What to see in London this week: THE DARK CRYSTAL at The Cinema Museum (28 FEB).
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SCREEN GUIDE: Films in London this week [28 FEB to 05 MAR 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 28 // SAT 29 // SUN 01 // MON 02 // TUE 03 // WED 04 // THU 05

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

Our pick of this week’s screen highlights begins with a film that has a painfully immediate relevance for these media-saturated times. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER is about iconic fashion model Benedetta Barzini who “has become exhausted with the various roles that life has imposed upon her and decides to escape the world of images and disappear for good” (28 FEB). Filmed by her son, Beniamino Barrese, the film also enjoys a regular run at ICA (29 FEB to 05 MAR).

We’d then suggest diving into something rich, strange and seductive with a special screening with cast and crew of PENDA’S FEN as part of Of Mud & Flame at The Whitechapel Gallery (29 FEB). Sunday brings more excellent silent cinema at BFI, WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES?, with live piano accompaniment by the talented Cyrus Gabrysch (01 MAR). Genesis Cinema’s Revelations – a strand dedicated to showcasing “the best of non-mainstream cinema” – fills your Monday evening with SULPHUR & WHITE (02 MAR), and you might as well stay on the Mile End Rd for their next Fringe! Fling – “an ongoing affair with queer cinema” – AND THEN WE DANCED + Panel Discussion (03 MAR).

We are going to (temporarily…) brand Wednesday as ‘Genre Day’ given this week’s outbreak of tainted delights. We’ve picked World Wide Weird!’s talk and screening The Veiled Fang: Lesbian Vampire Erotics Of 70’s Eurohorror but we also love the look of A SERIAL KILLER’S GUIDE TO LIFE + Q&A with what seems like almost the entire crew at Screen25 Cinema, and Cao Fei’s ‘retro sci-fi’ feature NOVA from Serpentine Cinema at Everyman Screen On The Green (all 04 MAR). After these heady delights, you might need to bring your week back down to earth with a preview of Jess Kelly’s new film for BBC News Arabic, SILICON VALLEY’S ONLINE SLAVE MARKET at The Frontline Club (05 MAR).

In this week’s repertory film seasons, Barbican’s HER LENS, HIS STORY continues to illuminate a brilliant lineup of films with 35mm screenings and expert talks and introductions. If you’re a fan of TILDA SWINTON, you should probably try and grab yourself a ticket for one of the events in the new season about her work at BFI Southbank as everything is selling out FAST!

Festivals continue to be relatively slim on the ground, but the leader of this week’s pack looks to be Cinema Made In Italy which screens at London’s French language cinema, Ciné Lumière (04 to 10 MAR). Crystal Palace International Film Festival opens the next day (05 to 28 MAR). Don’t forget you can also now book for BFI Flare (18 to 29 MAR); read our handy screen guide if you’d like some downlist recommendations.

New releases getting vibrant support from preview screenings with added value special features (we always marvel at how profligate the film industry is with the word ‘exclusive’…) include PUSH and TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM (the latter backed by one of Film London’s celebrated ‘Lodestars‘, We Are Parable). Find various event screenings in our daily schedules below.

One of the core drives behind what we do at RADIANT CIRCUS is to promote and preserve alternative screen culture in London. That means doing what we can to back passionate film fans projecting the movies they love. For this reason alone, we have chosen Fantasy / Animation’s special screening and podcast recording of a RADIANT CIRCUS childhood favourite, THE DARK CRYSTAL at The Cinema Museum, as our Featured Attraction of the week (28 FEB).

See you in darkness…

Richard – Barker-In-Chief, RADIANT CIRCUS

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SCREEN DIARY: LITTLE JOE + Jessica Hausner In Conversation at BFI Southbank (21 FEB 2020).
SCREEN DIARY: LITTLE JOE + Jessica Hausner In Conversation at BFI Southbank (21 FEB 2020).

Read our writeup of LITTLE JOE + Jessica Hausner In Conversation (21 FEB) part of THE CINEMA OF JESSICA HAUSNER at BFI (until 05 MAR).

BFI FLARE 2020: ASK ANY BUDDY at BFI Southbank (19 & 22 MAR).
BFI FLARE 2020: ASK ANY BUDDY at BFI Southbank (19 & 22 MAR).

We’ve posted our guide to this year’s BFI Flare LGBTIQ+ Film Festival (18 to 29 MAR) including our ‘top ten best of the fest‘.

