – THE FINAL NIGHTMARE, part of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET MARATHON at The Prince Charles (25 OCT).

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

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

AMERICAN INDEPENDENT: A FOCUS ON SHIRLEY CLARKE at BFI Southbank (OCT to NOV):

“Our monthly Experimenta programme gives you a chance to explore this boundary-pushing, influential filmmaker.” Includes:

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

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

BLACK HISTORY MONTH at Everyman Cinemas (OCT):

“Everyman brings you a selection of films to celebrate Black History Month.” Includes:

BLACK HISTORY (EVERY) MONTH at Genesis Cinema (OCT):

CLOSE-UP ON KIRA MURATOVA at Close-Up (16 to 26 OCT):

“A year after her passing we remember the neglected – Romania born – Ukrainian auteur Kira Muratova with a rare programme of films selected from across her expansive career, presented in collaboration with the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Centre.” Includes:

CLOSE-UP ON RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER at Close-Up (01 OCT to 01 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:

  • FOX AND HIS FRIENDS d. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1975 (26 OCT 17:30); MARTHA d. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1974 (28 OCT 20:15); and, KATZELMACHER d. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1969 (30 OCT 20:30).

CONJURING UP THE REAL: THE FILMS OF JÜRGEN BÖTTCHER various venues (23 OCT to 21 NOV):

“Celebrating Jürgen Böttcher’s diverse body of work as a filmmaker, this season includes seven programmes of short and feature length films.” Includes:

DANCE UMBRELLA: SUNDAY SHORTS at Barbican (13 to 27 OCT):

“Dance Umbrella’s SUNDAY SHORTS serve up three mixed bills of choreographically inspired short film.” Includes:

DRESSED TO IMPRESS at Classic Cinema Club – Ealing (SEP to OCT):

“We look to cinema as a purveyor of escapist entertainment, glamour and luxury on screen. From historical period pieces and costume dramas, to films that set future fashion trends, the outfits veer from chic to ridiculous.” Includes:

  • TOP HAT d. Mark Sandrich, 1935 (25 OCT 19:30).

THE FILMS OF CARLOS REYGADAS at Deptford Cinema (20 OCT to 03 NOV):

“A season of films by the Mexican filmmaker. His output explores themes of love, suffering, death, and meaning in life.” Includes:

HALLOWEEN AT GENESIS at Genesis Cinema (27 OCT to 31 OCT):

HERE BE WITCHES at The Prince Charles (31 OCT to 21 NOV):

“Kicking off on Halloween and all throughout November, The Final Girls will dive deep into exploring the figure of the witch in film and TV through a season of films, discussions and a brand-new podcast.” Includes:

  • THE CRAFT d. Andrew Fleming, 1996 (31 OCT 20:45).

HIDDEN FIGURES: EUZHAN PALCY at Barbican (06 to 26 OCT):

“Showcasing the work of accomplished Martinique director, Euzhan Palcy as part of Hidden Figures; a programme showcasing great directors who deserve greater recognition in the UK.” Includes:

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:

HITCHCOCKTOBER at The Birds E11 (03 OCT to 01 NOV – FREE!/Paid reservations & packages available!):

“Hitch’s best, for free.” Includes:

  • DIAL M FOR MURDER d. Alfred Hitchcock, 1954 (25 OCT 20:00); REBECCA d. Alfred Hitchcock, 1940 (27 OCT 14:00); and, PSYCHO d. Alfred Hitchcock, 1960 (31 OCT 20:00).

INK ON SCREEN at Regent Street Cinema (28 to 30 OCT):

“Launching the Mayfair & St James Literary Festival, a screening of films exploring the power of words on screen curated by Tobias Menzies.” Includes:

  • DON’T LOOK NOW d. Nicolas Roeg, 1973 + Intro by Peter Bradshaw (28 OCT 18:15); and, UNDER THE SKIN d. Jonathan Glazer, 2013 + Q&A with author Michael Faber (30 OCT 18:15).

JAMES BOND SUNDAYS at Regent Street Cinema (until 27 OCT):

“James Bond’s greatest outings, back on the big screen and followed by Q&As and autograph signings with some of the films’ female stars.” Includes:

  • GOLDFINGER d. Guy Hamilton + Q&A with Dr. Monica Germanà, author of Bond Girls (27 OCT 15:00).

LIVE CULTURES at Close-Up (15 to 25 OCT):

“Making a case against human superiority in the natural world, this programme of experimental film and documentaries turns a nonhuman eye to the things which ooze, sprout, and crawl. Curated by NFTS student Ben Driscoll.” Includes:

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY at The Bridewell Theatre (22 OCT to 01 NOV):

“RADIANT CIRCUS & Partners present a brand new popup cinema screening daily programmes of bitesize films for busy workers, visitors & residents in the City Of London. Bring your own lunch, relax & refocus as you feast on a world of inspiring short film drama, documentary & animation.” Includes:

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

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

NEWMAN’S OWN: THE EARLY FILMS OF PAUL NEWMAN at Regent Street Cinema (01 SEP to 27 OCT):

“Paul Newman – the man with the most famous blue eyes in history – rose to fame when he starred in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, then cemented his status in Hollywood with a string of hits.” Includes:

NIGHTCLEANERS & ’36 TO ’77 at DocHouse (31 OCT to 06 NOV):

“Two classics of ’70s British political protest cinema made by the Berwick Film Collective.” Includes:

  • NIGHTCLEANERS d. Berwick Street Film Collective & Marc Karlin & Mary Kelly & James Scott & Humphry Trevelyan, 1975 + Intro by Professor Sally Alexander (31 OCT 18:30).

