POWELL & PRESSBURGER IN FOCUS

Following the Festival screening of ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ in August, we bring you two Powell and Pressburger films this season, along with an illustrated talk by Pamela Hutchinson. We will follow this up in December with ‘The Red Shoes.’

Black Narcissus

SAT 21 OCT 15:45

TUE 24 OCT 18:00

BOOKING REF

A group of nuns struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad.

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts.

Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron) falls for a government worker, Mr Dean (David Farrar), and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love. It is a landmark film with bold colours and enormous landscapes, about tension and eroticism boiling beneath the façades.

UK 1947 MICHAEL POWEL/LEMERIC PRESSBURGER 101M

The Magic Of Powell And Pressburger

To accompany a short season of films from Powell and Pressburger, this illustrated talk will explore the unusual filmmaking partnership known as ‘The Archers.’ Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger made some of the most imaginative and romantic British films ever made. This illustrated talk from freelance critic, curator and film historian Pamela Hutchinson will explore the roots of their partnership, their unique creative dynamic, which Powell described as a “marriage without sex”, and how they pushed boundaries on screen through the war years and beyond. We will discuss their distinctive visual style, technical and artistic brilliance and the shimmering touches of magic that bring their films to life.

100M (INC 10M Q&A)

I KNOW WHERE I’M GOING

Powell and Pressburger’s charming love story set in the Hebrides is relatively unknown – which is astonishing as it is one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made.

Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster (Wendy Hiller) travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil (Roger Livesey), who holds a secret that may change her life forever. It’s a remarkable study of a place and a people. This study is never quaint, traveloguish, educational or condescending. Filmed on location, the topography of the islands will stay with you long after the credits.

UK 1945 MICHAEL POWELL/EMERIC PRESSBURGER 92M

TUE

THU

TICKETS £12.50

KLIMT & THE KISS EXHIBITION ON SCREEN

This is an exquisitely rich film that delves into the detail and passion surrounding Gustav Klimt’s iconic artwork as well as revealing the scandalous life of the artist himself.

Painted in Vienna around 1908, the evocative image of an unknown embracing couple has captivated viewers with its mystery, sensuality and dazzling materials ever since it was created. But just what lies behind the appeal of the painting – and just who was the artist that created it? Delving into the details of real gold, decorative designs, symbolism and simmering erotica, a close study of the painting takes us to the remarkable turn of the century Vienna when a new world was battling with the old. Klimt was a titan of the Art Nouveau movement, creating decadent new worlds which merged tender sensuality, ancient mythology and radical modernity. Discover the scandalous life and the rich tapestry of extraordinary influences behind one of the world’s favourite paintings.

UK 2023 ALI RAY 90M

Passages

A gay couple’s marriage is thrown into crisis when one of them impulsively begins a passionate affair with a young woman.

Franz Rogowski plays self-obsessed film director Tomas, married to artist Martin (Ben Whishaw), but forever curious for more. That more arrives in the shape of Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a teacher he meets at a bar before finding himself in her bedroom. He’s brazenly proud when recounting the tale back at home but when lust turns to love, or at least his concept of it, whatever conflicted openness Martin might have previously had soon curdles into distaste. Its sophisticated approach to romance (or, perhaps, the absence of it) is not too cool or alienating, because Sachs and his sterling cast give the film such textured, specific life. N.B. This is an 18-certificate film containing graphic sex scenes.

FRANCE/GERMANY 2023 IRA SACHS 91M

FRI 27 OCT 13:30 & 18:00

SAT 28 OCT 13:15 & 18:00

SUN 29 OCT 13:15 & 18:00

MON 30 OCT 15:45 & 20:00

TUE 31 OCT 13:45 & 18:00

WED 1 NOV 15:45 & 20:00

THU 2 NOV 15:45 & 18:00

BOOKING REF

The Miracle Club

Four Irish women leave Dublin for the first time bound for Lourdes. Laura Linney, Kathy Bates and Maggie Smith star. Set in 1960s Ireland, this film tells the story of “funny, messy, vocal and flawed” working-class women who have never left their homes in the suburbs of Dublin. With “benevolent interference” from their local priest, they escape their daily struggles when they win the prize of a lifetime – a church talent competition that takes them to a place of miracles, the sacred French town of Lourdes. The film succeeds mainly because of a flawless ensemble, among whom viewers can put their faith in the eternally dependable Smith stealing the movie. This is a story of forgiveness and understanding that will provoke tears and laughter.

IRELAND/UK 2023 THADDEUS O’SULLIVAN 90M

Golda

FRI 27 OCT 15:45

SAT 28 OCT 20:00

MON 30 OCT 13:15

WED 1 NOV 13:30

BOOKING REF

Helen Mirren is astounding as the Israeli Prime Minister locked in crisis during the Yom Kippur War.

Golda is a ticking-clock thriller set during the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, faced with the potential of Israel’s complete destruction, must navigate overwhelming odds, a sceptical cabinet, and a complex relationship with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber), with millions of lives in the balance. Her tough leadership and compassion would ultimately decide the fate of her nation and leave her with a controversial legacy around the world.

‘Golda’ is more a suspense-filled chamber war drama and less of a biopic. Nevertheless, it delivers as a taught piece of cinema with a commanding central performance by the ever-reliable Helen Mirren.

UK/USA 2023 GUY NATTIV 100M