Conviction
Miral
Never Let Me Go
The King’s Speech
Monday 21st February 14:30 (baby friendly), 19:30
Wednesday 23rd February • 11:00 (cuppa)
Wednesday 2nd March • 11:00 (cuppa)
Monday 7th March • 19:30
Dir. Julian Schnabel / France/Italy/Israel/ India / 2010 / 1h 52m With: Hiam Abbass, Freida Pinto, Yasmine Al Masri
Dir. Mark Romanek / UK / 2010 / 1h 43m With: Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins
Wednesday 9th March 11:00 (cuppa), 19:30
Based on a first-hand account of growing up in East Jerusalem ‘Miral’ is the richly textured, deeply moving account of an intelligent young woman whose personal story is inextricably linked to the political history and social consequences of the Isreali-Palestinian conflict. Freida Pinto (who came to the world’s attention as Latika in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’) plays the central character, consigned to an orphanage as a child and brought up safely inside the Institute’s walls. Initially blind to the troubles that surround her, at the age of 17 she is assigned to teach at a refugee camp where she is awakened to the reality of her people’s struggle. As her romantic involvement with a political activist grows, Miral finds her torn between the fight for the future of her people and the belief that education is the road to peace.
The exciting prospect of a film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s (‘The Remains of the Day’) acclaimed, best-selling novel does not disappoint in the hands of screenwriter Alex Garland (who wrote the publishing phenomenon ‘The Beach’) and director Romanek (music promo director best known for his Johnny Cash/’Hurt’ video and the 2002 feature ’One Hour Photo’).
A high-class costume drama based on the intriguing case of Prince Albert (father of our Queen Elizabeth II) whose nervous stammer made for him an ordeal of royal duties. The exploration of the demands of the new era of mass communication, heralded by the arrival of radio and newsreels, lends a fascinating dramatic focus, complemented by the film’s fresh look at the abdication crisis which threatened the pre-war monarchy.
Dir. Tony Goldwyn / US / 2010 / 1h 47m With: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Melissa Leo On 12th May 1983 Kenny Waters was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on the testimony of two exgirlfriends. ‘Conviction’ is the inspirational, true story of Kenny (played by Sam Rockwell – ‘Moon’) and his sister’s unswerving belief in his innocence. Hilary Swank (‘Million Dollar Baby’) is exceptional as his sister Betty Anne, a working mother who, despite being a highschool drop-out, puts herself through school, college and law school in an 18-year quest to free her brother. Swank’s performance is matched by Minnie Driver’s fine supporting playing of her fellow law student, Abra and the trio are tipped as likely to be name-checked in this year’s Oscar buzz. Courtroom dramas, the wrongly accused and David and Goliath stories are always sure-fire ingredients of cinema drama, and director Goldwyn (who cut his teeth on TV’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ and ‘Dexter’) and screenwriter Pamela Gray demonstrate a fine grasp of classic storytelling in this compelling and moving film. “Powerful and engrossing… [‘Convicted’] packs a heavy emotional punch.” Sandra Hebron, London Film Festival
Spanning the period from the birth of the State of Israel in 1948 to the Oslo peace agreement in 1994 director Schnabel (‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’) seeks out the humanity and emotional heart at the midst of the countries’ turmoil. “A sincere and thought-provoking film… rich in compassion and drama.” Mark Adams, Screen International
Kathy (Carey Mulligan) recalls her childhood at a seemingly idyllic boarding school, growing up with her fellow-boarders: Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy. Encouraged in healthy activities, creative outlets and subject to regular medical checks the pupils live a happy if sheltered existence. As graduation to the real world looms nearer they struggle to apprehend a dark secret that hangs over their future. Deep feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal emerge against a delicate and eery sense of strangeness that permeates the action that unfolds. “A cogent, subdued parable of mortality.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Dir. Tom Hooper / UK/Australia / 2010 / 1h 50m With: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
When he is introduced to eccentric and forthright speech expert Lionel Logue (Rush - ‘Shine’), Prince Albert (Firth) reluctantly embarks with him on a course of therapy. Despite Lionel’s complete lack of regard for royal protocol, an unlikely friendship develops between the unorthodox therapist and the sceptical royal. The film delights in the warm and sympathetic performances of Firth and Rush whose consummate acting skills take centre stage, and they have strong support from an award-winning cast including Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle, Guy Pearce, Derek Jacobi and Michael Gambon. Look out also for nine-year-old Ramona Marquez from TV’s ‘Outnumbered’, as Princess Margaret. “Tom Hooper’s richly enjoyable and handsomely produced movie is a massively confident crowdpleaser.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian