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THE BALLY #79: What to see in London this week (reopening edition)

[03 TO 09 JUL]: The free weekly newsletter from RADIANT CIRCUS about what to see on London’s alternative cinema scene (including venue reopenings & virtual events). We cover London’s indie & underground venues, film clubs, popups & film festivals as well as new releases, restorations & revivals.

By RADIANT CIRCUS

Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

A work in progress… but there’s a light.

This is a text block for the section: SCREEN NEWS - NEWS FROM ACROSS LONDON'S ALTERNATIVE CINEMA SCENE.
NEWS FROM ACROSS LONDON’S ALTERNATIVE CINEMA SCENE.

Here we go… Genesis Cinema starts projecting on 04 JUL as the UK government continues its relaxation of lockdown laws in England. To mark the occasion, we’ve listed many of their screening times below (conveniently overlooking TROLLS: WORLD TOUR…). Elsewhere, a small number of Everyman Cinemas will reopen on Saturday (including Barnet and Hampstead) with a few more powering up their projector bulbs from 10 JUL (locations TBC). Films screening at Everyman Hampstead on reopening day include PARASITE, 1917, QUEEN & SLIM, LITTLE WOMEN, and WILD ROSE (and yes, they’re showing TROLLS too…).

Many other London venues have been reviewing their readiness to reopen and have decided to adopt a different pace. Over the last few days, Picturehouse postponed screenings until 31 JUL (locations TBC), Barbican confirmed their galleries will reopen but not their cinemas on 13 JUL and both Rich Mix and The Castle Cinema confirmed they would be open by ‘early September’. Reflecting the mood of many, the team at The Castle said:

“More than anything we want everyone to feel safe and confident in returning to us, so we’ll be using the summer to ensure we get it right when we do reopen our doors.”

We continue to keep a watch out for new dates, fundraising and other venue support initiatives in our A to Z directory of cinema reopenings.

We’ve searched and scanned for this week’s virtual events and offer our rundown below. As is usual on London’s indie screens at this time of year, it’s a queer bunch. Don’t forget, some streaming services pay back directly to venues, including Second Run On Demand. We’ve also noted new releases from Modern Films that allow you to buy a ‘virtual screening room ticket’, splitting revenues between the distributor and your favourite venue. Current offerings include CARMINE STREET GUITARS (d. Ron Mann, 2018). London venues include Ciné Lumière and ArtHouse Crouch End.

The other big hit of news this week was BFI announcing the format for a virtual edition of the London Film Festival (07 to 18 OCT). The online event will deliver up to 50 virtual premieres with every title accompanied by an intro or Q&A with the filmmakers. There’ll also be a series of free short film streamings, screen talks, roundtables and an exhibition of ‘XR’ attractions (which we think refers to virtual reality and other immersive tech).

Given the news about the London Film Festival, our featured attraction of the week is a FREE preview screening of one of our favourites from last year’s event, Werner Herzog’s FAMILY ROMANCE, LLC. The lovely people at MUBI.com are streaming this with an extended Q&A with the man himself (03 JUL), no membership required. Get yourself in the mood by reading our FAMILY ROMANCE, LLC writeup from #LFF19.

We hope to have some first hand experiences of the new cinema experiences for you very soon…

Stay safe & I look forward to seeing you in the darkness again,

Richard – Barker-In-Chief, RADIANT CIRCUS

[VIRTUAL] SCREEN EVENTS FROM LONDON THIS WEEK.

These listings are about London-driven streaming events rather than those available further afield. Our ambition is to celebrate London’s alternative cinema exhibitors (because that’s what we’re here for).

> Got an event coming up? TELL US ABOUT IT!

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Cheap Cuts Doc Fest – COMMUNITIES CREATE Q&A Live discussion with filmmakers (03 JUL 19:00):

  • Cheap Cuts 2020: “Join us after watching the strand “Communities Create” to discuss the process of making the films and interact with the filmmakers. “
  • How it works: Buy a festival pass to access the film programme & live events.

FAMILY ROMANCE, LLC (d. Werner Herzog, 2019) Free online preview screening + extended Q&A with the director at MUBI.com (03 JUL):

  • MUBI.com: “Love is a business in the latest film from the legendary Werner Herzog. Family Romance is a Tokyo-based company that offers the perfect stand-ins for absent family, friends or admirers – available to rent for any occasion. Blending fiction storytelling with documentary-style visuals, FAMILY ROMANCE, LLC is a striking meditation on truth and artifice in the age of loneliness.”
  • How it works: Click on the above link, register your email & receive a link to the film. Film available for 24hrs. No obligation or MUBI subscription needed.

