Films showing in the 2008 - 2009 season.

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
In 1996 the editor of ELLE (France) was largely paralysed by a stroke. Painter turned director Schnabel creates an inventive, dazzling film that explores the invalid’s condition and earlier career, adding dreams and memories. Deeply moving but above all imaginative and inspiring.

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GAMES OF LOVE AND CHANCE
This banlieu (housing projects) movie examines the feelings of teenagers rehearsing an eighteenth - century drama. The class relations in Marivaux’s play turn into racial issues in contemporary Paris. Kechiche’s close-up style and a non-professional cast won 4 Césars in 2005.
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THE DARJEELING Ltd.
Three good actors in three-well written roles stuck with each other in a cramped an uncomfortable train carriage. With more than a little baggage....
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THE COUNTERFEITERS
Karl Markovics makes a stunning anti-hero in this gripping Holocaust film based on a real-life memoir: skilled prisoners are granted privileges for turning out fake Allied currency. Sensationalism and sentimentality are avoided, a study of unwelcome choices made in terrible circumstances.
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THIS MAN MUST DIE
A compelling psychological thriller from Claude Chabrol the dissector of the French bourgeoisie. The protagonist seeks to avenge his young son killed by a hit-and-run driver. Watch out for the remarkable restaurant scene.
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JINDABYNE
Four fishermen encounter a dead girl and delay reporting the discovery for three days. Result: racial and gender issues arise ensuring that Jindabyne is no longer “a tidy town”.
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JUNO
The smart, witty script follows Juno’s teenage pregnancy as she seeks to find parents for her unborn child. Ellen Page is excellent but don’t ignore Michael Cera as the almost accidental father - to -be . Abortion v. adoption? As critic Chris Cabin says, some films are simply about finding the right cheese for your macaroni.
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HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
In Mike Leigh’s latest, London is almost as bright as his central character, the incurably optimistic infant teacher Poppy who dresses like an accident in a paint factory. A joyful movie notably good on female friendship.
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THE AXE (LE COUPERET)
Bruno, an executive, having encountered hard times, spots a logical if morally unacceptable way of landing another job. . . . . Costa-Gavras (Z, MISSING) is less overtly political in this controversial thriller  generated by middle-aged desperation. Line up fans of dark comedy !
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PERSEPOLIS
The graphic novels of Iranian writer Marjane Satrapi turned into a gorgeous black and white animated film, a personal journey through childhood and adolescence against a background of political upheavals. Rich, unique and full of amusement .
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FINEST HOUR
To celebrate the centenary (2007) of Humphrey Jennings’ birth, a collection comprising four films made by one of Britain’s greatest documentary film-makers: SPARE TIME 1939, WORDS FOR BATTLE 1941, LISTEN TO BRITAIN 1942 , and THE SILENT VILLAGE 1943.
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I FOR INDIA
Also H for HOME as National Film School graduate Sandhya Suri draws on her father’s Super 8 home movies of life in Darlington made for his relatives back in India. Poignant and engaging, Suri’s movie touches on family, race and immigration.
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THE ORPHANAGE
Or “Fear and Trembling in the old Gothic Mansion”. Produced by Del Toro (PAN’S LABYRINTH ), this is a powerful psychological thriller -- and a superior ghost story. Expect scary children, slamming doors, eery caves and a spooky, black-clad medium.
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THE LAST MISTRESS
An intelligent costume drama (set in 1835) with an elegant surface given a painter’s light; meanwhile the narrative explores intrigues and obsession. Less scandalous than Catherine Breillat’s earlier films but still bold and subversive.
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ASHES AND DIAMONDS
Andej Wajda focuses on the rubble of war, his barren landscapes symbolizing the broken spirits of the inhabitants, though the hero suggests rather a brooding existentialism. Wajda’s style which includes Wellesian lighting effects is baroque and spectacular.
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EL VIOLIN
Legendary Mexican musician Don Angel Tavira imposes gravity and authority as an ingenious street violinist using music to advance the cause of displaced peasants .The violent opening scenes (not repeated) give way to a cat-and-mouse thriller which combines poetry with neo-realism

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