sign in sign up
<<
Home , Cameo appearance, Cisco Pike, Golden Dawn Girls, Harry Dean Stanton, Joseph Mazzello, Marcello Fonte

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE 70

RHAPSODY BOHEMIAN THE SHOW MUST GO ON MUST GO THE SHOW BASED ON SARAH WATERS’ BESTSEIN NOE FROM LENNY ABRAHAMSON, ACADEMY AARD NOMINATED DIRECTOR OF ROOM

MODERATE THREAT, BLOODY IMAGES, 12A INFREQUENT STRONG LANGUAGE

IN CINEMAS SETEMBER

TLS_FILM THELITTLESTRANGERFILM #WhoIsTheLittleStranger? NEL AAILALE IN ALL G SHS © PATHÉ PRODUCTIONS LIMITED, 2018 MICHAEL JIM TOM CHARLIE PAUL CAINE BROADBENT COURTENAY COX WHITEHOUSE

CONTENTS WITH AND MICHAEL RAY CINEMAS 6 GAMBON WINSTONE MEMBERSHIP 8 WELCOME FROM THE PRODUCERS OF CURZON ON DEMAND 12 DARKEST HOUR & LEGEND CURZON SELECTOR 16 While you’ve been sunning yourselves in the English heatwave, we’ve been busy at work in the dark, upgrading most of our BERTHA DOCHOUSE 18 venues for you to enjoy this autumn. These include screen NEW RELEASES 20 refurbishments and a stylish new ground floor cafe-bar at EVENTS 42 Soho; Screen 2 at Mayfair is being transformed into a luxury cinema with greater comfort and sightlines, and Knutsford FEATURES 48 has two additional new screens, with an overhaul of the main screen in the coming weeks. September’s cool breezes in a range of Great US indies. Editor THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUE STORY OF THE HATTON GARDEN HEIST Ian Haydn Smith With his final role, radiates in the Designer charmingly offbeat Lucky, a poignant and witty meditation on IN CINEMAS Hannah Attwell old age that also stars . We mark the dramatic SEPTEMBER 14

Contributors debuts of two celebrated documentarists, with student heist With the sup- Claire Bueno | Kate Gerova | port of thriller American Animals (Bart Layton, The Imposter) and girl KingOfThieves-Movie.com KingOfThievesFilm Sam Howlett | Annemarie skateboard gang drama Skate Kitchen (Crystal Moselle, The Jacir | Philip Kemp | Lydia Penke Wolfpack). And Chloë Grace Moretz undergoes gay conversion Director of Programme therapy in The Miseducation of Cameron Post. Damian Spandley Look out for early signs that the awards season is coming with the great Glenn Close’s searing performance as the

curzon.cinemas long-suffering wife of a famous author in The Wife; and teams up with his La La Land director Damien CurzonCinemas Chazelle on the Neil Armstrong biopic First Man. Having won curzon.cinemas awards in Cannes for best human and best canine (I’m serious!) performances, Dogman serves up a powerful David versus Goliath crime drama from Italian auteur Operated by CURZON CINEMAS (Gomorrah). That film, along with Lucky, and the latest, 2nd Floor, 20-22 Stukeley Street, WC2B 5LR wonderful Agnès Varda, Faces Places, is also available at the Participant in the Europa Cinemas/ same time as their cinema release on Curzon On Demand. European Union Media Programme At the time of going to print every And mainstreamers won’t be disappointed. Marvel’s effort was made to ensure the Venom promises a dark superhero experience with a bit more information contained in this programme was correct. However, bite. And music fans can enjoy Dexter Fletcher’s Queen biopic where circumstances dictate, we Bohemian Rhapsody and ’s reimagining of reserve the right to make changes. Curzon Cinemas Limited 1934. A Star Is Born. Finally, a compelling programme is completed Registered in London: by two distinctly different perspectives on the 2011 Company no:283280. Est.1934. CURZON and CURZON CINEMAS attacks: Paul Greengrass’ 22 July (exclusive to Curzon are registered trade marks, no:2291124 and Cinemas) and Utøya - 22 July. no.2424017 Damian Spandley | Director of Programme | @damospandley

4

LONDON REGIONAL

ALDGATE CANTERBURY Goodman’s Fields, Westgate Hall Road, CT1 2BT 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS Canterbury West Aldgate East WORKING

KNUTSFORD BLOOMSBURY Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 0PE The Brunswick, WC1N 1AW Knutsford CLASS Russell Square

OXFORD HEROES Westgate Shopping Centre, MAYFAIR OX1 1NZ 38 Curzon Street, W1J 7TY Oxford Green Park

RIPON RICHMOND 75 North Street, Ripon, HG4 1DP Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1TJ Harrogate Richmond

SHEFFIELD 23 The Broadway, SW19 1RE SOHO Sheffield 99 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5DY SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER Leicester Square Castle Square BFI SOUTHBANK COLCHESTER VICTORIA Roman House, 19 Queen Street, CINEMAS | BFI SHOP | BFI REUBEN LIBRARY | CAFÉS 58 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QW Colchester, CO1 1LD Victoria Colchester ALSO SHOWING IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

BLACK AND BANNED ANIMATION 2018 THE FILMS YOU WEREN’T GOING UNDERGROUND WIMBLEDON ALLOWED TO SEE 23 The Broadway, SW19 1RE Café Bar THE GODFATHER FIERCE BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN Wimbledon Snacks Food THE UNTAMEABLE IN A 4K RESTORATION

Virtual Reality JOAN CRAWFORD Image: Carol White, Poor Cow and Ashley Walters, Boy Bullet Screen CINEMAS

SB Curzon Ad 148x210 2018-08 (Sep-Oct).indd 2 08/08/2018 16:53

CURZON MEMBERS

CURZON MEMBERS’ PREVIEWS MEMBERSHIP

LUCKY 15 To make sure you have access to exclusive members Date: Sat 8 Sept | 11:00 previews, priority event Where: Knutsford Ripon cinema booking, free tickets and much more join Curzon Date: Sun 9 Sept | 11:00 membership. And prices Where: Aldgate Bloomsbury Canterbury Colchester start from only £40. Oxford Richmond Sheffield Victoria Wimbledon Our standard member Harry Dean Stanton’s elegiac final lead performance is benefits are: pitch perfect in this lovingly crafted and occasionally salty small-town drama, which also features a great cameo 4 FREE TICKETS from David Lynch. See page 22 for synopsis. DISCOUNTED TICKETS NO BOOKING FEES DISCOUNTED FOOD + DRINK 15% OFF Faces Places, 2017 CURZON ON DEMAND PREVIEWS + PRIORITY BOOKINGS CURZON12 CURZON12 – A FREE STREAMING SERVICE FOR CURZON MEMBERS To celebrate the release of French director Agnès Varda’s wonderful Faces Places (in cinemas and on demand from AND MUCH MORE….. 21 September), Birds’ Eye View is guest-curating an online

collection of films which champion female representation. Lucky, 2017 CURZON.COM/MEMBERSHIP Members can discover the ‘Reclaim the Frame’ theme on streaming service Curzon12 for free from mid September. 12A The Reclaim the Frame project aims to grow the audience FACES PLACES for female directors, and works with influencers around the Date: Sat 15 Sept | 11:00 UK. BEV director-at-large Mia Bays says “Film is such Where: Knutsford Ripon a powerful medium, and we believe the female gaze offers Date: Sun 16 Sept | 11:00 the viewer a fresh vital perspective that is frequently Where: Aldgate Bloomsbury Colchester under-promoted and under-seen.” Richmond Victoria Wimbledon Birds’ Eye View will also be hosting special Faces Places One of cinema’s most treasured directors Agnès Varda previews and a DocDays event in September. teams up with artist-photographer JR for a delightful trip Faces Places, 2017 See page 43 for more details or through the French countryside. See page 26 for synopsis visit the Curzon cinemas website. MEMBERS

9 EXPERIENCE THE IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY TO THE MOON SAVE THE DATE! MEET THE WORLD OUR FREE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL IS RETURNING ON TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER AT: Aldgate Canterbury Colchester Oxford Sheffield

SIGN UP FOR FREE STUDENT MEMBERSHIP AND CHECK FOR EVENT UPDATES AT CURZON.COM/STUDENT IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 12

10 11

ON DEMAND

IN CINEMAS. ON DEMAND

LUCKY 14 SEPT Harry Dean Stanton (Paris, Texas, ) turns in a lovely, understated performance in this character-driven piece, which also features his friend David Lynch. It’s directed by John Carroll Lynch, who makes the most of the film’s stunning desert backdrop. ALSO ON DEMAND: FACES PLACES 21 SEPT ANCHOR AND HOPE 28 SEPT