OUT RUN (d. S. Leo Chiang & Johnny Symons, 2016) FREE to view online at queereast.org.uk (03 to 10 JUL – FREE!):

  • Queer East presents Docs4Pride: “OUT RUN follows Bemz Benedito, who led the world’s only LGBTQ+ political party Ladlad, in her historic quest to become the first transgender woman elected to the Philippine Congress. The film documents Ladlad’s journey of rallying LGBTQ+ representation & provides a unique look into how queer communities transition into the mainstream.”
  • How it works: Free to watch online for one week.
  • Find out more: We’ve posted a guide to Queer East’s full Docs4Pride programme which streams throughout JUL.

Screening War for Children in Post-Suez Britain FREE online talk by Kevin M. Flanagan, George Mason University (03 JUL 18:00):

  • BIMI presents: “This talk explores the ways in which war gets abstracted and allegorized for children in post-1945 Britain, with an emphasis on two time periods: the immediate decades following the Suez Crisis (roughly, 1956-1980) and the 2010s.”
  • How it works: Follow the links to register & gain access to the live streams.

Uniqlo Tate Lates Night In FREE event live stream at tate.org.uk (03 JUL 19:00 – 21:00):

  • Tate Modern: “While Tate Modern is closed, Uniqlo Tate Lates Night In is bringing an artist-led programme direct to you, wherever you are. Join us online to explore the work of LGBTIQ+ artists and visual activists with a mix of artist talks, workshops, film, music and meditation. Includes: SUMMER NIGHT BY THE BEACH by Kirsten Astrup & Maria Bordorff curated by Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest.”
  • How it works: The programme will be presented over two live streams HERE. Recordings of the streams will be available until 10 JUL.

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Cheap Cuts Doc Fest – TELLING A STORY Q&A + IN MY OWN WORDS Q&A Live discussions with filmmakers (04 JUL 14:00 + 19:00):

  • Cheap Cuts 2020: “Join us after watching the strands “Telling A Story” & “In My Own Words” to discuss the process of making the films and interact with the filmmakers. “
  • How it works: Buy a festival pass to access the film programme & live events.

Genesis Cinema today inc (04 JUL): BACK TO THE FUTURE (15:00); BATMAN RETURNS (20:45); BLACK WATER: ABYSS (21:15); DO THE RIGHT THING (21:00); I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (17:50); JUST MERCY (17:30); KNIVES OUT (18:15); MOONLIGHT (18:20); PARASITE (15:20 / 20:35); QUEEN & SLIM (20:20).

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Cheap Cuts Doc Fest – IMPACT Q&A Live discussion with filmmakers (05 JUL 14:00):

  • Cheap Cuts 2020: “Join us after watching the strand “Impact” to discuss the process of making the films and interact with the filmmakers. “
  • How it works: Buy a festival pass to access the film programme & live events.

Genesis Cinema today inc (05 JUL): BACK TO THE FUTURE (14:45); BATMAN RETURNS (17:45); BLACK WATER: ABYSS (18:20); DO THE RIGHT THING (20:45); I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (20:50); JUST MERCY (17:20); KNIVES OUT (17:30); MOONLIGHT (18:00); PARASITE (20:30); QUEEN & SLIM (20:25).

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DC ON DEMAND FREE to stream every MON & THU at deptfordcinema.org:

  • Deptford Cinema: “A new streaming service curated by volunteers at Deptford Cinema. The platform features a wide variety of content each week from student and indie films to artists’ moving image and experimental practice. A new feature film is posted every Monday, with a new Shorts Collection posted every Thursday.”
  • How it works: FREE to stream online. Current feature = SOMEONE’S WIFE aka ISTRI ORANG (d. Dirmawan Hatta, 2018); Current shorts: RANG MAHAL aka PALACE OF COLOURS (d. Prantik Basu, 2018) + THE OUTSIDE IN (d. Hansa Thapliyal, 2019). Some previous films + Pride Month special still available to stream.

Selected X Free online programme of artists’ films (06 to 12 JUL):

  • videoclub: “Each year the artists who are shortlisted for the Film London Jarman Award nominate artists who are earlier in their careers and from those nominations a programme is curated by videoclub and Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN).”
  • How it works: All films free to see on Vimeo.

Genesis Cinema today inc (06 JUL): BATMAN RETURNS (20:30); BLACK WATER: ABYSS (18:00); JUST MERCY (20:45); KNIVES OUT (17:45); MOONLIGHT (17:30); PARASITE (14:50 / 17:50); QUEEN & SLIM (20:40).

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Genesis Cinema today inc (07 JUL): BATMAN RETURNS (20:45); BLACK WATER: ABYSS (18:15); DO THE RIGHT THING (17:45); KNIVES OUT (18:00 HOH); MOONLIGHT (21:10); PARASITE (20:20); QUEEN & SLIM (20:55).

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FANNY LYE DELIVER’D (d. Thomas Clay, 2019) Live Q&A with the director & cast on YouTube (08 JUL 19:00):

  • BFI: Director Thomas Clay and cast members discuss this provocative period drama with critic Kaleem Aftab.
  • How it works: Head on over to BFI’s YouTube page!

