<img src='' title='Event Category: Film' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Film

Capturing a year in the life of a rural, lakeside community in late 1970s Ireland, That They May Face The Rising Sun is a sensitive and beautifully realised adaptation of the last novel by John McGahern. Joe (Barry Ward) and Kate (Anna Bederke) have returned from London to live and work in a small, close-knit community in rural Ireland, close to where Joe grew up. He’s a writer, she’s an artist who retains part ownership of a London gallery.

Now embedded in a remote lakeside setting, the drama of a year in their lives and those of their neighbours unfolds through the rituals of work, play and the passing seasons. A delicate, meditative exploration of ritual, community bonds, and the question of how best to live.

Directed by Pat Collins
With Barry Ward, Anna Bederke
1hr 51mins // IRE/UK 2024

From director Rose Glass (Saint Maud) comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.

“Kristen Stewart is superb in this jaw-dropping, gruesome psychosexual thriller” Telegraph ★★★★★

Rolling Stone ★★★★ Empire ★★★★

Directed by Rose Glass
With Kristen Stewart, Katie O’Brian, Ed Harris
1hr 44 mins // US 2024

From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Bones And All), Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown, La Chimera) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.

“A thrilling, intoxicating and extravagantly sexy tennis psychodrama” Independent ★★★★★

“Smart, sexy and engaging” Little White Lies ★★★★★

Telegraph ★★★★ Guardian ★★★★

Directed by Luca Guadagnino
With Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist
2hrs 11 mins // US 2024

A British archaeologist becomes embroiled in the theft of historical Etruscan treasures across the Tuscan countryside in this 1980s-set eccentric Italian crime drama, with themes of love and loss.

“Set in 1980s Tuscany, Rohrwacher’s captivating film follows a lovelorn Englishman plundering Italy’s historical artefacts with a bizarre gang” Guardian ★★★★★

Metro ★★★★ Times ★★★★ Telegraph ★★★★

*In Italian and English
Directed by Alice Rohrwacher
With Josh O’Connor, Isabella Rosselini
2hrs 13 mins | FRA/ITA/SWZ 2024

A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, Wicked Little Letters follows two neighbours: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley).

When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women – led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) – begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.

Directed by Thea Sharrock
With Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley,
1hr 40 mins // UK 2023

An adrenaline-fueled thrill ride through a near-future fractured America balanced on the razor’s edge.

“Thrills at every turn” Telegraph ★★★★★

Empire ★★★★ Express ★★★★

Directed by Alex Garland
With Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura
1hr 49 mins // US 2024

A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, Back to Black tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, Back to Black honours Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

“Amy Winehouse biopic buoyed by extraordinary lead performance” Guardian ★★★★

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson
With Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell
2hrs // UK/US 2024

*Also screening – Saturday 4 May from 7pm, featuring Amy Winehouse tribute act Laura Jane Butler

We would love you to join us for this once a month opportunity for adult members of the community to come together for fun, camaraderie, learning, sharing food and film.

Each month in the Bonington Theatre, we will meet at 10.30am for a 2-hour exploration workshop (discussions, exercises, some role play and improvisation for those brave enough!) examining the themes, context, characters, ideas and plot of a particular film. There will be a light buffet style lunch, teas and coffees before watching the film at 1.30pm. The event should finish 3.00pm – 3.30pm depending on the length of the film.

Tuesday 30^th April – When Harry Met Sally

It is 35 years since this classic rom-com’s protagonists, Harry and Sally embarked on a platonic friendship asking so many questions about relationships, love and marriage on the way. This anniversary screening in 4K captures the essence of a time when personal connections formed without the interference of digital devices and dating apps, unscripted moments that are increasingly rare in today’s face-paced, technology-driven world. This film could remind us that love doesn’t always need to be a whirlwind and that it can be a slow, steady journey of getting to know someone and growing closer with each passing day. It might remind us that some things are truly worth the wait!

Join us to explore some of these ideas in a workshop before sharing lunch and watching the film together.

“Still a treat!” Guardian ★★★★★

Directed by Rob Reiner
With Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher
N.B. The film will finish at 3.00pm

Free tickets are now available for our latest Escapes film Seize Them! – a boisterous British comedy starring Aimee Lou Wood, Lolly Adefope and Nicola Coughlan.

Set in the Dark Ages, Queen Dagan (Wood) becomes a fugitive in her own land as her reign is toppled by a revolution led by Humble Joan (Coughlan). With a hefty bounty on her head, the Queen embarks on a quest to regain the throne with the help of Shulmay (Lolly Adefope), a castle worker with mysterious motives, and Bobik (Nick Frost), a shit shoveler who dreams of a grander life. Her new friends and wild adventures make her question the kind of Queen she wants to be.

Tickets to Seize Them! are completely free and available now through the link 🔗

Escapes, supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, offers everyone the opportunity to enjoy the big screen experience and discover independent cinema. Whether someone that rarely prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only as a special occasion, or someone who is keen to uncover new experiences, Escapes is on a mission to bring new audiences to the cinema with regular free tickets.

The inspirational true story of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel.
Vindication Swim depicts Mercedes’ upstream struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England. However, after a rival comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same feat, Mercedes is forced into battle to retain her record and her legacy.

Directed by Elliott Hasler
With Kirsten Callaghan
1hr 38 mins // UK 2024