DISCOVER

A CIAMBRA 24 SEPT Pio Amato excels in this low-key drama, set within a small Romany community in Calabria. He plays the young member On Chesil Beach, 2017 of a family who takes charge when his father is sent to prison. Reminiscent of the great Italian Neorealist dramas, it’s a penetrating and moving portrait of everyday life for a RECOMMENDED group living on the periphery of society. ON CHESIL BEACH 17 SEPT Dogman, 2018 Dominic Cooke directs Ian McEwan’s adaptation of his acclaimed . Saoirse DOGMAN Ronan and Billy Howle are excellent as the young couple Director: Matteo Garrone in 1960s Britain, whose Starring: Marcello Fonte, , Nunzia Schiano, innocence proves to be more Adamo Dionisi, Francesco Acquaroli than a burden as they begin what they hope ill be a life together. The director of Gomorrah and Tale of Tales returns with a crime drama like no other. Set in a small Italian coastal COMING SOON: town, it details the attempts by a dog parlour owner to THE RAPE OF RECY avoid a life of crime and the vengeance he enacts when his TAYLOR 3 SEPT life is torn apart. MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER 10 SEPT ENTEBBE 10 SEPT ISMAEL’S GHOSTS 24 SEPT A Ciambra, 2017 19 OCTOBER ON CURZONHOMECINEMA.COM 19 OCT ON DEMAND THE BOOKSHOP

13 “A HEIST STORY LIKE NO OTHER”TIME OUT

A FILM BY BART LAYTON DIRECTOR OF THE IMPOSTER

HHHHH HHHHH TOTAL FILM RADIO TIMES “MESMERISING” “ ” SLASH FILM HEART-POUNDING NOBODY WANTS TO BE ORDINARY THE DAILY BEAST HHHHH TIME OUT HHHHH THE LIST “ HIGHLY “A SHOT OF ENTERTAINING ” ” ADRENALINE AND TENSE AS HELL INTERVIEW MAGAZINE TOTAL FILM HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH LITTLE WHITE LIES HEY U GUYS EMPIRE FINANCIAL TIMES “JAW-DROPPING” “SENSATIONAL” FINANCIAL TIMES VARIETY

IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 7

15 “A COMPELLING TALE OF UNREQUITED LOVE & HOPE” CURZON SELECTOR JASON PALMER, ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS MEMBERS OF THE CURZON TEAM PICK THEIR FAVOURITES FROM THE UPCOMING RELEASES “ANNETTE BENING GIVES A PITCH-PERFECT PERFORMANCE” CINE VUE KING OF THIEVES TBC THE WIFE 15 “SAOIRSE RONAN IS EXQUISITE” SCREEN INTERNATIONAL The Hatton Garden robbery was the biggest What happens when, after a lifetime heist in British criminal history – an audacious sacrificing your own creative instincts at HHHH job believed to have been carried out by the altar of your partner, you wake up to NEW! consummate professionals. The truth, as is the fact that you may have made a mistake often the case, turned out to be far stranger. and life could have been so very different? What better way to detail the extraordinary This adaptation of Meg Wolitzer’s novel events that took place – in planning, execution couldn’t be any more timely and Glenn and what followed – than to cast the crème Close’s superb performance will surely of veteran of British film to play the loom large come the awards season. gang. See page 23 See page 28

FIRST MAN TBC

Neil Armstrong is a conundrum in this age of . After the initial round of publicity following his being the first man to land on the moon, he withdrew from public life, refusing almost all interviews, seeing his achievement as one shared by mankind. Damian La La Land Chazelle’s new film aims to paint an all-too-human portrait ANNETTE SAOIRSE COREY ELISABETH MARE JON MICHAEL GLENN with BILLY and BRIAN of this extraordinary individual. BENING RONAN STOLL MOSS WINNINGHAM TENNEY ZEGEN FLESHLER HOWLE DENNEHY First Man, 2018 See page 33

HALLOWEEN TBC FUNNY GIRL - THE MUSICAL 12A

Before Terminator’s Sarah Connor and Alien’s Sheridan Smith took on the role made famous Ellen Ripley there was Laurie Strode, the by Barbra Streisand and wowed audiences resilient heroine of the Halloween franchise, with a show-stopping performance. whose hometown looks set to be terrorised Featuring the classic ‘Don’t Rain on My once more by a masked Michal Myers. Directed Parade’, as well as ‘People’, ‘Who Are You by David Gordon Green (George Washington, Now?’ and ‘I’m the Greatest Star’. And with Joe, Stronger), this entry unfolds exactly four such a stunning performance as Broadway decades after the original grisly events that icon Fanny Brice, Smith shows she is every took place on All Hallows’ Eve. Prepare to be inch the star. terrified. See page 38 See page 45 IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 7 The UK’s first cinema BERTHA screen dedicated to documentaries, Bertha THE HOME OF DOCUMENTARY DOCHOUSE DocHouse is a platform AT CURZON BLOOMSBURY for powerful human stories. We screen a mix of new releases and WEAPON OF CHOICE For the first time, this documentary charts the rise classics, alongside Q&As of one of the world’s most infamous and fetishised and special events. weapons: the Glock Pistol. Join the Director Q&A on Friday 14 September, 6.30pm. Opens Friday 14 September

UNDER THE WIRE A moving portrait of acclaimed war-correspondent Marie Colvin as told by her colleague and friend, photographer Paul Conroy. Join the Director Q&A on Monday 3 September, 6.30pm. Opens Friday 7 September A THOUSAND GIRLS LIKE ME The awe-inspiring story of 23-year-old Afghan Khatera and her battle against cultural, familial, and legal pressures as she forces her father to stand trial for years of sexual abuse. Opens Friday 5 October IN PRAISE OF NOTHING Narrated in poetic rhyming verse by Iggy Pop, this satirical storytime parable for adults follows the personification of Nothing as he travels the world via crowdsourced documentary footage. Opens Friday 7 September THE SCHOOL IN THE CLOUD Discover TED Prize-winner Sugata Mitra’s pioneering ideas for education and internet-based learning, seen through the eyes of the children whose lives are being transformed by his radical approach. www.dochouse.org Opens Friday 19 October @BerthaDocHouse

“UTTERLY UNMISSABLE” TOTAL FILM THE MISEDUCATION OF “A POWERFUL LOVE LETTER CAMERON POST 15 THE SEAGULL 12A TO AN ENDURING SCREEN ICON” LITTLE WHITE LIES Director: Desiree Akhavan Director: Michael Mayer “THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME” Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Starring: Elisabeth Moss, VARIETY Jennifer Ehle, Marin Ireland, Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Sasha Lane, John Gallagher Corey Stoll, Brian Dennehy, Jr., Quinn Shephard, Owen Michael Zegen, Glenn Fleshler, ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Campbell, McCabe Slye Jon Tenney, Ben Thompson EMPIRE TIME OUT FLICKERING MYTH CINE VUE US 2018 | 90 mins US 2018 | 99 mins

Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Anton Chekhov’s acclaimed Moretz) is shipped off to a play unfolds in a beautiful Christian conversion camp country estate and revolves after she is discovered kissing around four key characters: a female friend. No sooner novelist Boris Trigorin (Corey there, she realises that Stoll), young Nina (Saoirse almost all the inductees are Ronan), fading actress Irina repressing their true feelings Arkadina (Annette Bening) and the notion of a cure is and her playwright son absurd. Desiree Akhavan’s Konstantin Tréplev (Billy 15 (Appropriate Behaviour) Howle). Michael Mayer’s DAVID LYNCH RON LIVINGSTON ED BEGLEY JR. Sundance Grand Jury winner film makes the most of the Directed by JOHN CARROLL LYNCH is an articulate and funny sumptuous country location, drama that speaks out while the cast revel in against the current tide of Chekhov’s rich language.. social conservatism in the US. OPENS: FRI 7 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 7 SEPTEMBER IN CINEMAS & ON DEMAND 14 SEPTEMBER

SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL CINEMA LISTINGS luckyfilm.co.uk #luckyfilm NEW RELEASES www.eurekavideo.co.uk Twitter:@eurekavideo Facebook: EurekaEntertainment Instagram: EurekaEntertainment NEW RELEASES NEW RELEASES