SHORT FILMS ABOUT FILMMAKING AND FILMGOING with a live accompaniment – FREE live stream on Youtube (08 JUL 19:30):

  • Kennington Bioscope Online presents: “Silent shorts on the subject of filmmaking and filmgoing from the EYE Filmmuseum, including items from their Jean Desmet collection, plus our first Pathescope 9.5mm showing online, a print of FOUR SQUARE STEVE (1926), with an early role for Fay Wray, from the collection of Christopher Bird. Show hosted by Michelle Facey, with piano performances from Cyrus Gabrysch, Colin Sell and John Sweeney.”
  • How it works: “Subscribe (free) to the YouTube channel and turn notifications on to be alerted when the live stream starts. You can also see previous events from KBTV on their YouTube channel.“

FILMWORKER (d. Tony Zierra, 2017) on All 4 + Kubrick Pub Quiz on Zoom (08 JUL 19:30 + 21:00):

  • Stream25 Cinema presents: “In FILMWORKER, Leon Vitali – Kubrick’s right-hand-man – describes working for the legendary director as being a cinéaste version of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Renowned as both an imperious man and a demanding perfectionist, Kubrick seems to have wielded an almost cult-like power over Vitali and dozens of others who helped to make his creative visions possible.”
  • How it works: Watch FILMWORKER on All4 on 08 JUL at 19:30, then head over to Zoom at 21:00 for the Kubrick-themed Quiz! “Whether you’re a Kubrick mega-fan or just a casual dabbler, all are welcome!”

THIS IS MY FACE (d. Angélica Cabezas Pino, 2018) FREE to stream online (until 09 JUL) + Live Q&A (08 JUL 20:00):

  • Royal Anthropological Institute, RAI Film Festival & Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest present: “In Chile, people living with HIV fear stigma, and often conceal their condition and remain silent about what they are going through. THIS IS MY FACE explores what happens when a range of men living with the virus open up about the illness that changed their life trajectories.”
  • How it works: Watch the film for free in your own time HERE. Get your FREE ticket for the live Q&A HERE .

Genesis Cinema today inc (08 JUL): BATMAN RETURNS (20:30); BLACK WATER: ABYSS (18:00); DO THE RIGHT THING (20:45); KNIVES OUT (15:40); MOONLIGHT (18:30); PARASITE (21:00); QUEEN & SLIM (17:50).

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#WOFFFWatchalong – THINGS TO COME (d. Mia Hansen-Løve, 2016) + Intro/Filmtalks with filmmakers Nicola Hawkins & Deb Ethier + Shorts: ON HOLD + THE SEAMLESS CUP SOCIETY + Twitter chat via MUBI/web (09 JUL 19:00):

  • Women Over 50 Film Festival + Reframed Films present: “Three films to share with you about middle-aged women’s work, loves and lives. In our feature film, the French drama THINGS TO COME, philosophy teacher Nathalie (Isabelle Huppert) juggles work, divorce, her mother’s illness, children and the possibilities of new romance. In ON HOLD a busy middle-aged woman visits her ailing father, and in the animation THE SEAMLESS CUP SOCIETY we learn about the secret signs and spells middle-aged women are privy to.”
  • How it works: THINGS TO COME is available to watch via MUBI (subscription required). Other content is available at wofff.co.uk and is FREE. Twitter chat using #WOFFFWatchalong @WO50FF.

Genesis Cinema today inc (09 JUL): BACK TO THE FUTURE (15:05); BATMAN RETURNS (20:45); BLACK WATER: ABYSS (21:15); DO THE RIGHT THING (21:00); I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (17:50); JUST MERCY (17:25 HOH); KNIVES OUT (18:25); MOONLIGHT (18:15); PARASITE (15:20 / 20:35); QUEEN & SLIM (20:20).

NEW ARTICLES & ATTRACTIONS AT RADIANTCIRCUS.COM.

QE: DOCS4PRIDE

This is a film still from OUT RUN (d. S. Leo Chiang & Johnny Symons, 2016) screening at QE: Docs4Pride (JULY 2020).
OUT RUN (d. S. Leo Chiang & Johnny Symons, 2016) at QE: Docs4Pride (JULY 2020).

Pride 2020 has been like no other. To mark this changing season, Queer East is streaming Docs4Pride focusing on racial inequalities within the LGBTQ+ community & the work that still needs to be done to ensure an inclusive movement worldwide.

CHEAP CUTS 2020: NEXT STOP – SPAIN

This is a film still from THOSE WHO DESIRE by Elena López Riera at Cheap Cuts Doc Fest 2020.
THOSE WHO DESIRE by Elena López Riera at Cheap Cuts Doc Fest 2020.

NEXT STOP is a new strand at Cheap Cuts Doc Fest (29 JUN to 05 JUL) highlighting films & filmmakers from a specific country. This year’s focus is on Spain in two live events that opened the festival’s digital programme. Read about what we saw in our first screen diary from Cheap Cuts 2020.

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*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. 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+.