Showroom Cinema opens its doors
Much-loved independent cinema reopens this month to bring cinema-goers a fine selection of films from Sheffield Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams & the London Film Festival.
Saint Maud (2019)
As Jesus sagely noted, man shall not live by bread alone. I like to think that he was referring to cinema-goers around the country having nothing but Tenet to entertain them for weeks on end.
Thankfully, especially for lovers of comprehensible dialogue, independent cinemas are beginning to open their doors across the country. Our beloved Showroom re-opened in September with a number of measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
Not only are they showing the latest independent and visionary filmmaking from around the world, it’s also festival time on Paternoster Row. For the first time ever, the Showroom is screening a selection of films live from the London Film Festival. Sheffield Doc/Fest are hosting a number of weekends over autumn showcasing the best in new documentaries, and as Halloween draws near Celluloid Screams is back to terrify the anti-vaxxer out of you.
We’ve had a look at what’s coming up and pulled out a few recommendations for you.
On the Rocks – Opens 2 October
Since her brilliant feature debut, The Virgin Suicides, Sophia Coppola has mapped out a varied and thoughtful career. Her greatest success remains Lost in Translation. Seventeen years later, she collaborates with Bill Murray again in On the Rocks.
Swimming Out til the Sea Turns Blue – 3 October
Screening as part of Sheffield Doc/Fest’s Into the World strand, Jia Zhang-Ke’s new documentary focuses on the history of China through the eye of literature. This time the award-winning director (Ash is Purest White, Mountains May Depart, A Touch of Sin) turns his gaze closer to home.
Herself – 8 October
One of the highlights of this year’s London Film Festival tackles the twin social issues of affordable housing availability in Dublin and domestic violence. Carrying on from where Paddy Breathnach’s wonderful Rosie leaves off, Phyllida Lloyd’s film features a phenomenal central performance.
Saint Maud – 9 October - Preview with satellite Q&A
One of the best from last year’s London Film Festival finally comes to UK cinemas. Rose Glass’s scintillating, darkly comedic and intensely creepy debut is one of the best British films of the year. It screens on general release later in the month.
Undine – 12 October
Christian Petzold is one of Germany’s greatest living filmmakers, with such brilliant award-winning films as Phoenix, Transit and Barbara behind him. He returns to this year’s London Film Festival with Undine, a rather remarkable fantasy.
