Unfortunately this is now cancelled / postponed for the lockdown
DARK WATERS
US: 2019; Director Todd Haynes. Cast: Mark Ruffalo; Tim Robbins
An environmental thriller which is also a true story, about corporate negligence by a large chemical company (DuPont) poisoned the water of a small town over decades. The film follows the efforts of a dogged lawyer who is persuaded by the evidence, but finds it difficult to prove that DuPont knew about their negligence due to the corruption surrounding it. The insidious confidence of such a large company has a chilling effect and a feeling of helplessness pervades in the face of corruption. It is a powerful and disturbing watch.
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News and the Village Newsletter
UK; 2005; Director Julian Jarrold. Main actors: Chiwetel Ejiofor; Joel Edgerton
Charlie (Joel Edgerton) grew up with his father in the family shoe business; but on his father’s sudden death, he learns that the business is failing, mainly because its shoes are too old-fashioned. Charlie has a chance encounter with a flamboyant drag queen singer (brilliantly played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) who complains about the inadequate footwear for her work. Needless to say, the rather conservative employees of the firm are less than wildly enthusiastic. The story is about how they all struggle with this unorthodox idea – to a background of selfish manipulation by Charles’ greedy fiancée. It’s all great fun!
We are still expecting booking beforehand for the time being, but we will seriously try to accommodate those who arrive on spec – but no guarantee of change given!
More up to date information is available in the Village Newsletter
An update homage to Agatha Christie who-dunits. In a large country mansion in New England, the elderly ‘squire’ is found dead; almost all his visiting family are clear suspects. There also happens to be a detective on the scene (Daniel Craig) – but who invited him and why is he there? It is simply good entertainment, well done – and with an added touch of satire exposing social inequalities and the hypocrisies of the wealthy when under threat.
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
At their (estranged) father’s funeral, three sisters discover that they have a younger teenage half sister and they take her in. The resulting relationships lead each of them to reflect on her past – and to think about her future. It is graceful, warm and full of kindness, with small observations showing quiet joy and simple pleasures – and tender aspects of Japanese life rarely seen in films. The Times review summarised it as: ‘A gentle, lyrical, enchanting and beautifully shot film’.
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
UK 2019; Starring Kristen Scott-Thomas; Sharon Hogan
Heartfelt story of friendship and mutual support amongst the wives of servicemen who are on duty in Afghanistan. The wives get together to form a choir to raise their spirits – with the two lead characters initially at daggers drawn. But they set aside their personal differences and they all sing their hearts out, conquering difficulties simply by sticking together, culminating in a brief performance in the Albert Hall.
At the moment, we still need to ask you to book here, although if you do come on spec, we will try to fit you in. The usual donation applies; masks will still need to be worn and we will seat you socially distanced!
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
Célestine comes to a Paris orphanage to take a boy, Paul, back to her country home in the Loire valley. She works for a Count in his 17th century chateau; her gruff husband is the Count’s gamekeeper. Paul explores his new forest home and slowly makes friends with Totoche, a lone poacher, who is at loggerheads with the gamekeeper, but on friendly terms with the Count himself. Totoche helps Paul learn about the forest – and about the complexities of life. But a heavy secret hangs over the estate..…
An unashamedly old-fashioned film, realistically set in the 1920s, with a good story line and striking photography of gorgeous French woodland and wildlife.
At the moment, we would still prefer that you booked, although if you come on spec, we should be able to fit you in. The usual donation applies; masks will be expected and we will still seat you socially distanced! More information is available in Sheepscombe News.
Grandma Wong is a stubborn, strong and rather crotchety widow in her 80s. Encouraged by a fortune teller, she takes a risk at the casino. On her way home, she comes across a bag of cash that belongs to a US Chinese ‘mafia’ gang; she keeps it, so becomes a target of the gang and hires a (discount) bodyguard. Grandma finds herself in over her head, time and again, but she uses her inherent craftiness to get her out of danger. At 86, Tsai Chin (an ex-Bond girl) plays the grandma. There is something universal about a grumpy, fiercely independent old grandma who has no time for other people’s silliness – even when they are criminal! It’s basically an American film, so there is a gun fight, but no car chases.
We would still be pleased if you booked here, although you are also now welcome to come on spec. The usual donation applies; masks are still requested and we will seat you gently socially distanced!
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
This is an impressive and accomplished film. Anthony, the father, an 80 year old retired engineer, is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer’s and his daughter is slowly losing patience. He finds life disorienting and is spooked by the sudden appearance of seeming strangers in his home; events from different periods of his life seem to coexist with his experience of the “present”. Anne struggles to cope as she grieves the ‘loss’ of her father. The unusual aspect is that the film is from Anthony’s point of view, so that characters and locations shift, conveying Anthony’s confused state of mind. It’s an unbearably frustrating process for those around him. This is a seriously good film, but it is not an easy watch, partly due to Anthony Hopkins’ brilliant performance, which is devastating, harrowing but also poignant.
We would still be pleased if you booked here, although you are also welcome just to turn up. The usual donation applies; masks are still requested and we will seat you gently socially distanced!
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
Fringe cinema
Date – 28/09/2021 Doors open: 19:30 for screening at 20.00
Capernaum
CAPERNAUM
Lebanon 2018; Arabic with English subtitles; Director Nadine Labaki
12 year old Zain lives with his neglectful parents in Beirut; they can barely afford to feed themselves, trapped by their circumstances. Zain is more of a fighter and he runs away from home. On the street, he battles the hazards of shantytowns, souks, prisons and betrayals with wily, angry energy, living by his wits, but with an inner moral decency. He befriends a mother and becomes a surrogate brother to her 2 year old – in what must be one of the greatest infant performances in cinema. The storytelling has a lyricism and a humour that contrasts with the grimness of the circumstances; it is one of the best depictions of how street kids learn to survive, despite deprivation and neglect. It is angry, but with enough humour and tenderness to catch your heart.
We would still be pleased if you booked here, although you are also welcome just to turn up. The usual donation applies; masks are still requested and we will seat you gently socially distanced!
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
US 1952; Director Fred Zinnemann; Cast: Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly
Marshal Kane is about to leave town with his new bride, when he learns that a brutal killer whom he had previously sent to the gallows, has been pardoned, set free and is now on a train arriving at noon, seeking revenge. His wife urges him to leave town quickly, but Kane’s sense of duty and honour make him stay; he tries, but fails, to find help from the townsfolk. The clock, and the story, run inexorably down towards noon, the ticking suggesting both the train’s approach and the passage of time. The film manages to be about morality while avoiding sermonising; Kane’s principles stop him from running from his fears. The brilliant ending contrasts the crowd’s cowardice with Kane’s principles. It is well worth seeing again! (Incidentally, it is also an allegory of Hollywood ‘blacklisting’ and betrayals during the McCarthy era witch hunts.)
We would still be pleased if you booked here, although you are also welcome just to turn up. The usual donation applies; masks are still requested and we will seat you gently socially distanced!
More information is available in the Sheepscombe News