AMERICAN ANIMALS 15 LUCKY 15 THE RIDER TBC KING OF THIEVES TBC WAJIB TBC REINVENTING MARVIN TBC

Director: Bart Layton Director: John Carroll Lynch Director: Chloé Zhao Director: James Marsh Director: Annemarie Jacir Director: Anne Fontaine Starring: Evan Peters, Blake Voices: Harry Dean Stanton, Starring: Brady Jandreau, Starring: , Starring: Mohammad Bakri, Featuring: Finnegan Oldfield, Jenner, Ann Dowd, Barry David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau, Michael Gambon, Charlie Cox, Saleh Bakri, Tarik Kopty Grégory Gadebois, Isabelle Keoghan, Udo Kier, Jared Ed Begley Jr., Tom Skerritt, Cat Clifford, Terri Dawn Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone, Palestine, France, Colombia, Huppert Abrahamson Barry Shabaka Henley Pourier, Lane Scott, Tom Courtenay, Francesca Germany, UAE, Qatar, Norway France 2017 | 96 mins UK/US 2018 | 116 mins US 2017 | 88 mins Tanner Langdeau Annis, Paul Whitehouse 2017 | 96 mins French and English with + CURZON ON DEMAND US 2017 | 104 mins UK 2018 | TBC mins Arabic with English subtitles English subtitles Based on the extraordinary story of four young men who Harry Dean Stanton worked Brady Blackburn is a young How did a group of veteran It is the duty of Palestinian Shy and gentle, Marvin stands attempted to steal one of for seven decades in front rodeo star who, following cons carry out one of the men, when a female in the apart from the rougher boys the highest valued books in of the camera. In his 90th a brutal fall, is faced with most audacious and biggest family is getting married, to in his rural village. Bullied America from a university year and final leading role, never riding horseback again. heists in British criminal personally deliver invites. from within his own family, library, Bart Layton’s (The he turned in a spellbinding Chloé Zhao’s richly evocative history? Director James But for Shadi and his father, Marvin soon realises that Imposter) film features the performance as an atheist and quietly moving drama Marsh (Man on Wire, The it’s an activity fraught with another, more accepting life actual participants and facing the great unknown. makes the most of the South Theory of Everything) and simmering resentments. beckons. Anne Fontaine’s actors playing them to John Carroll Lynch’s film is Dakota landscape and draws writer Joe Penhall (The Long Real-life father and son (Coco Before Chanel) drama reconstruct the crime and witty, tender, eccentric and out stunning performances Firm, Mindhunter) detail the Mohammad and Saleh Bakri follows Marvin through to its bizarre aftermath. It’s a wise. And Stanton is every from non-professional actors genesis of the job and its are excellent in Annemarie adulthood and a life on riveting, hugely entertaining bit the legendary screen icon Brady Jandreau, his father execution, with the aid of a Jacir’s nuanced portrait of stage. It’s an affecting and thriller. that he’s always been. Tim and sister Lilly. stellar British cast.. family life in Nazareth. impressive journey..

OPENS: FRI 7 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 14 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 14 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 14 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 14 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 14 SEPTEMBER

22 23 “A SMART, SUPREMELY ENTERTAINING FILM ...UNMISSABLE” ★★★★★ THE GUARDIAN “GLENN CLOSE IS MAGNIFICENT” THE FILM STAGE ★★★★ ★★★★ EMPIRE LITTLE WHITE LIES

A FILM BY BJÖRN RUNGE

CASTING UK CASTING BY BY COSTUME HAIR AND MAKEUP PRODUCTION MUSIC DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE DESIGNER DESIGNER DESIGNER BY EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY PRODUCERS PRODUCERS SCREENPLAY BASED ON BY THE BOOK BY PRODUCED DIRECTED CO-PODUCER PRODUCERS BY BY NEW RELEASES

FACES PLACES 12A CLIMAX TBC A SIMPLE FAVOUR 15

Directors: Agnès Varda, JR Director: Gaspar Noé Director: Paul Feig Featuring: Agnès Varda, JR, Starring: Sofia Boutella, Starring: Linda Cardellini, Jeannine Carpentier, Clemens Romain Guillermic, Souheila Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Van Dungern, Marie Douvet, Yacoub, Kiddy Smile, Claude Rupert Friend, Henry Golding, Jean-Paul Beaujon, Nathalie Gajan Maull, Giselle Palmer, Eric Johnson, Jean Smart, Schleehauf Taylor Kastle, Sharleen Temple Kelly McCormack, Eric Johnson, France 2017 | 94 mins France 2018 | 95 mins Sarah Baker French with English subtitles French and English with English US 2018 | 117 mins + CURZON ON DEMAND subtitles Director Paul Feig The iconoclastic French Few directors possess the (Bridesmaids, Spy) takes filmmaker, now 90, teams up ability to shock like Gaspar a respite from comedy for with the artist-photographer Noé. Recalling his earlier this mysterious Hitchcockian JR for this journey through Enter the Void, Climax begins thriller. A chance encounter the French countryside, taking in a dance studio with a finds Stephanie (Anna huge-sized photographs of musical sequence that has Kendrick) and Emily the populace. From this thin to be seen to be believed. (Blake Lively) becoming conceit, Varda conjures up a But someone has spiked the acquaintances. And when gorgeous portrait of everyday drinks with LSD and soon Emily disappears, Stephanie life. A magical film, this is chaos descends. This is cult decides to investigate. But one of the cinematic joys cinema with its dial turned up what she uncovers might of the year... to 11 and no holds barred. put her own life at risk.

OPENS: FRI 21 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 21 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 21 SEPTEMBER

NUREYEV TBC

Directors: David Morris, Jacqui Rudolf Nureyev is regarded as the Lord of the Dance – the Morris greatest male dancer the ballet world has ever known. His Featuring: Rudolf Nureyev, artistry was beyond reproach and he was adored by fans and Marlon Dino, Grace Jabbari, peers alike. This documentary draws together interviews with Jordan Kennedy, Lucia Lacarra, those who knew and loved Nureyev, extraordinary archive Isla Malliphant, Maria Fonseca footage and recently filmed danced pieces. It’s the perfect film UK 2018 | 100 mins for fans and those less familiar with Nureyev’s genius.

ONE NIGHT ONLY 25 SEP (WITH EXCLUSIVE WEEK AT MAYFAIR FROM 21 SEP)

26 27 NEW RELEASES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE WOLFPACK “SO ALIVE THAT IT PULSES AND BREATHES” KIMBER MYERS, THE PLAYLIST “UNCOMPROMISING... RAW AND REAL” LINDA MARRIC, HEYUGUYS THE LITTLE THE HOUSE WITH A “ POWERFUL AND JOYOUS TO WATCH” STRANGER 12A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS TBC THE WIFE 15 CAITLIN QUINLAN, CINEVUE HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH Director: Lenny Abrahamson Director: Eli Roth Director: Björn Runge CINEVUE THE UPCOMING THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS HEYUGUYS Voices: Domhnall Gleeson, Starring: , Starring: Glenn Close, Ruth Wilson, Will Poulter, , Sunny Suljic, , Alix Wilton Charlotte Rampling, Kate Colleen Camp, Kyle MacLachlan, Regan, Max Irons, Christian Phillips, Anna Madeley Lorenza Izzo, Renée Elise Slater, Elizabeth McGovern, Ireland, UK, France 2018 | Goldsberry Harry Lloyd, Annie Starke 111 mins US 2018 | TBC mins , US, UK 2017 | 100 mins

In late-1940s England, a Recently orphaned Lewis Joan (Glenn Close) is the wife young doctor is called out to a Barnavelt arrives in a small of recently announced Nobel stately home he once visited Michigan town to live with his prize-winner Joe Castleman as a child. The occupants are eccentric uncle Jonathan. He (Jonathan Pryce). But she the same, but there is also a soon realises that his uncle was also once a promising malevolent presence and its is a warlock and neighbour writer and an interview with threat is increasing. Lenny Florence is a witch. Together, a journalist (Christian Slater) Abrahamson (Room) directs they work to prevent a draws out bitter resentments this sterling adaptation of sinister clock from bringing about the sacrifices she Sarah Waters’ ghost story, about the end of the world. made. Close is outstanding capturing the eeriness of a Eli Roth’s first YA film is a in this timely examination of bygone world. wicked pleasure. gender roles.

OPENS: FRI 21 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 21 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 28 SEPTEMBER

MODERN FILMS BOW AND ARROW ENTERTAINMENT AND RT FEATURES PRESENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH PULSE FILMS AND KOTVA FILMS “SKATE KITCHEN” A FILM BY CRYSTAL MOSELLE STARRING RACHELLE VINBERG DEDE LOVELACE NINA MORAN KABRINA ADAMS AJANI RUSSELL JULES LORENZO BRENN LORENZO PRODUCED EXECUTIVE COSTUME WITH ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ AND JADEN SMITH BY LIZZIE NASTRO IZABELLA TZENKOVA CRYSTAL MOSELLE JULIA NOTTINGHAM RODRIGO TEIXEIRA MICHAEL SHERMAN MATTHEW PERNICIARO PRODUCERS LOURENÇO SANT’ANNA SOPHIE MAS THOMAS BENSKI COMPOSER ASKA MATSUMIYA DESIGNER CAMILLE GARMENDIA PRODUCTION CASTING DIRECTOR OF STORY WRITTEN DIRECTED DESIGNER FLETCHER CHANCEY BY JESSICA KELLY AND REBECCA DEALY EDITOR NICO LEUNEN PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIER KIRCHNER BY CRYTAL MOSELLE BY ASLIHAN UNALDI CRYSTAL MOSELLE AND JENNIFER SILVERMAN BY CRYSTAL MOSELLE © 2017 Skate Girl Film LLC. All Rights Reserved. www.modernfilms.com/skatekitchen Modern Films ModernFilmsEnt ModernFilmsEnt