FILMS IN LONDON THIS WEEK

SINGLE-O EXHIBITS

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

FRI 28

What to see in London this week: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER at ICA (28 FEB).
What to see in London this week: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER at ICA (28 FEB).

THE DARK CRYSTAL d. Jim Henson & Frank Oz, 1982 + Intro/Podcast Recording at The Cinema Museum (28 FEB 19:30):

  • “The first mass-market live-action feature film to replace all human actors with puppets, THE DARK CRYSTAL acted as an important showcase work for the Henson Company’s array of effects work, and the film pioneered a number of innovative techniques. This special screening will include an introduction and post-screening podcast discussion from Fantasy-Animation.org, a website and podcast dedicated to the study of fantasy cinema and the medium of animation.”

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER d. Beniamino Barrese, 2019 + Q&A with the director at ICA (28 FEB 20:40):

  • “As an iconic fashion model during the 1960s, Benedetta Barzini was a muse to Warhol, Dali, Penn and Avedon. As a radical feminist in the 1970s, she fought for the rights and emancipation of women. But at the age of 75, Benedetta has become exhausted with the various roles that life has imposed upon her and decides escape the world of images and disappear for good.”

VITA & VIRGINIA d. Chanya Button, 2018 + Short: TELL ME I’M FORGIVEN + Intro/Q&A with author Alison Child at Stratford Library (28 FEB 17:00 – FREE!):

  • Newham Community Cinema, Women Over 50 Film Festival & 888 Film Club present: “A daring celebration of an unconventional bond, and a vivid exploration of gender, sexuality, creativity and passion, VITA & VIRGINIA details the love story of two women – two writers – who smashed through social barriers to find solace in their forbidden connection.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • A PARIS EDUCATION d. Jean-Paul Civeyrac, 2018 at ICA (28 FEB 13:20). Bermondsey Welcome Refugees: FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts + Talk by Vanessa Redgrave at Sands Films (28 FEB 19:30 – FREE!). BIXA TRAVESTY d. Kiko Goifman & Claudia Priscilla, 2018 at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (28 FEB 19:00). DOWNTON ABBEY d. Michael Engler, 2019 presented by Screen25 Cinema at Harris Academy South Norwood (28 FEB 19:45). FIRST LOVE d. Takashi Miike, 2019 at ICA (28 FEB 16:00). THE FORBIDDEN REEL d. Ariel Nasr, 2019 at DocHouse (28 FEB 14:00). THE LIGHTHOUSE d. Robert Eggers, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (28 FEB 20:50). Moving Image Salon inc. Karel Doing 16mm x2 at Film & Video Umbrella (28 FEB 15:00 – FREE!/Booking essential). MR. JONES d. Agnieszka Holland, 2019 at Ciné Lumière (28 FEB 15:50). QUEEN & SLIM d. Melina Matsoukas, 2019 at Catford Mews (28 FEB 18:20). TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM d. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, 2019 + Readings by QPCS students presented by We Are Parable at The Lexi (28 FEB 18:00). TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG d. Justin Kurzel, 2020 + Q&A with actor George Mackay at Fulham Picturehouse (28 FEB 18:30).

Subscribers at RADIANT CIRCUS can unblock a great discount at Screen25 Cinema.

SAT 29

What to see in London this week: PENDA'S FEN, part of Of Mud and Flame at The Whitechapel Gallery (29 FEB).
What to see in London this week: PENDA’S FEN, part of Of Mud & Flame at The Whitechapel Gallery (29 FEB).

Of Mud & Flame: PENDA’S FEN and the World Beyond Screening + Panel Q&A with Cast & Crew at The Whitechapel Gallery (29 FEB 15:30):

  • “In one young man’s search for his sense of self, writer David Rudkin takes us on a magnificent metaphysical journey quite unlike any other TV play. The cult status of PENDA’S FEN is no doubt due to its potent mix of mysticism, music and landscape, which taps into an elemental truth about our pagan past. Followed by a discussion with Rudkin and cast.”

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE d. Céline Sciamma, 2019 + Recorded Intro by the director & Performance/Creative Writing Workshop with Kit Griffiths at Curzon Soho (29 FEB 18:00):

  • Birds’ Eye View #ReclaimTheFrame presents: “Céline Sciamma’s sumptuously beautiful Cannes prize-winner is one of cinema’s most compelling visions of the power of desire. Set in late 18th century France, painter Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is commissioned by an affluent countess to paint the wedding portrait of her sheltered daughter Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) so she can be appraised by a suitor across the sea.”