NIGHTLIFE: OURSELVES, OUR SPACES ON FILM at Barbican (15 to 29 OCT):

“What happens in bars and clubs across the world after dark? This season takes you on a nocturnal journey full of passion, transgression and joy, through New York’s Studio 54, unified Berlin, neon-lit Taipei, and rough and ready Mexico City, as well as exploring the vanishing queer spaces of London.” Includes:

ONCE UPON A TIME WITH TARANTINO at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

ROM COMS at Everyman Maida Vale (20 OCT to 10 NOV).

“Warm up with some of our favourite rom coms this Autumn at Everyman Maida Vale.” Includes:

SAMURAI SUNDAYS at Deptford Cinema (27 OCT to 24 NOV):

“The SAMURAI SUNDAYS season has been programmed by Peter Blunden, and is kindly supported by the London East Asia Film Festival.” Includes:

  • HARAKIRI d. Masaki Kobayashi, 1962 (27 OCT 19:30).

SCI-FI SUNDAYS at Deptford Cinema (ongoing):

“An afternoon movie and a little something extra on the last Sunday of the month.” Includes:

  • VIDEODROME d. David Cronenberg, 1983 + Shorts: THE NEST, 2013 + CAMERA, 2000 (27 OCT 15:30).

THE TALENTED MR DELON at Ciné Lumière (20 OCT to 26 NOV):

“Les Classiques will be dedicated to legendary French actor Alain Delon, showcasing a selection of films by the greatest directors from René Clément to Michelangelo Antonioni.” Includes:

  • LE CERCLE ROUGE d. Jean-Pierre Melville, 1970 (27 OCT 14:00 / 30 OCT 18:30).

THRILLERS & KILLERS & MONSTERS, OH MY! at The Prince Charles (27 SEP to 01 NOV):

“We bring you a strand of dark, twisted, scary, fun and bloody cinema!” Includes:

TNB BHM2019 various venues (07 to 31 OCT):

The New Black Film Collective celebrates Black History Month. Includes:

  • MA d. Tate Taylor, 2019 + Q&A (25 OCT 18:00 – St Paul’s Way Community Centre); and, INNA DE YARD d. Peter Webber, 2019 + Panel + Performance (31 OCT 20:30 – Stratford East Picturehouse).

TOGETHER ALONE at Rio Cinema (26 to 27 OCT):

“A season of four absorbing, thought-provoking independent films exploring solitude from different and often surprising perspectives. Curated by NFTS student Octavian Dancila.” Includes:

  • BULANTI aka Nausea d. Zeki Demirkubuz, 2015 + NOTHING PERSONAL d. Urszula Antoniak, 2009 + Spoken Word Performance by Miss Yankey (26 OCT 13:00); and, DISTANT aka Uzak d. Nuri Bilge Ceylan, 2002 + A COFFEE IN BERLIN aka OH, BOY! d. Jan Ole Gerster, 2013 (27 OCT 13:00).

TRIUMPH THROUGH ADVERSITY – ENFIELD BLACK HISTORY MONTH SCREENINGS at Odeon Luxe Lee Valley (28 to 30 OCT):

“Make It Happen Organisation (MIHO) presents a Black History Month mini-season of inspirational features.” Includes:

WITCHES & VAMPIRES at House Of Vans (03 to 27 OCT – FREE!/No booking required):

“For the month of magic and darkness, House of Vans brings you some of our favourite films featuring some of our favourite dark magical creatures.” Includes:

> Plan ahead with our monthly roundup of London’s rep seasons & film festivals.

MUSEUM SHOWS PART 2

FILM FESTIVALS (by date/duration)

Films in London this week: THE BARGE PEOPLE, part of Black Sunday Film Festival at Whirled Cinema (25 to 27 OCT).
Films in London this week: THE BARGE PEOPLE, part of Black Sunday Film Festival at Whirled Cinema (25 to 27 OCT).

Film festivals in London this week include:

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GRIND SHOWS

REGULAR RUNS & MAINSTREAM MARVELS (by title)

Films in London this week: MONOS at Rio Cinema (25 to 31 OCT).
Films in London this week: MONOS at Rio Cinema (25 to 31 OCT).

BY THE GRACE OF GOD d. Francois Ozon, 2018 at Ciné Lumière (25 OCT to 10 NOV):

  • “Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival, François Ozon’s (POTICHE, JEUNE ET JOLIE) latest opus, is an engrossing and topical examination of a sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.”

CHAINED FOR LIFE d. Aaron Schimberg, 2018 at ArtHouse Crouch End (25 to 31 OCT):

  • “Schimberg’s second feature is his response, as a filmmaker with facial deformity, to cinematic portrayals of disfigured people. Simultaneously empathetic and sardonic, CHAINED FOR LIFE challenges the viewer to think about representation and exploitation, while paying homage to earlier film-within-a-film-practitioners.”

MONOS d. Alejandro Landes, 2019 at Rio Cinema (25 to 31 OCT):

  • “On a remote mountaintop in an unidentified location, a rebel group of teenage guerrilla soldiers watch over a hostage on behalf of a shadowy force known only as ‘The Organisation’. After a series of unexpected events drives them deep into the jungle, fracturing their intricate bond, their mission slowly begins to collapse.”

More films in London this week (A – Z):

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY - Radiant Circus at the Bridewell Theatre - 22 Oct to 01 Nov 2019.

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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+.