CERT TBC

MODERN FILMS BOW AND ARROW ENTERTAINMENT AND RT FEATURES PRESENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH PULSE FILMS AND KOTVA FILMS “SKATE KITCHEN” A FILM BY CRYSTAL MOSELLE STARRING RACHELLE VINBERG DEDE LOVELACE NINA MORAN PRODUCED KABRINA ADAMS AJANI RUSSELL JULES LORENZO BRENN LORENZO WITH ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ AND JADEN SMITH BY LIZZIE NASTRO IZABELLA TZENKOVA CRYSTAL MOSELLE JULIA NOTTINGHAM RODRIGO TEIXEIRA MICHAEL SHERMAN MATTHEW PERNICIARO EXECUTIVE COSTUME PRODUCTION CASTING DIRECTOR OF STORY PRODUCERS LOURENÇO SANT’ANNA SOPHIE MAS THOMAS BENSKI COMPOSER ASKA MATSUMIYA DESIGNER CAMILLE GARMENDIA DESIGNER FLETCHER CHANCEY BY JESSICA KELLY AND REBECCA DEALY EDITOR NICO LEUNEN PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIER KIRCHNER BY CRYTAL MOSELLE WRITTEN DIRECTED BY ASLIHAN UNALDI CRYSTAL MOSELLE AND JENNIFER SILVERMAN BY CRYSTAL MOSELLE © 2017 Skate Girl Film LLC. All Rights Reserved.

www.modernfilms.com/skatekitchen Modern Films ModernFilmsEnt ModernFilmsEnt IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 28

28 NEW RELEASES

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING SKATE KITCHEN 15 TO ANDRE TBC A STAR IS BORN TBC

Director: Chrystal Moselle Director: Kate Novack Director: Bradley Cooper Starring: Rachel Vinberg, Featuring: André Leon Talley, Starring: Lady Gaga, Bradley Dede Lovelace, Nina Moran, Naomi Campbell, Sean Cooper, Sam Elliott, Dave Kabrina Adams, Ajani Rus- ‘Diddy’ Combs, Divine, Tom Chappelle, Anthony Ramos, sell,Elizabeth Rodriguez, Ford, Whoopi Goldberg, Marc Bonnie Sommerville, Andrew Jaden Smith Jacobs, Karl Largerfeld Dice Clay, Michael Harney US 2018 | 100 mins US 2017 | 93 mins US 2018 | 135 mins

Following her compelling If you don’t recognise the Bradley Cooper’s directorial documentary The Wolfpack, name André Leon Talley, debut is the fourth version Crystal Moselle makes her you’ll recognise the face of this classic Hollywood feature debut with this from countless fashion tale. This time, the story is authentic account of an documentaries (Including a located at the heart of all-girl skateboarding gang cameo appearance on Sex Nashville. Cooper plays in New York. Kicking against and the City). Talley’s story country star Jackson Maine, stereotypes, the group – his journey from the Deep who is loved by his fans but prove they can hold their South to Anna Wintour’s haunted by demons. But own against any inner sanctum – is a then he meets Ally, (Lady skateboarders, but they fascinating one, as Kate Gaga, in her first major role) soon find loyalty to be the Novack’s insightful and sees in her a shot greatest challenge. documentary reveals.. at redemption.

OPENS: FRI 28 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 28 SEPTEMBER OPENS: FRI 5 OCTOBER

30 NEW RELEASES NEW RELEASES

TEHRAN TABOO TBC PRIVATE LIFE TBC BLINDSPOTTING 15 FIRST MAN TBC

Director: Ali Soozandeh Director: Tamara Jenkins Director: Carlos López Estrada Director: Damien Chazelle Voices: Farhad Abadinejad, Jasmina Ali, Rozita Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Paul Featuring: Daveed Diggs, Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Assadollahy, Alireza Bayram, Sasan Behroozian, Giamatti, Emily Robinson, Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar, Foy, Jason Clarke, Pablo Zahra Amir Ebrahimi Molly Shannon, Siobahn Fallon Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Schreiber, Christopher Abbott, Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Kyle Chandler, Ciarán Hinds, Germany, Austria 2017 | 96 mins Hogan, Kayli Carter , Desmin Persian with English subtitles Borges, Tracee Chimo Utkarsh Ambudkar Corey Stoll US 2018 | 127 mins US 2018 | 95 mins US 2018 | 138 mins The plight of women in Iran is the subject of Ali Soozandeh’s impressive and powerful Rachel (Kathryn Hahn) Acclaimed as this decade’s Teaming up with his La La rotoscope-animated feature debut. and Richard (Paul Giamatti) Do the Right Thing, albeit with Land star Ryan Gosling, Detailing the life of a sex worker, a musician are nearing middle age and the action unfolding in director Damien Chazelle and two young women, Soozandeh’s film decide to have children. Oakland as opposed to presents an intimate portrait is a damning indictment of personal and But with the biological clock Brooklyn, Carlos López of one of America’s most political freedoms, but always tempered ticking, conceiving is easier Estrada’s debut, smartly famous, yet incredibly with compassion for his characters. said than done. Enter Sadie scripted by stars Daveed private icons, Neil Armstrong. (Kayli Carter), who may just be Diggs and Rafael Casal, It details the journey up to OPENS: FRI 5 OCTOBER the answer to their paternal presents an all-too-relevant his mission to the Moon - and marital - problems. appraisal of race relations and features excellent Tamara Jenkins’s nuanced in contemporary America. performances from Gosling drama is a smart and incisive It’s a powerful portrait of and Claire Foy as Janet look at modern relationships. urban life. Armstrong. VENOM TBC JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN TBC OPENS: FRI 5 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 5 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 12 OCTOBER Director: Ruben Fleischer Director: David Kerr Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Emma Thompson, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, , Olga Kurylenko, Ben Miller, Jake Lacy, Pippa Marcella Bragio, Reid Scott, Michelle Lee Bennett-Warner, Adam James, Miranda Hennessy US 2018 | TBC mins UK, France, US 2018 | TBC mins Such is Tom Hardy’s screen persona, it would be difficult to see the star taking on He’s back and the world is once again a little the role of a conventional superhero. And less safe for it. Rowan Atkinson’s inept spy is so Venom finds him taking on the role of ordered by Emma Thompson’s head of anti-hero, as journalist Eddie Brock is secret services to track down the mastermind infected with a strange virus that takes hacker who has revealed the identities of on a life of its own. It’s a darker addition to undercover spies around the world. Cue a the Marvel superhero movie output. series of action set-pieces and heroic missions that never quite go to plan. OPENS: FRI 5 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 5 OCTOBER

32 33 CANNES TORONTO NEW YORK SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL “THE BEST FILM OF 2018 SO FAR” THE ATLANTIC

A FILM BY CHLOÉ ZHAO “ONE OF THE MOST ASTONISHING ACHIEVEMENTS OF RECENT CINEMA” THE RIDER ROGEREBERT.COM IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 14 “ABSOLUTELY STUNNING... © MMXVII THE RIDER MOVIE, LLC THERE’S NO WAY YOU’LL EVER FORGET IT” THERIDER.FILM

“AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF AMERICAN MASCULINITY” INDIEWIRE

“BREATHTAKING” HEYUGUYS

“MAJESTIC” SCREEN INTERNATIONAL

“SPECTACULAR” THE WRAP NEW RELEASES A NETFLIX FILM

BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE TBC SMALLFOOT TBC 22 JULY TBC

Director: Drew Goddard Directors: Karey Kirkpatrick, Director: Paul Greengrass Starring: , Jason Reisig Starring: Thorbjørn Harr, Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Voices: Zendaya, Channing Anders Danielsen Lie, Hang Dakota Johnson, Jeff Bridges, Tatum, Gina Rodriguez, Danny Tran, Lars Arentz-Hansen, Cailee Spaeny, Manny Jacinto, DeVito, James Corden, Yara Jon Øigarden, Anneke von THE TRUE STORY OF A DAY Mark O’Brien Shahidi, Common der Lippe US 2018 | TBC mins US 2018 | TBC mins US 2018 | 133 mins THAT STARTED LIKE ANY OTHER

It’s a rainy night and the They are rumoured to exist, This is a recounting of the El Royale, a hotel that has but there’s little more than dreadful events that took seen better days, plays host the odd sighting on snowy place in 2011, when Anders to a ragbag of dubious mountaintops. But for one Behring Breivik murdered characters. As the evening bigfoot, he believes he’s 77 young people on the wears on, intentions become actually seen a smallfoot. Norwegian island hosting clear and the chances of Playfully upending the monster a Labour Party Youth everyone surviving slim. myth, Karey Kirkpatrick and camp. Paul Greengrass A smart pastiche of film noir Jason Reisig’s animated (United 93, Captain Philips) tropes dominates this darkly feature is a colourful is a filmmaker of great funny thriller from the knockabout comedy, as Migo sensitivity, but this is creator of The Cabin in (Channing Tatum) sets out to nevertheless likely to be a the Woods. prove humans are real. profoundly unsettling film.