PUSH d. Fredrik Gertten, 2019 + Panel with the director, Leilani Farha (UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing), & Nicholas Burton (Grenfell Tower survivor & campaigner) at Curzon Soho (29 FEB 15:15):

  • “Landlords without faces. Apartments without renters. A documentary exploring the new, unliveable city. Despite housing’s status a fundamental human right and a precondition to a safe and healthy life, it is becoming almost impossible to find an affordable place to live in cities across the world. Screening in association with Justice4Grenfell and The Grenfell Foundation.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

SUN 01

What to see in London this week: WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES? at BFI Southbank (01 MAR).
What to see in London this week: WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES? at BFI Southbank (01 MAR).

OUTSIDE THE CITY d. Nick Hamer, 2019 + Q&A at Rio Cinema (01 MAR 15:45):

  • “The monks of Leicestershire’s Mount St Bernard Abbey, the only Trappist monastery in England, are an ageing community of 25 men who have turned their backs on consumer society to focus on spirituality. Although mindfulness of God and fraternal communion are the rules of the order, they must still evolve in order to preserve their ages-old way of life.”

PUSH d. Fredrik Gertten, 2019 + Panel inc. the director, Leilani Farha (UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing), & Nicholas Burton (Grenfell Tower survivor & campaigner) at Picturehouse Central (01 MAR 14:00):

  • Guardian Live presents: “Landlords without faces. Apartments without renters. A documentary exploring the new, unliveable city. Despite housing’s status a fundamental human right and a precondition to a safe and healthy life, it is becoming almost impossible to find an affordable place to live in cities across the world.”

WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES? d. William A Seiter, 1926 + Intro on behalf of Reginald Denny’s granddaughter & biographer Kimberly Pucci + Live Piano Accompaniment by Cyrus Gabrysch at BFI Southbank (01 MAR 14:15):

  • “You might recognise Reginald Denny from his part as the personable estate manager in Hitchcock’s REBECCA (1940) or as Algy in the 1930s Bulldog Drummond series, but in his youth this dashing actor from Richmond, Surrey was the toast of Hollywood. This cracking farce on a ‘night before the wedding’ theme, scripted by Melville W Brown, showcases Denny’s gift for comedy and his likeable personality.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

MON 02

What to see in London this week: SULPHUR & WHITE at Genesis Cinema (02 MAR).
What to see in London this week: SULPHUR & WHITE at Genesis Cinema (02 MAR).

SULPHUR & WHITE d. Julian Jarrold, 2020 + Q&A with David Tait & screenwriter Susie Farrell at Genesis Cinema (02 MAR 18:20):

  • “City of London, trading floor, 2008, in a world of cutthroat deals it takes a unique person to succeed. Single-minded to the point of ruthless, David is this person. But beyond the aura of success lies a secret. There are layers to David… once chipped away, what lies behind the facade?”

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • Animation: The Write Stuff Panel Discussion at BFI (02 MAR 18:30). THE CROW d. Alex Proyas, 1994 presented by Monday Movie at Hand Of Glory (02 MAR 20:00). FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, 2019 at DocHouse (02 MAR 18:20). I LOSSENS TIME aka The Hour Of The Lynx part of Nordic Film Nights at Deptford Cinema (02 MAR 19:30). MIDNIGHT TRAVELER d. Hassan Fazili, 2019 at Regent Street Cinema (02 MAR 18:30 & 20:30). MR. JONES d. Agnieszka Holland, 2019 at Ciné Lumière (02 MAR 20:40). ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD d. Quentin Tarantino, 2019 at Exhibit B (02 MAR 18:30). THE TWO POPES d. Fernando Meirelles, 2019 at The Lexi (02 MAR 15:00 & 20:50).

TUE 03

What to see in London this week: AND THEN WE DANCED at Genesis Cinema (03 MAR).
What to see in London this week: AND THEN WE DANCED at Genesis Cinema (03 MAR).

