War Paint – Women At War (12A)

Margy Kinmonth’s feature documentary shines a light on the trailblazing role of women war artists, on the front lines round the world, championing the female perspective on conflict through art and asking: when it’s life or death, what do women see that men don’t?  Traditionally a male domain, war art by women has been largely unrecognised. Until now…

Culture breaks the taboo, crosses borders – tells the truth to power. Artists featured include Dame Rachel Whiteread, Zhanna Kadyrova, Maggi Hambling, Assil Diab, Dame Laura Knight, Marcelle Hanselaar, Cornelia Parker, Maya Lin, Shirin Neshat and Lee Miller. An entirely female cast of contributors makes this film a unique undertaking – telling vital truths in turbulent times.

“A Must-See Documentary” Filmhounds ★★★★

Directed by Margy Kinmonth
1hr 30 mins // UK 2024

The Penguin Lessons (12A)

Starring Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, this poignant dramedy from director Peter Cattaneo (Military Wives) follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history.

Directed by Peter Cattaneo
With Steve Coogan
1hr 52 mins // UK/SPA 2024

World Ocean Day Screening: Ocean with David Attenborough (PG)

The powerful documentary takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean.

In the film the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.

Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as
never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.

95 mins including exclusive theatrical content

Twiggy (12A)

Featuring contributions from Dustin Hoffman, Paul McCartney, Charlotte Tilbury, Joanna Lumley and many more, Twiggy is an exploration of the model’s upbringing, career, relationships and everything else that has made her the woman she is today.

Directed by Sadie Frost, following her hugely successful debut feature on fashion designer Mary Quant.

Directed by Sadie Frost
1hr 33 mins // UK 2024

Escapes Preview: Mr Burton (12A)

Free tickets are now available for our latest Escapes film Mr Burton

Based on a remarkable true story, discover how the poor son of a miner became one of the greatest actors the world has ever known, with the help of an unlikely mentor.

In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, 1942, Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) lives as a wayward schoolboy, caught between the pressures of his struggling family, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. However, a new opportunity arises when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (BAFTA winner Toby Jones).

Taking Richard under his wing, the young man thrives under Philip’s strict tutelage and the guidance of kindly landlady, Ma Smith (Academy Award nominee Lesley Manville). However, as the acting world comes within Richard’s reach, the burden of his past risks holding him back forever.

Tickets to Mr Burton are completely free and available 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.

A Minecraft Movie (PG)

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures and starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, A Minecraft Movie, is the first-ever big screen, live-action adaptation of Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time.

Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers) and Dawn (Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

Guardian ★★★

Directed by Jared Hess
With Jack Black, Jason Momoa
1hr 4o mins // US 2025

Mr. Burton (12A)

Based on a remarkable true story, discover how the poor son of a miner became one of the greatest actors the world has ever known, with the help of an unlikely mentor.

In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, 1942, Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) lives as a wayward schoolboy, caught between the pressures of his struggling family, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. However, a new opportunity arises when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (BAFTA winner Toby Jones).

Taking Richard under his wing, the young man thrives thanks to Philip’s strict tutelage and the guidance of kindly landlady, Ma Smith (Academy Award nominee Lesley Manville). However, as the acting world comes within Richard’s reach, the burden of his past risks holding him back forever.

“Tender tale of Richard Burton and his teacher” ★★★★ Times

“Formative years of Richard Burton come under the microscope in an absorbing drama” ★★★★ Radio Times

Directed by Marc Evans
With Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Lesley Manville
2hrs 4 mins // UK 2024

Flying High Film Workshop- Bridget Jones

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.

10.30 – Exploration workshop examining the themes, context, characters, ideas and plot of the film as well as examining the acting styles and direction.

12.30 – A light buffet style lunch, teas and coffees

1.30 – Watching the film explored in the workshop

3.34 – End of Film

 

Thursday 20th March – Bridget Jones – Mad About the Boy 

Renée Zellweger returns to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages, a woman whose inimitable approach to life and love redefined an entire film genre.

Does Bridget’s ability to triumph, despite adversity, lead her to happiness at last through finally marrying top lawyer Mark Darcy and becoming the mother of their baby boy?

No! – in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Bridget is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark was killed on a humanitarian mission in the Sudan. She’s now a single mother to 10-year-old Billy and 6-year-old Mabel and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends, including her former lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).

Pressured by her Urban Family —Shazzer (Sally Phillips), Jude (Shirley Henderson) and Tom (James Callis), her work colleague Miranda (Sarah Solemani), her former editor Richard Finch (Neil Pearson) and her gynaecologist, Dr. Rawlings (Emma Thompson) — to forge a new path toward life and love, Bridget goes back to work and even tries out the dating apps, where she’s soon pursued by a dreamy and enthusiastic younger man (Leo Woodall).

Now juggling work, home and romance, Bridget grapples with the judgment of the perfect mums at school, worries about Billy as he struggles with the absence of his father, and engages in a series of awkward interactions with her son’s rational-to-a-fault science teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

Oscar Catch-up Screenings: Anora (18)

Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Film, Best Director (Sean Baker) and Best Actress (Mikey Madison)

“Sean Baker’s screwball Cinderella tale vaults him towards greatness” Guardian ★★★★★

“Mikey Madison blazes in this very modern Pretty Woman tale”  Telegraph ★★★★★

BBC ★★★★ Independent ★★★★

Directed by Sean Baker
With Mikey Madison, Yura Borisov
2hrs 19 mins // US 2024

The Last Showgirl (15)

When the glittering Las Vegas revue she has headlined for decades announces it will soon close, showgirl Shelly (Pamela Anderson) sets out to plan her next act. Reconciling the decisions she’s made and the life she’s built, she decides to repair her complicated relationship with her daughter (Billie Lourd). With an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song and Kiernan Shipka, The Last Showgirl is a joyous tribute to a long-gone Las Vegas – and all the women who made it glitter. Directed by Gia Coppola and featuring a Golden Globe-nominated performance from Pamela Anderson, who dazzles in the role of a lifetime, this poignant film of resilience, rhinestones and feathers is simply unmissable.

“Pamela Anderson is ‘a revelation’ in poignant Las Vegas-set drama” BBC ★★★★

Directed by Gia Coppola
With Pamela Anderson
1hr 28 mins // US 2024