OPENS: FRI 12 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 12 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 12 OCTOBER TBC

IN ALL CINEMAS AND ON OCTOBER

36 NEW RELEASES

THE GUILTY 18 DOGMAN 15 HALLOWEEN TBC

Director: Gustav Möller Director: Matteo Garrone Director: David Gordon Green Starring: Jakob Cedergren, Starring: Marcello Fonte, Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Jessica Dinnage, Omar Edoardo Pesce, Nunzia Judy Greer, Virginia Gardner, Shargawi, Johan Olsen, Jacob Schiano, Adamo Dionisi, Miles Robbins, , Lohmann, Katinka Evers- Francesco Acquaroli Will Patton, Dylan Arnold, Jahnsen, Jeanette Lindbæk Italy, France 2018 | 103 mins Toby Huss, Jefferson Hall, 2018 | 85 mins Italian with English subtitles US 2018 | TBC mins Danish and English with English + CURZON ON DEMAND subtitles David Gordon Green (Joe, Marcello (Marcello Fonte) George Washington) doesn’t A demoted cop operates an owns a dog-grooming so much deliver a emergency services line. A parlour in a dingy Italian of ’s horror call comes in and it appears coastal town. Life is quiet classic as he does a smart a young woman has been until a local bruiser involves follow-up, unfolding 40 years abducted. The cop races Marcello in a heist. It goes after that fateful night, with against the clock to save her. badly and when he realises Jamie Lee Curtis returning That’s the set-up of Gustav he alone will suffer, as Laurie Strode and Nick Møller’s ruthlessly executed Marcello plots his revenge. Castle once again terrifying single-location thriller. It’s a An excellent central as a masked Michael Myers. stunning exercise in tension performance dominates Best of all, the score is and definitely not for those this drama by Gomorrah by Carpenter, as great a with high blood pressure. director Garrone. composer as he is a filmmaker.

OPENS: FRI 19 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 19 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 19 OCTOBER

38 NEW RELEASES THE SCANDINAVIAN BOX OFFICE #1 FROM THE ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR OF THE KING’S CHOICE

“POST-APOCALYPTIC DYSTOPIA WITH KAYA, A REAL-LIFE KATNISS EVERDEEN... ABSORBING AND MOVING” ORPHEE PG UTØYA TBC BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY TBC “EFFECTIVE AT A HHHH “MAKES OUR BODIES CATCH HEART-IN-MOUTH LEVEL” THE GUARDIAN UP WITH OUR HEARTS” Director: Jean Cocteau Director: Erik Poppe Director: Bryan Singer VARIETY INDIEWIRE Starring: Jean Marais, Starring: Andrea Berntzen, Starring: , Lucy Francois Perier, Maria Aleksander Holmen, Brede Boynton, , Ben Casares, Marie Dea, Fristad, Elli Rhiannon Müller Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Edouard Dermithe, Osbourne, Sorosh Sadat, Tom Hollander, Aidan Gillen, Juliette Greco Norway 2018 | 92 mins France 1949 | 95 mins Norwegian with English UK, US 2018 | TBC mins Subtitles This is a welcome re-release A biopic years in the making of Jean Cocteau’s magical Erik Poppe’s uncompromising (and completed by Dexter journey into a world between drama might be the second Fletcher after director Bryan life and death, and fantasy recent film to detail the Singer left the project), this and reality, where nothing is events that unfolded on the is one of this year’s most what it seems. Bookended island of Utøya in 2011, but in anticipated films. Rami Malek by the earlier Blood of a style it is significantly pared is impressive as Freddie, Poet and later Testament back. Here, events play out perfectly capturing the star’s of Orpheus, Cocteau’s within one single shot. The on-stage persona, while drama explores the Greek killer is off screen and the Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy and myth of Orpheus, against the action is seen from the Joseph Mazzello offer backdrop of contemporary perspective of Katja, a strong support as Bryan, Paris. 19-year-old student. Roger and John. OPENS: FRI 19 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 19 OCTOBER OPENS: FRI 26 OCTOBER UTØYA-JULY 22 CERT TBC

BASED ON TRUE EVENTS IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 26

Modern Films ModernFilmsEnt ModernFilmsEnt www.modernfilms.com/UtoyaJuly22

40

EVENTS

CURZON Q&As DOCDAYS

AMERICAN ANIMALS 15 FACES PLACES 12A + INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR BART LAYTON + PANEL DISCUSSION HOSTED BY BIRDS’ EYE VIEW Date: Tue 4 Sept | 18:15 Where: Soho Date: Mon 17 Sept | 18:30 Where: Soho Go to page 22 for synopsis. With thanks to STX Entertainment Go to page 26 for synopsis. IF.... 15 35mm SCREENING IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE OLDIE ADVISED 15 + INTERVIEW AND BOOK SIGNING WITH ACTOR DAVID WOOD CHILD OF MINE + PANEL DISCUSSION Date: Tue 11 Sept | 14:30 Where: Soho Director: Lindsay Anderson UK 1968 | 107 mins Date: Mon 8 Oct | 18:45 Where: Soho Amanda Holden will host a discussion with NUREYEV director Katie Rice and a number of the couples + INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTORS JACQUI MORRIS AND DAVID MORRIS, who appear in this moving and insightful AND THIERRY FOUQUET AND PRUE SKENE FROM THE documentary about parents who have NUREYEV FOUNDATION experienced the loss of a child before birth. Thanks to Dartmouth Films Date: Tue 25 Sept | 18:15 Where: Mayfair Child of Mine Go to page 27 for synopsis. With thanks to Piece of Magic

FACES PLACES 12A PECCADILLO PICTURES PRESENTS

+ INTERVIEW WITH AGNÈS VARDA AND JR OFFICIAL SELECTION CRITICS' WEEK OFFICIAL SELECTION EAST END HHHHH CANNES Date: Tue 13 Sept | 18:30 Where: Mayfair FILM FESTIVAL 2017 NEW INTERNATIONALIST FILM FESTIVAL 2017 Go to page 26 for synopsis. HHHH HHHH LITTLE WHITE LIES FLICKERING MYTH DOGWOOF AND VICTORIA MIRO PRESENT: "A spellbinding animated journey" KUSAMA - INFINITY PREVIEW Huffington Post + PANEL DISCUSSION Date: Thu 4 Oct | 18:30 Where: Mayfair This fascinating documentary explores the work of visionary artist Yayoi Kusama.

WAJIB 15 + INTERVIEW WITH ANNEMARIE JACIR A Film by Ali Soozandeh Date: Fri 14 Sept | 18:30 Where: Bloomsbury Director: Annemarie Jacir UK 2017 | 96 mins IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 5 Starring: Mohammad Bakri, Saleh Bakri, Tarik Kopty TEHRAN-TABOO.FILM

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK GO TO CURZON.COM EVENTS LIVE EVENTS LIVE EVENTS

2018 - 2019 SEASON NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE SPECIAL EVENTS METROPOLITAN OPERA

Where: Bloomsbury Canterbury Colchester Where: Bloomsbury Canterbury Colchester Knutsford PUCCINI’S LA BOHEME ON Funny Girl Knutsford Mayfair Oxford Richmond SYDNEY HARBOUR Mayfair Oxford Richmond Ripon Sheffield Victoria Ripon Sheffield Victoria Wimbledon Where: Oxford Ripon Victoria Wimbledon Date: Thu 13 Sept | 18:15 POLLY STENHAM’S VERDI’S There are few locations as spectacular as AIDA JULIE 15 Sydney Harbour, with the arch bridge in the Date: Sat 6 Oct | 17:55 Date: Thu 6 Sept | 19:00 background, as this production of Puccini’s Acclaimed playwright Polly Stenham classic shows. Anna Netrebko looks set to shine in her Met debut, in the (That Face) take’s on Strindberg’s powerful title role of Verdi’s magnificent epic. exploration of gender and class. Puccini’s La Boheme SAINT-SAËN’S