AND THEN WE DANCED d. Levan Akin, 2019 + Panel Discussion at Genesis Cinema (03 MAR 18:20):

  • Fringe! Flings presents: “All that Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) wants from life is to join the main company of the National Georgian Dance Ensemble, break free from Georgian society and travel the world. An ensemble place suddenly becomes available and his ambitions seem within reach – until Irakli (Bachi Valishvili) unexpectedly joins his group, and Merab fears he could stand between him and his dreams”

COOL DADDIO: THE SECOND YOUTH OF R. STEVIE MOORE d. Imogen Putler & Monika Baran, 2019 + Q&A with the directors at DocHouse (03 MAR 18:30):

  • “This one’s for the musical outsiders; the cassette tape lovers; the underground introverts, and the do-it-at-home-yourself-ers. This one’s for R. Stevie Moore, the self-confessed bedroom hermit who never sold out, never went mainstream, and made over 400 self-released albums.”

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA d. Rob Marshall, 2005 + Intro by Anna Jackson, curator of the exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk (V&A) at Ciné Lumière (03 MAR 18:30):

  • “Winner of 3 Academy awards, including Best Cinematography and Costume Design, the iconic Memoirs of a Geisha is an aesthetical bewilderment. A fishing girl is sold by her impoverished family to a geisha house and eventually becomes one of the most celebrated geishas of her time.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • 3 FACES d. Jafar Panahi, 2018 presented by Richmond Film Society at The Exchange (03 MAR 20:00). Alliance By Kounosuke Kawakami inc. VOICE (2018), ALARA (2019) & CHIMERA (2019) at Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation (03 MAR 18:00 – FREE!). BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ d. Pamela Green, 2018 at The David Lean (03 MAR 19:30). BOOKSMART d. Olivia Wilde, 2019 presented by Wimbledon Film Club at Curzon Wimbledon (03 MAR 20:30). BRING IT ON d. Peyton Reed, 2000 presented by Deeper Into Movies at Peckham Levels (03 MAR 19:30 – FREE!). THE FORBIDDEN REEL d. Ariel Nasr, 2019 at DocHouse (03 MAR 13:00). JOKER d. Todd Phillips, 2019 at Watermans (03 MAR 15:00). LA DOLCE VITA 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1960 at Regent Street Cinema (03 MAR 19:30). LE CRIME DE MONSIEUR LANGE d. Jean Renoir, 1936 presented by Sands Film Club at Sands Films (03 MAR 20:00 – FREE!). MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE d. Stephen Frears, 1985 presented by Primrose Hill Community Library Film Show at Primrose Hill Community Library (03 MAR 19:45 – Free glass of wine with each ticket). QUEEN & SLIM d. Melina Matsoukas, 2019 at Catford Mews (03 MAR 18:20). SEVEN DEATHS IN THE CATS EYE d. Antonio Margheriti, 1973 at Helgi’s (03 MAR 19:00 – FREE!). THE SOCIAL NETWORK d. David Fincher, 2010 presented by Goldsmiths Law Dept at Curzon Goldsmiths (03 MAR 18:00). TARGETS d. Peter Bogdanovich, 1968 presented by Tufnell Park Film Club at The Lord Palmerston (03 MAR 20:00). Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN d. Alfonso Cuarón, 2001 presented by Spanish Marks at India Club Lounge-Bar (03 MAR 19:00).

WED 04

What to see in London this week: LE FRISSON DES VAMPIRES at Helgi's (04 MAR).
What to see in London this week: LE FRISSON DES VAMPIRES, part of The Veiled Fang at Helgi’s (04 MAR).

A SERIAL KILLER’S GUIDE TO LIFE d. Staten Cousins-Roe, 2019 + Q&A with cast & crew at Harris Academy South Norwood (04 MAR 19:45):

  • Screen25 Cinema + Screen Queens present: “One of the most perversely funny features of recent times, A SERIAL KILLER’S GUIDE TO LIFE showcases some of Britain’s best acting talent. DOCTOR WHO’s Katie Brayben is the self-help addict who somehow finds herself on a meandering murder trail, ably assisted by her eccentric life coach (Poppy Roe), when things inevitably spiral out of control.”

NOVA d. Cao Fei, 2019 + Q&A with the director at Everyman Screen On The Green (04 MAR 19:00):

  • Serpentine Cinema presents: “the UK premiere of artist Cao Fei’s feature-length film Nova. A ‘retro-Sci Fi’ movie made out of the artist’s research into the transformation of Beijing’s Jiuxianqiao (Hong Xia) district, Nova tells the story of a computer scientist attempting to turn humans into digital mediums. The screening will begin with a Q&A between Cao Fei and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries.”