SHAKESPEARE’S SAMSON ET DALILA Date: Sat 20 Oct | 17:55 KING LEAR 15 This is the first production of the celebrated French Date: Thu 27 Sept | 19:00 composer’s take on the tragic Biblical love story in 20 years. One of our finest living stage actors Ian McKellen takes on Shakespeare’s displaced PUCCINI’S monarch in this critically acclaimed production. LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST Date: Sat 27 Oct | 17:55 Puccini’s opera, set during the Gold Rush, premiered at THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET the Met, under the guidance of Arturo Toscanini, in 1910. Where: Oxford Ripon Victoria FUNNY GIRL - LEHÁR’S THE MUSICAL 12A 2018 - 2019 SEASON THE MERRY WIDOW ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Date: Thu 20 Sept | 18:15 Where: Aldgate Canterbury Colchester Knutsford Mayfair Created specifically for the Australian Ballet, Oxford Richmond Ripon Where: Bloomsbury Canterbury Colchester Knutsford this version of Franz Lehár’s operetta is a Sheffield Victoria Wimbledon Mayfair Oxford Richmond Ripon Sheffield Victoria Merry Wives of Windsor, RSC charming and visually ravishing production. Date: Wed 24 Oct | 18:30 Wimbledon LISZT’S ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY This musical charting the life of Broadway star Fanny Brice MAYERLING Where: Bloomsbury Canterbury Colchester was immortalised by Barbra Date: Mon 15 Oct | 19:15 Knutsford Oxford Richmond Ripon Streisand’s performance in the Kenneth Macmillan’s production of Liszt’s ballet is a Sheffield Victoria Wimbledon 1968 film. But now, it’s the turn sumptuous, emotionally thrilling experience. of Sheridan Smith to steal the SHAKESPEARE’S WAGNER’S role. Having already played to MERRY WIVES OF WINDS0R packed West End audiences, DIE WALKÜRE Date: Wed 12 Sept | 19:00 earning awards and critical Date: Sun 28 Oct | 17:00 One of Shakespeare’s most beloved praise, this musical makes its Directed by Keith Warner and conducted by Antonio creations, John Falstaff, takes centre stage way back into cinemas for one Pappano, this revival brilliantly explores the complexity in this comedy of ill manners. The Merry Widow special evening. of Wagner’s epic undertaking.

44 45 FESTIVALS

OPEN CITY DOCFEST 2018

Date: Wed 5 Sept - Sat 9 Sept Where: Soho

BECOMING ANIMAL ADVISED 15: + Q&A WITH CO-DIRECTOR EMMA DAVIE, FOLLOWED BY DJS IN THE BAR Date: Wed 5 Sept | 18:45

H IS FOR HARRY ADVISED 15 + Q&A WITH CO-DIRECTORS EDWARD OWLES AND JAIME TAYLOR Date: Thu 6 Sept | 18:45

AMERICA ADVISED 15 + Q&A WITH DIRECTORS VIA SKYPE (TBC) Date: Fri 7 Sept | 18:45 SEE THE WORLD’S GIRLS ADVISED 18 BEST NEW FILMS. + Q&A WITH DIRECTOR HÅVARD BUSTNES FIRST. AT CURZON. Date: Sat 8 Sept | 15:15

Date: Wed 10 Oct - Sun 21 Oct THIS IS HOME: A REFUGEE STORY ADVISED 15 Where: Mayfair Soho + Q&A WITH DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA SHIVA Date: Sat 8 Sept | 18:00 The 62nd BFI London Film Festival, in association with VOICES OF THE SEA ADVISED 15 American Express, returns + Q&A WITH DIRECTOR KIM HOPKINS to Curzon this October. Date: Sun 9 Sept | 15:15 Showcasing the best new features, documentaries and short films from around the BRAZILIAN FILM FESTIVAL world, this is your opportunity to see the most inspiring, Date: Fri 21 Sept - Mon 24 Sept Where: Bloomsbury challenging and entertaining films before anyone else. We welcome this exciting celebration of films Brazil. The line-up was still being confirmed when we went to press, but more info will soon be available.

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT FESTIVALS AND UPCOMING EVENTS, GO TO CURZONCINEMAS.COM NEW EVENTS ARE ANNOUNCED ALL THE TIME. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT CURZON.COM

46

FEATURE

If The Imposter detailed how easily people about to see is a fictional account of a true accept something they desperately want story and that highlighting they’re going to to believe, American Animals feels like an witness unreliable narrators and be faced exploration of the notion of truth. What took with the fact that memory itself is unreliable place at Transylvania University in 2004 is a – we think of it as accurate but it rarely is. given. It’s the how and why that remain open Adding this layer, with audiences’ aware of it, to interpretation. in a way makes them more complicit in what I had a feeling that it might be possible to unfolds. I think we’re often curious about approach a true story in a way that hadn’t criminal life – living on the other side of that been done before cinematically; something societal line – although we would never cross that borrows from what documentary films to it because of the consequences. But with can do. They possess a specific power that this film you get to cross the line, wanting to few fiction films can match, in part because be part of this group – rooting for them, even you’re not suspending disbelief – you’re in though you know it’s going to end badly. an environment that we all inhabit and so So, yes, it is about truth and how it is you’re not forced to take a great leap into represented, or manipulated. But it is as ‘movie world’. Even with great actors starring much about the culture we live in, where in a fiction film, you’re still at one remove there is such emphasis on being somebody. THE from reality. So, by drawing on documentary, Success is now very much linked to status the emotional connection is easier to define. and how ‘known’ you are. I spoke to a I wondered if I could have my cake and journalist in Seattle recently and she told eat it. I wanted to make a strong connection me that she and her friends believe that if with these real people, so that the audience they don’t have a Wikipedia page written CURZON is constantly grounded by the reality of what’s about them by the time they hit 40, it means happening. but at the same time, I wanted that they have not been successful. So, the to find a way of exploring and exposing how idea of leaving a mark, even if it’s not for stories are fictionalised – welcoming the a particularly good thing, is crucial to the INTERVIEW audience in by accepting that what they’re self-perception of what success is.

Bart Layton talks to Curzon Magazine about breaking new ground with his thrilling true crime story American Animals

It’s a rare claim to make that a film attempts something new. But Bart Layton, the acclaimed filmmaker behind The Imposter, takes the boundary between fiction and factual to new heights with his visually and narratively daring American Animals. Detailing the 2004 attempt by four young men to steal John James Audubon’s prelapsarian portrait of America’s natural world ‘The Birds of America’ from a library in Lexington, Kentucky, Layton’s film gradually draws us into his protagonists’ fantasy world whilst also questioning the accuracy of any attempt to record real events. FEATURES

48 49 FEATURE FEATURE

Do you see American Animals as having a What about the film’s moral compass? The ‘messiness’ of the attack on the librarian suburbia. As the fantasy takes hold, we drift dialogue with a film like Sofia Coppola’s The It’s a cautionary tale. I didn’t want to push contrasts with the slickness of the first half, deeper to a movie world. The camera moves Bling Ring, albeit with the characters in that judgement, but I think it’s clear where I stand which wades through countless movie in a more controlled way, producing this film appearing to be obsessed with a more in relation to the boys. I feel that they let a references. slickness in the shooting style – all conventional idea of celebrity? very bad idea go way too far. There was We view the world through the prism of and tracks. And the colour palette changes, I’m not so sure that it’s celebrity they crave as a victim of a crime and the moment they popular culture – through the movies. And becoming glossier. We sink into movie tropes it is a desire to be different. The characters in crossed this line we’re left in no doubt that because this is a movie about being in a in the way that they sink into their fantasy. my film certainly wouldn’t talk about celebrity, what they did was not commendable in any movie, about choosing to try to inhabit a As a result, a detachment from reality occurs but more the notion of not being a passenger way. That was always clear in the script. movie over reality, so much of the boy’s for them and us, up to the point where that and allowing your life to ebb away: a fear of The manhandling of the librarian, Betty behaviour is informed by the films they watch. fantasy crashes into reality. I had this idea being average. It’s not acceptable to be Jean, is where the fantasy becomes hard They literally did go to Blockbuster and hire that when we reach the scene with Betty average any more. But most of us... Well, that’s reality and everything crashes into an every crime movie they could find to get a Jean, audiences would be saying, “Hold on, what average means. We make up the uncomfortable, raw and very real moment. sense of how to commit a crime. There’s a this isn’t the movie I signed up for”. American average. You look at these characters’ parents What I did want to do is slow down that lyric from Daniel Johnston’s ‘Life in Vain’, audiences, who can be so vocal and and they are successful, but definitely not in millisecond in which they cross that line. where he sings ‘If we were all in the movies / determined to have a good time, reacted the minds of their children at the time that It was important for Betty Jean to have Maybe we wouldn’t be so bored’. That’s significantly to that shift in tone. they carried out the crime. They are mediocre. the last word, to talk about the direct exactly the thing that they’re trying to act out. But that’s what the American Dream used to impact of their actions on her. The idea with the film was to start in a AMERICAN ANIMALS opens 7 September look like: nice house, nice car and all of that. place of relative naturalism. We see the world Go to page 42 for details of a preview through their eyes, which is one of a teenage screening of American Animals followed by wasteland of boredom and small town interview with Bart Layon.