The Veiled Fang: Lesbian Vampire Erotics Of 70’s Eurohorror talk by Patricia MacCormack + Screening: LE FRISSON DES VAMPIRES d. Jean Rollin, 1971 + Intro by Merlyn Roberts at Helgi’s Bar (04 MAR 19:00):

  • World Wide Weird! presents: “In this illustrated talk Patricia MacCormack will introduce the varied manifestations of lesbian vampires in ’70s euro horror including the films of Franco, Larraz, Borowczyk, Grau and with special emphasis on the work of Jean Rollin, with whom the speaker was close friends until his death.”

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • 1917 d. Sam Mendes, 2019 at The David Lean (04 MAR 14:30 & 19:30). AMAZING GRACE d. Alan Elliott & Sydney Pollack, 2018 presented by Pitshanger Pictures at St Barnabas Church Ealing (04 MAR 20:15). AND THEN WE DANCED d. Levan Akin, 2019 + Q&A with the director at ICA (04 MAR 20:30). BONSAI d. Cristian Jimenez, 2011 presented by Latin American Cinema Nights at Deptford Cinema (04 MAR 20:00). CARAMEL d. Nadine Labaki, 2007 presented by T A P E in celebration of International Women’s Day at Catford Mews (04 MAR 20:45). THE FORBIDDEN REEL d. Ariel Nasr, 2019 at DocHouse (04 MAR 16:10). FOR SAMA d. Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, 2019 at DocHouse (04 MAR 20:30). THE GOOD SOLDIER SCHWEJK d. Christine Edzard, 2018 at Sands Films (04 MAR 19:30 – FREE!). I, TONYA d. Craig Gillespie, 2017 presented by Twickenham Cinema Club at The Exchange (04 MAR 19:30). THE LADYKILLERS d. Alexander Mackendrick, 1955 at Regent Street Cinema (04 MAR 12:00 & 15:30). MIDNIGHT FAMILY d. Luke Lorentzen, 2019 at Ciné Lumière (04 MAR 16:20). Minute Offline: Identity Short Film Programme + Live Music + Q&A with filmmakers presented by Minute Offline at Peckham Levels (04 MAR 18:30). MISBEHAVIOUR d. Philippa Lowthorpe, 2020 + Q&A with the director + Women’s Liberation Movement member Sally Alexander at Regent Street Cinema (04 MAR 19:30). TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM d. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, 2019 + Q&A with Akua Gyamfi presented by We Are Parable at Rich Mix (04 MAR 18:00). VAGABOND d. Agnès Varda, 1985 presented by Leytonstone Film Club at Leytonstone Library (04 MAR 19:45).

THU 05

What to see in London this week: SILICON VALLEY'S ONLINE SLAVE MARKET at Frontline Club (05 MAR).
What to see in London this week: SILICON VALLEY’S ONLINE SLAVE MARKET at Frontline Club (05 MAR).

BACURAU d. Juliano Dornelles & Kleber Mendonça Filho, 2019 + Q&A with co-director Kleber Mendonça Filho & co-writer Juliano Dornelles at Curzon Bloomsbury (05 MAR 18:00):

  • “Bacurau, a settlement in rural Brazil, is shaken by its matriarch’s death. But something strange is happening, the water supply has been cut off, and the village has disappeared from satellite maps completely. Under threat from an unknown enemy, Bacurau braces itself for a brutal fight for survival.”

SILICON VALLEY’S ONLINE SLAVE MARKET d. Jess Kelly, 2020 + Panel Discussion at Frontline Club (05 MAR 19:00):

  • “This BBC News Arabic film reveals how Google, Apple and Facebook-owned Instagram are enabling an illegal online slave market by providing and approving apps used for the buying and selling of domestic workers in the Gulf. The film’s undercover investigation exposes app users in Kuwait breaking local and international laws on modern slavery, including a woman offering a child for sale, whose later rescue and journey back home to Guinea, West Africa, is followed.”

TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM d. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, 2019 + Intro & Reading by Black Girls Book Club at Genesis Cinema (05 MAR 21:00):

  • The New Black presents: “This artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller examines her life, her works, and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout her literary career. Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics, and colleagues on an exploration of race, history, America, and the human condition.”
  • Also: TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM d. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, 2019 + Q&A with Margaret Busby presented by African Odysseys at BFI Southbank (05 MAR 18:00).

More films in London today (A – Z):

  • 2040 d. Damon Gameau, 2019 at The Lexi (05 MAR 18:30). AKENFIELD d. Peter Hall, 1974 presented by Cunning Folk at Balham Bowls Club (05 MAR 20:00). COOL DADDIO: THE SECOND YOUTH OF R. STEVIE MOORE d. Imogen Putler & Monika Baran, 2019 at DocHouse (05 MAR 20:30). DRACULA A.D. 1972 d. Alan Gibson, 1972 + Q&A with Caroline Munro at Regent Street Cinema (05 MAR 19:30). EMMA d. Autumn de Wilde, 2020 at JW3 (05 MAR 12:40). FORCE MAJEURE d. Ruben Östlund, 2014 at Curzon Aldgate (05 MAR 18:39 – Other Curzons available!). INSCRIPTIONS OF AN IMMENSE THEATRE d. Ailbhe Ní Bhriain, 2018 + Q&A with the director & composer Susan Stenger at The Whitechapel Art Gallery (05 MAR 19:00). JELLYFISH d. James Gardner, 2018 + Q&A with co-screenwriter Simon Lord presented by Talkies Community Cinema at The Dugdale Centre (05 MAR 19:00). JOKER d. Todd Phillips, 2019 at Watermans (05 MAR 20:45). MicroActs 6 – International Artist Film at Sidecar Coffee Bar (05 MAR 18:00). MY GENERATION d. David Batty, 2017 presented by Whilred Docs at Whirled Cinema (05 MAR 20:00). POETIC JUSTICE d. John Singleton, 1994 presented by Black Ink Cinema at The Castle Cinema (05 MAR 21:00 – Prosecco reception on arrival 20:00). REVOLUTION OF SOUND: TANGERINE DREAM d. Margarete Kreuzer, 2017 + Q&A with the director & co-producer Bianca Froese-Acquaye at Genesis Cinema (05 MAR 18:35). TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM d. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, 2019 presented by T A P E in celebration of International Women’s Day at Catford Mews (05 MAR 20:00).

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MUSEUM SHOWS PART 1

SEASONS (by event/date)

What to see in London this week: DEATH IS A CARESS 35mm, part of HER LENS, HIS STORY: FEMALE DIRECTORS & MASCULINITIES at Barbican (01 MAR).
What to see in London this week: DEATH IS A CARESS 35mm, part of HER LENS, HIS STORY: FEMALE DIRECTORS & MASCULINITIES at Barbican (01 MAR).

70mm PRESENTATIONS at The Prince Charles (ongoing):

  • JOKER 70mm d. Todd Phillips, 2019 (03 MAR 20:45).

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

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

  • COLOR OUT OF SPACE d. Richard Stanley, 2019 (28 FEB to 05 MAR/Check venue to details); THE MATRIX 35mm d. Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski, 1999 (29 FEB 18:15); and, THE PRESTIGE 35mm d. Christopher Nolan, 2006 (05 MAR 20:45).

AFRICAN IDENTITIES REBORN at DocHouse (31 JAN to 05 MAR):

“Going beyond the misconceptions to look at how complex African identities are today.” Includes:

  • MALI BLUES d. Lutz Gregor, 2017 (29 FEB 20:30 / 05 MAR 14:30).

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

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

AMAZING GRACE at Regent Street Cinema (MAR to APR):

“Most noted for her brilliant work with Alfred Hitchcock, and for her inimitable style, we look at the work of Grace Kelly whose memorable performances in the films she made before she became Princess Grace of Monaco linger in the mind.” Includes:

  • HIGH NOON d. Fred Zinnemann, 1952 (01 MAR 14:00).

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.” Includes:

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:

BIG SCREEN CLASSICS: MAN VS NATURE at BFI Southbank (MAR):

“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:

CHEN CHIEH-JEN: REVERBERATIONS at Tate Modern (02 to 07 MAR)

“A two-day film series presented by Taiwan Film Festival UK, offering an opportunity to see a selection of the artist’s daring and poetic videos, and gain insight into his work with a special, intimate masterclass.” Includes:

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

  • THE PRESTIGE 35mm d. Christopher Nolan, 2006 (05 MAR 20:45).

THE CINEMA OF JESSICA HAUSNER at BFI Southbank (FEB to MAR):

“We celebrate one of the most distinctive European filmmakers working today, and welcome her to the BFI stage.” Includes:

  • LOVELY RITA 35mm d. Jessica Hausner, 2001 (28 FEB 20:45); LOURDES 35mm d. Jessica Hausner, 2009 (29 FEB 18:20); and, AMOUR FOU d. Jessica Hausner, 2014 (29 FEB 20:40).
  • New Releases: LITTLE JOE d. Jessica Hausner, 2019 (21 FEB to 05 MAR/Check venue for details).

CLOSE UP: CÉLINE SCIAMMA at BFI Southbank (MAR):

“A compelling and urgent voice in contemporary cinema that we think you should hear.” Includes:

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:

ESSENTIAL CINEMA at Close-Up (DEC to MAR):

“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:

  • 8½ 4K d. Federico Fellini, 1963 (28 FEB 20:15 / 05 MAR 20:15); LA DOLCE VITA d. Federico Fellini, 1960 (01 MAR 19:00); VIRIDIANA d. Luis Buñuel, 1961 (03 MAR 20:15); and, ACCATTONE d. Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1961 (04 MAR 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:

  • IL BIDONE 4K aka The Swindlers d. Federico Fellini, 1955 (28 FEB 18:00 / 29 FEB 15:40); JULIET OF THE SPIRITS 4K aka Giulietta degli spiriti d. Federico Fellini, 1965 (28 FEB 20:25); AMACORD 35mm d. Federico Fellini, 1973 (29 FEB 18:30); and, THE CLOWNS 4K aka I clowns d. Federico Fellini, 1970 (29 FEB 21:00).

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:

HER LENS, HIS STORY: FEMALE DIRECTORS & MASCULINITIES at Barbican (26 FEB to 10 MAR):

“Explore complex, revealing and often provocative takes on men and masculinity, as seen through the lens of female filmmakers around the world.” Includes:

  • HEAD ON d. Ana Kokkinos, 1998 + Intro by curator Alex Davidson (28 FEB 18:20); DEATH IS A CARESS 35mm d. Edith Carlmar, 1949 + Intro by Isabel Stevens (01 MAR 15:00); THE ASCENT d. Larisa Shepitko, 1977 + Intro by Vlad Strukov (04 MAR 18:20); and, A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE 35mm d. Anahí Berneri, 2005 (05 MAR 18:30).

IN FOCUS: PEDRO COSTA at ICA (03 to 15 MAR):

“Pedro Costa is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists working in film today. To coincide with the UK release of VITALINA VARELA, which won the Best Film Award at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival, the ICA is presenting a retrospective looking at the singular career of this extraordinary Portuguese filmmaker.” Includes:

  • VITALINA VARELA d. Pedro Costa, 2019 + Q&A with the director (03 MAR 19:30); and, CASA DE LAVA d. Pedro Costa, 1995 + Q&A with the director (05 MAR 18:30).

JACK LEMMON IN… at Regent Street Cinema (MAR to APR):

“Once described as “America’s everyman” and often playing likeable but down on their luck characters, we celebrate the extraordinary versatility of an actor who was a virtuoso in both comedy and drama.” Includes:

JELINEK – HANDKE AND THE SILVER SCREEN at Austrian Cultural Forum (FEB to MAR – FREE!):

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.” Includes:

  • MEMORIES OF MURDER aka Salinui chueok d. Bong Joon-ho, 2003 (02 MAR 18:00); and, MOTHER 35mm aka Madeo d. Bong Joon-ho, 2009 (04 MAR 18:10).

LATE NIGHTS SEASON – NICOLAS CAGE at Everyman Screen On The Green (FEB to MAR):

  • MANDY d. Panos Cosmatos, 2018 (29 FEB 23:30).

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

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

  • PRIDE d. Matthew Warchus, 2014 (28 FEB 19:00 – Colour House Theatre – FREE!).

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON at Deptford Cinema (29 FEB to 20 JUN):

“Anderson’s films are often characterized by their depiction of flawed and desperate characters, explorations of themes such as dysfunctional families, alienation and loneliness, a bold visual style.” Includes:

  • MAGNOLIA d. Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999 (29 FEB 20:00).

REEL TIME FOR BLACK LOVE at Johmard Centre (17 JAN to 29 FEB – FREE!)

RIGHTS AT RISK: YESTERDAY / TOMORROW at DocHouse (06 FEB to 01 MAR):

“If your rights were at risk before, what do the current political changes mean for tomorrow?” Includes:

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:

  • ROMAN HOLIDAY d. William Wyler, 1953 (28 FEB 17:00 & 19:15 – FREE!); PRETTY WOMAN d. Garry Marshall, 1990 (29 FEB 15:00 & 17:30 – FREE!); and, ANNIE HALL d. Woody Allen, 1977 (01 MAR 14:00 & 16:00 – FREE!).