50 51 FEATURE FEATURE BACK IN THE SADDLE A new drama quietly redefines the territory By Philip Kemp of a classic genre

Chloé Zhao’s The Rider may well be the Beijing-born Zhao shot her previous quietest, gentlest cowboy movie ever made. feature Songs My Brother Taught Me (2015) No gunplay (apart from a rabbit being shot on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South for dinner), no fistfights, not even any shouting; Dakota, using largely non-professional actors the nearest thing to violence is a friendly from the Lakota Sioux tribe. Her second feature wrestling-bout. Yet this is a film about hurt, was inspired by another member of the Lakota about loss and grief, and the pain of having tribe, Brady Jandreau, a dedicated rodeo to renounce what you do best and love most. rider who suffered a serious head injury when

he was thrown during a competition. Zhao shoots much of the action at the In the film, Brady plays himself – or ‘magic hour’, sunset or dawn, when the spare rather, a semi-fictionalised version of himself, beauty of the South Dakota landscape is at Brady Blackburn. We first meet him as he its most appealing. And by cleaving so closely discharges himself from hospital with an to reality, both with her cast and the events ugly scalp-wound and heads home where she portrays, she achieves a sense of unforced his father Wayne (played by Jandreau’s own truth rare in feature films. The plot springs father Tim) tells him to heed the doctors’ few surprises: we know almost from the start warnings that he can never ride again. that Brady will feel impelled to disregard the To Brady this feels like a death-sentence: doctors’ prohibition and get back in the training horses and riding them are all he saddle, and that this may lead to disaster. knows, and he’s achieved success and local We never get any sense that Brady is fame as a rider. A job stacking shelves in ‘acting’, since what he does seems so the Dakotamart is a sorry comedown. instinctual. And in Zhao he has a director Also in the cast are Brady’s autistic sister whose command of her craft seems equally Lilly and his close friend and fellow-rider Lane instinctive: there’s a delicacy and a quiet Scott – again, effectively playing themselves. sensuality to her work, allied to a respect for Lane, Brady’s mentor and an acclaimed her cast and their way of life. Subtle and champion, has suffered an even worse understated, The Rider holds our attention accident: he’s paraplegic and unable to speak. the way far more flamboyant movies might The scenes where Brady visits Lane in hospital struggle to do. are among the most moving in the film. THE RIDER opens 14 September

52 53 FEATURE

HAUNTED BY THE PAST Sarah Waters’ bestselling chiller makes for a By Claire Bueno successful big screen adaptation

A bestselling and critically acclaimed author, Set in the austere – both economically Sarah Waters has seen her work successfully and emotionally – landscape of rural England adapted for both the small and big screen. in 1948, The Little Stranger opens with Serial versions of Tipping the Velvet (2002), Domhnall Gleeson’s Dr Faraday called out to Fingersmith (2005) and The Night Watch the crumbling stately pile Hundreds Hall. As (2011) were produced by the BBC, while a child, Faraday had been awed by the once the ambiguity of her work allowing space for Stylistically The Little Stranger finds Affinity (2008) was made as a film for ITV. In majestic property. But now, to his dismay, he a film’s visuals to engage with both mood Abrahamson operating in a controlled way 2015, acclaimed South Korean director Park finds it in a state of severe deterioration. and narrative. As for Waters’ naturalistic use that befits the era in which the story is set. Chan-wook transformed Fingersmith into The It’s the perfect location for the traditional of dialogue, it has always made an effortless Engaging with a classic British genre, which Handmaiden. And now Lenny Abrahamson, ghost story, but also serves as a metaphor transfer from page to screen. ranges from the astringent worlds of 1940s the filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning for the country’s dwindling class system. Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden David Lean and Jack Clayton’s The Innocents Room (2015), as well as Frank (2014) and A significant shift in society, prompted by the highlighted the universality of Waters’ stories. (1961) – a stunning adaptation of Henry What Richard Did (2012), has directed an election of Clement Attlee’s Labour government Though he moved the action from Victorian James’ The Turn of the Screw – to Merchant adaptation of Waters’ unsettling post-war in 1945, witnessed widespread reforms, London (so beautifully rendered in the BBC Ivory’s period dramas, Abrahamson draws supernatural tale The Little Stranger. including plans to implement a massive social production) to 1930s Japanese-occupied out an evocative portrait of British society. housing project and the creation of a national Korea, director Park’s take on Waters’ novel As shot by Ole Bratt health service. Both feature significantly in remains faithful to both the complex structure Birkeland, the textured visuals and subtle Waters’ tale. The Ayres, who own and run of the narrative, the richness of the tones are accompanied by complex camera Hundreds Hall, find adjustment to this new character’s dialogue and the original novel’s movements in and around the country world difficult. As does Faraday, who exudes thematic concerns: the human condition house. The resulting film is an impressive the stiff upper lip attitude of an earlier era. remains the same – we all love, we all desire continuation of the tradition of cinematic Waters’ fiction is intricate in detailing and we can all be easily deceived, no matter ghost stories and another smart move by the worlds she creates, so it’s natural that where or when we live. Abrahamson’s film Abrahamson, a director as articulate as her work has proven to be an source emphasises the story’s study in emotional he is eclectic. for filmmakers. Her subtlety as a writer emasculation, caused by a combination of THE LITTLE STRANGER opens 21 September preferences inference over the concrete – societal strictures and past events. FEATURE FEATURE

After boldly pulling the rug from under the horror genre in Cabin in the Woods (2012), Drew Goddard has turned his sights on the noir-thriller with Bad Times at The El Royale. Seven strangers, including a troubled priest (Jeff Bridges), vacuum cleaner salesman (Jon Hamm), enigmatic criminal (Dakota Johnson) and cult leader (Chris Hemsworth), check-in at the eponymous hotel. Unfolding over the course of one night, trouble soon rears its head and bad times ensue. After writing for hit TV shows such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Alias and Lost, as well as co-writing Cloverfield (2008), Goddard turned his hand to directing with (1998) and the grizzled, monochrome fantasy Cabin. He delivered an inspired pastiche of the hyper-stylised Sin City (2005). of the classic teen slasher narrative and, With Bad Times at The El Royale, noir as it becomes increasingly outrageous, is once again the subject of reinvention. undermined more general conventions Goddard has cited crime fiction writers of the horror genre, gleefully toying with Dashiel Hammet and James Ellroy as audience preconceptions and expectations. influences, and the typical noir conventions By contrast, El Royale’s world is a can be seen in the film’s trailer: unscrupulous throwback to the thrillers that helped define characters with dark secrets, a mystery mid-20th century American cinema and narrative and more guns than a Mexican culture. Emerging in the early 1940s, with standoff. But with Goddard’s postmodern high points including The Maltese Falcon self-awareness and proclivity to hybridise (1941), Double Indemnity (1944), The Big genres, El Royale has more than a few Sleep (1946) and Touch of Evil (1958), noir surprises in store. Such as the secret thrillers featured high-contrast chiaroscuro corridor of one-way mirrors and the lighting, hardboiled detectives, alluring disparity between character’s professions femme fatales and sinewy narratives. and their actions. As for the colours that the After a decades-long break, noir returned in film exudes – all bold and primary – along the , with The Long Goodbye (1973) with its mischievous sense of humour, the and Chinatown (1974), the latter credited influence of David Lynch is palpable. ENJOY as the best example of neo-noir. Although Goddard wants his audience to go into definitions vary, neo-noir is essentially an the cinema thinking they have the upper updated, self-conscious approach to the -hand – both knowledge and appreciation of genre, playing with its clichés and conventions. a well-worn genre and the expectation that More recently, noir has taken on many forms. conventions will be overturned. But we may YOUR STAY Melding with other genres, it has produced be no wiser than the guests at the El Royale, a wide variety of films that includes Blade standing on the worn rugs that might As cinematic hotels go, the El Royale is anything Runner (1982), Blue Velvet (1986), Who eventually be pulled from under them. By Sam Howlett but grand Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988), L.A. BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE opens 12 October Confidential (1997) and The Big Lebowksi

56 57 FEATURE FEATURE FROM FATHER TO SON Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir discusses about the importance of family and tradition in her beautifully understated drama Wajibd

In Palestine, there is a tradition that when society – exists all over the world. In my film, it someone gets married the men of the family is Shadi’s wajib to help his father deliver the – usually father and sons – are expected to wedding invitations and it is Abu Shadi’s wajib deliver the wedding invitations. They are not to invite certain people to the wedding. In fact, posted or delivered by strangers. It is there is a lot of wajib occurring in the film. It considered disrespectful if the invitations struck me as a good way to frame a story are not personally handed to invitees. I don’t that explored a father and son relationship, know any other place that adheres to this but also life in Nazareth, looking at how a tradition as much as Northern Palestine, community interacts and how its population where my film Wajib is set. What also behaves both in public and privately. interested me, on a societal level, was the A key moment, which draws many themes need to hold onto this tradition. Particularly together, is when ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ in this historic region of Palestine – a place comes on the radio. The two of them are where traditions and people’s identities are sitting in that car and it represents everything under threat. they’ve lost. I chose the song for its nostalgia I was also interested in exploring the and for its emotion. I felt it gives us an relationship between a father and his son. understanding of Abu Shadi, this broken man I come from a family where women run the who has a past, who has a great heart and show, so I thought it would be a challenge to who wasn’t always like this. It spoke to me delve into the idea of two men who don’t have about who he once was and who he wanted a chance to say very much to each other and to be. It also says something to me about who find themselves having to spend the day isolation. Here’s this popular rock song, together. Also, on a technical level, I liked the written in a period of great hope in the challenge of being limited to the confines of a world, when young people felt empowered. car, and further limiting myself by having the That was true of Palestinians too. Since that entire film unfold over the course of one day. time, Palestinians have been cut off from The notion of Wajib – in simplest terms the world and, increasingly, from each other. it means your ‘social duty’, or the things you Something got lost. are expected to do in both your family and WAJIB opens 14 September