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:

  • MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO 35mm d. Hayao Miyazaki, 1988 (29 FEB 12:00).
  • All-Nighter: STUDIO GHIBLI PYJAMA PARTY 6 Films, 1 Ticket (29 FEB 20:45 – All subtitled – Currently looking SOLD OUT!/Check venue).
  • Dubbed versions available. Check venue for details.

TILDA SWINTON at BFI Southbank (MAR):

“A season showcasing this creative chameleon, an extraordinary, convention-defying filmmaker and performer who’s worked with the best in art and cinema.” Includes:

MUSEUM SHOWS PART 2

FILM FESTIVALS (by event)

What to see in London this week: STOLEN DAYS, part of Cinema Made In Italy at Ciné Lumière (05 MAR).
What to see in London this week: STOLEN DAYS, part of Cinema Made In Italy at Ciné Lumière (05 MAR).

Film festivals in London this week include:

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GRIND SHOWS

REGULAR RUNS & MAINSTREAM MARVELS (by title)

What to see in London this week: PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE at ArtHouse Crouch End (28 FEB to 05 MAR).
What to see in London this week: PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE at ArtHouse Crouch End (28 FEB to 05 MAR).

COLOR OUT OF SPACE d. Richard Stanley, 2019 at The Prince Charles (28 FEB to 05 MAR):

  • “A cosmic nightmare from the minds of H.P. Lovecraft and cult director, Richard Stanley, COLOR OUT OF SPACE follows Nathan Gardner (Nicolas Cage), Theresa Gardner (Joely Richardson) and their three children, (Madeleine Arthur, Brenden Meyer and Julian Hilliard), whose recent retreat to rural life quickly crumbles when a meteorite crashes into their front yard.”

DARK WATERS d. Todd Haynes, 2019 at Genesis Cinema (28 FEB to 05 MAR):

  • “A tenacious attorney uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world’s largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything – his future, his family, and his own life – to expose the truth.”

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER d. Beniamino Barrese, 2019 at ICA (28 FEB to 05 MAR):

  • “As an iconic fashion model during the 1960s, Benedetta Barzini was a muse to Warhol, Dali, Penn and Avedon. As a radical feminist in the 1970s, she fought for the rights and emancipation of women. But at the age of 75, Benedetta has become exhausted with the various roles that life has imposed upon her and decides escape the world of images and disappear for good.”
  • Also: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER d. Beniamino Barrese, 2019 + Q&A with the director at ICA (28 FEB 20:40).

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE d. Céline Sciamma, 2019 at ArtHouse Crouch End (28 FEB to 05 MAR):

  • “Set in late 18th century France, painter Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is commissioned by an affluent countess to paint the wedding portrait of her sheltered but headstrong daughter Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), in the hope it will find her a wealthy husband. While posing as her hired companion, Marianne is instructed to complete the portrait in secret, observing Héloïse by day and painting her by night. However, as the two women grow closer, their intimacy and attraction begins to blossom, paving the way for a simmering, star-crossed romance.”

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

  • EMMA d. Autumn de Wilde, 2020 at Catford Mews (until 05 MAR). FIRST LOVE aka Hatsukoi d. Takashi Miike, 2019 at The Prince Charles (until 05 MAR). THE GOOD LIAR d. Bill Condon, 2019 at Whirled Cinema (02 to 08 MAR). JOJO RABBIT d. Taika Waititi, 2019 at The Prince Charles (until 05 MAR). THE LIGHTHOUSE d. Robert Eggers, 2019 at The Prince Charles (28 FEB to 05 MAR). LITTLE JOE d. Jessica Hausner, 2019 at Catford Mews (28 FEB to 05 MAR). PARASITE d. Bong Joon-ho, 2019 at Rich Mix (until 05 MAR). PUSH d. Fredrik Gertten, 2019 at Rio Cinema (29 FEB to 05 MAR).  QUEEN & SLIM d. Melina Matsoukas, 2019 at Genesis Cinema (until 04 MAR). THE RHYTHM SECTION d. Reed Morano, 2020 at Watermans (28 FEB to 05 MAR). TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG d. Justin Kurzel, 2019 at Rich Mix (28 FEB to 05 MAR). WAITING FOR ANYA d. Ben Cookson, 2019 presented by UKJF at JW3 (01 to 05 MAR).

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“Home of alternative screen culture in London” (Film London)

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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+.