58 59 FEATURE

Repo Man, 1984 A LIFE IN CHARACTER

Not everyone knows his name. But they will have seen his face a thousand times. Harry Dean Stanton, who passed away last year aged 91, spent six decades in front of the camera. Lucky, his penultimate film but very much his artistic swansong, casts him in a rare lead role that ranks among his best performances. He started out in TV before progressing to supporting roles, including a fine turn in (1967), but it wasn’t until the 1970s that Dean Stanton’s career really took off. Age made him grizzled and the lines in his face added character. He was a hitchhiker in cult hit Two-Lane Blacktop (1971), and a perfect foil Lucky, 2017 to in (1972) and in The Missouri Breaks (1976). He excelled as a robber in Straight Alien, 1979 Paris Texas, 1984 Time (1978), a faux-blind preacher in John Huston’s Wise Blood (1979) and became the second victim of a rapacious monster in Alien (1979). He will likely be best known for his lead roles in Alex Cox’s cult hit Repo Man and as a lost wanderer in Wim Wender’s Paris Texas (both 1984). But it was also appearances in the most unlikely films that made Dean Stanton such a welcome presence. He added class to The Avengers (2012), was moving as Molly Ringwald’s father in (1986) and, in the final moments of his friend and regular collaborator David Lynch’s bittersweet (1999), he played the wizened and wry older brother we would all like to have. LUCKY opens 14 September

60 61 FEATURE HOW STARS ARE BORN Freddie Mercury will once again play to millions, while a classic American tale of success and failure reaches the screen for the fourth time

By Neal Baker

What makes a star? No matter which performing art it is, there is a quality to certain individuals that makes them stand out from their peers and rise to the top. Two new films offer different portraits of the rise of two singers: one is a biopic; the other an emotionally wrought drama interspersed with songs. Neither is a musical in the traditional sense, but music does define the lives of the films’ protagonists. Bohemian Rhapsody, the story of how Queen, led by their flamboyant, charismatic front-man Freddie Mercury, became one of the biggest acts in the world during the 1970s and 80s, is less a rags to riches tale than bar room to stadium. It details Mercury’s initial encounter with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor – followed later by bassist John Deacon – and his transformation into one of the rock world’s most outrageous and grandstanding performers. (In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine he described Queen as “the Cecil B. DeMille of rock and roll”.) The film has been a long time coming, with Sasha Baron Cohen and Ben Whishaw both slated to play Mercury at different points. Then, in September 2017, a still of Rami Malek (star of the TV series Mr. Robot) as Mercury was made public. With filming underway and overseen by director Bryan Singer (he was replaced during the last third of filming and the editing stage by Dexter Fletcher, who had long been developing his own Mercury/Queen project) the dream of many a Queen fan was finally a reality. It continues a long tradition Bohemian Rhapsody, 2018 of films about the British music scene that have included A Hard Day’s Night (1964), That’ll Be the Day (1973), Tommy and Flame (both 1975), Babylon (1980), Sid and Nancy (1986), 24 Hour Party People (2002), Nowhere Boy (2013) and England is Mine (2017).

62 63 FEATURE FEATURE

Leading the Way Eschewing the glamour that often accompanies cinematic representations of the underworld and lives of gangsters, Gomorra (2008) A Star is Born, 2018 depicts organised crime in the Campania region of southern Italy as a squalid world. Based on the controversial book by journalist Roberto Saviano, Garrone’s film is a brutal Across the water, one story detailing both the highs and lows and terrifying portrait of how ordinary lives of stardom has played to four different generations. A Star is Born A STAR IS BORN opens 5 Oct are destroyed by greed, corruption and was originally produced in 1937 and starred Janet Gaynor and BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY opens violence. Emphasising the all-encompassing 26 Oct Frederic March. Produced by David O. Selznick just two years before power of the gangs, the recipient of the his runaway success with Gone with the Wind, it detailed the MEET THE Grand Jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival turbulent relationship between March’s burnt-out actor and offers up a mosaic of interconnected stories. Gaynor’s rising starlet. Two decades later, it was the turn of Judy A similar structure was adopted for Tale of Garland and James Mason. (In reality, Garland’s excessive lifestyle FILMMAKER Tales (2015), the follow-up to Garrone’s saw her mirror the Mason role. Nevertheless, she is magnificent.) 2012 reality TV satire Reality. Adapting It witnessed a shift in focus from film to music, which was taken the grown-up fantasy fables of Italian poet further in Frank Pierson’s 1976 remake, which starred Barbra MATTEO GARRONE and courtier Giambattista Basile, Garrone Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. If that film occasionally tapped crafted a darkly baroque box of delights. into the country, as well as rock, scene of the era – understandable What to know Coming up considering Kristofferson’s status as one of the kings of country Matteo Garrone (b. 1968, Rome) first Dogman, which earned its star Marcello Fonte music at that time – actor Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, in came to attention in 1996 with his short the Best Actor prize at this year’s Cannes which he stars, embraces the country scene wholeheartedly. Silhouette, which become one third in the Film Festival, tells the story of a man who Like the two previous versions of A Star is Born (but excluding portmanteau film Land in Between (1996) runs a dog-grooming parlour in one of the Aashiqui 2, the Indian remake of the 1976 version, along with Nee that looked at immigrant life in modern Italy southern Italian coastline’s less salubrious Jathaga Nenundali, the 2014 Telugu remake), Coopers film profits through the eyes of Nigerian prostitutes, locations. The father of a young girl, Marcello from a female lead who has conquered the music world. In her Albanian workers and an Egyptian employee would rather the peaceful life, but is slowly first serious feature role, Lady Gaga plays Ally, a singer spotted by at an oil station. Roma Summer (2000), drawn into a crime world that has echoes Cooper’s Jackson Maine and encouraged to become the star he The Embalmer (2000) and First Love of Gomorra. More ruminative and certainly believes she can be. Like Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, Ally is shy (2004) followed. But it was his exposé of less explosive than that earlier film, Dogman offstage, but before an audience she transforms into an artist with the Neapolitan crime world that rocketed once again finds Garrone presenting his own an extraordinary vocal range and that thing – that changes with Garrone onto the international stage. unique perspective on Italian life. each individual and perhaps lies beyond any simple diagnosis – which transforms a performer into star. DOGMAN opens 19 Oct

64 65 FEATURE THE FILMS THAT MADE US

CURZON STAFF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WRITE ABOUT THE FILMS THAT INSPIRE THEM

As a film programmer, I can’t definitively ever coming close. Why did it work? There’s claim that the films of John Carpenter made Carpenter’s inspired minimalist score. You me. Other films influenced the path my life only need to watch an episode of Stranger has taken. (Credit would also have to go to Things to understand his impact on popular some other ‘Johns’ of note: John Waters, culture as a composer. Then there’s the use John Grant, Jilted John and John my cat, of the Panaglide, an early prototype of the to name but a few.) But Carpenter’s twisted Steadicam. And the stars? Donald Pleasence worlds certainly cemented my love of cult, may have been the most recognisable face at kitsch, violence and horror in cinema. And the time, but newcomer Jamie Lee Curtis was unlike many other directors, he hit the ground the real star, as the object of a killer’s desire. running. Dark Star (1974), a surfer-dude And that killer, Michael Myers, was definitely spoof of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and something new. You never really know who possibly still my favourite of his films (a film he is and what his motives are. But one with such a low-budget, you can see the thing was clear: he was the bogeyman. string holding up the space ship) was followed And he’s still out there. He’s back on our by the gloriously violent exploitation thriller screens this Halloween, along with Lee Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), an homage Curtis. David Gordon Green is directing this to and remake-of-sorts of Howard Hawks’ time, but Carpenter is composing the score. Western classic Rio Bravo. And it might just be the sequel to beat all Then Carpenter struck horror gold with prequels. This programmer is ready Halloween. It’s easy to forget the brilliance of to be made. this film because of the sequels that followed. However, theoriginal has become the HALLOWEEN opens 19 October benchmark for countless imitators, with few Lydia Penke is a Curzon Film Programmer

66