IT'S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50 CARY GRANT ANGELA BASSETT MIDNIGHT COWBOY THE THIRD MAN
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SEP 2019
BFI SOUTHBANK
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
CARY GRANT
ANGELA BASSETT
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
THE THIRD MAN
TURN YOUR
PASSION INTO
EXPERTISE
At Kent we offer undergraduate, taught MA and PhD
programmes in Film.
Historical and theoretical analyses form the basis of our engagement with Film,
and our undergraduate students have the opportunity to complement these
perspectives with practical filmmaking to enhance their understanding.
Alongside our MA Film programme, we also offer a Film with Practice variation
to enable filmmakers to enhance their skills in a supportive setting, producing
a dissertation by film practice. Similarly, alongside our traditional PhD in Film,
we also offer a PhD in Film: Practice as Research, where filmmaking contributes
to a portion of the thesis.
Based in the School of Arts at Kent, our Film programmes benefit from excellent
facilities including studios, editing suites, and an extensive film collection in the
Templeman Library.
Our campus offers two cinemas: the Gulbenkian, a public cinema and theatre,
and the Lupino, a dedicated cinema for students in the School of Arts.
The high-speed train means Canterbury is less than an hour away from London,
providing convenient access to the British Film Institute, Leicester Square and
IMAX cinemas, and the British Library. We benefit from our proximity to mainland
Europe, with Eurostar access to Paris, where we also offer our taught (non-
practice) MA in Film.
Further information
01227 768896
arts@kent.ac.uk
www.kent.ac.uk/arts
THIS MONTH AT BFI SOUTHBANK
Welcome to the home of great film and TV, with a world-class library, free exhibitions and Mediatheque and plenty of food and drink
SPECIAL FILMS & EVENTS NEW RELEASES SEASONS
Dates for your cultural diary, from DVD/Blu-ray The best new cinema for you to enjoy, with plenty of screening Carefully curated collections of film
launches to festivals, film summits and more dates to choose from and TV, which showcase an influential
genre, theme or talent
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (p33)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (p39)
Pain and Glory (p8)
BOOKING DATES IN PERSON & PREVIEWS 4 REGULAR PROGRAMME
RELAXED SCREENING 27 AFRICAN ODYSSEYS, 44
PATRONS AND CHAMPIONS bfi.org.uk/whatson
MEMBER EXCLUSIVES 7 WOMAN WITH A MOVIE 45
Mon 29 Jul (from 11:30)
020 7928 3232 CAMERA, EXPERIMENTA
MEMBERS NEW RELEASES 8
11:30 – 20:30 daily PROJECTING THE ARCHIVE, 46
Tue 30 Jul (from 11:30)
In person RE-RELEASES 12 SILENT CINEMA
PUBLIC
Tue 6 Aug (from 11:30) 11:00 – 20:30 daily BFI FAMILIES 48
SEASONS
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50 14 FUTURE FILM, SENIORS 50
CARY GRANT 24 TERROR VISION, BUG, 51
JOIN TODAY FOR PRIORITY BOOKING AND DISCOUNTS: BFI.ORG.UK/JOIN
BFI COURSE
ANGELA BASSETT 30
BFI PLAYER 52
The BFI is proud to screen on film where possible, showcasing restorations BIG SCREEN CLASSICS 34
and sourcing archive prints from our partners. LIBRARY, MEDIATHEQUE 54
SPECIAL FILMS & EVENTS 38
Look out for 16mm, 35mm or 70mm in the film credits. SHOP, BFI IMAX 56
Cover: Midnight Cowboy (p13)
Talent Q&As and rare appearances,
plus a chance for you to catch the
latest film and TV before anyone else
IN PERSON & PREVIEWS
TV Preview: World on Fire + Q&A with writer Peter Bowker plus cast TBA
BBC-Mammoth Screen 2019. Lead dir Adam Smith. With Helen Hunt, Sean Bean, Lesley Manville, Jonah Hauer-King. Ep1 c.60min
World on Fire is an adrenaline-fuelled, fates of ordinary people from Britain, Join us for a Q&A and preview of
‘A STELLAR CAST emotionally gripping and resonant Poland, France, Germany and this new landmark series boasting
LEADS PETER drama, written by the award-winning
Peter Bowker (The A Word, Marvellous).
the United States as they grapple
with the effect of the war on their
a stellar cast, headed up by Helen
Hunt and Sean Bean.
BOWKER’S EPIC It charts the first year of World War everyday lives. Please check bfi.org.uk for further
WWII DRAMA’ Two, told through the intertwining guest announcements
MARCUS PRINCE,
TV PROGRAMMER TUE 3 SEP
The World on Fire (adjacent) 18:15 NFT1
book online at bfi.org.uk
Schlesinger and Hoffman on set. Image: Michael Childers
TV Preview: Temple + Q&A with writer Mark O’Rowe, exec producer Midnight Cowboy: 50th Anniversary Screening + Q&A
IN PERSON & PREVIEWS
Liza Marshall, actor Mark Strong, and further cast TBA with photographer and production assistant Michael Childers
Sky-Hera Pictures 2019. Dirs Luke Snellin, Shariff Korver, Lisa Siwe. With Mark Strong, USA 1969. Dir John Schlesinger. With Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Sylvia Miles, Brenda Vaccaro.
Carice van Houten, Daniel Mays, Tobi King Bakare. Eps 1 and 2, 80min 113min. Digital 4K. 18. A BFI release
Temple tells the story of Daniel Milton London. They’re soon joined by After a year of uncertainty when he believing that women will be falling
(Strong), a talented surgeon whose Anna (van Houten), a guilt-ridden almost decided to leave film behind, at his feet, but finds himself sharing
world is turned upside down when medical researcher whose past is Hoffman (against industry advice) a squat with his unlikely ally.
his wife contracts a terminal illness. entangled with Daniel’s, and fugitive took the role of seedy conman ‘Ratso’ Join us for a post-screening Q&A with
Yet Daniel refuses to accept the bank-robber Jamie (King Bakare). Rizzo and delivered a remarkable a legendary Hollywood photographer
cards he’s been dealt. He partners Daniel does his best to juggle this performance. Voight is equally who got up close on the film.
with the obsessive, yet surprisingly dysfunctional family as his moral impressive as naive young Texan See p12 for more screenings of
resourceful, misfit Lee (Mays) to boundaries as a husband, friend Joe Buck, who arrives in New York Midnight Cowboy
start a literal ‘underground’ clinic and doctor are challenged. Just how
in the vast network of tunnels far will he go for love?
beneath Temple tube station in
MON 9 SEP FRI 13 SEP
20:15 NFT1 18:00 NFT1
@BFI 5
KERMODE LIVE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
IN 3D Let’s talk about film... These events are exclusive to BFI Members and their guests.
Join today at bfi.org.uk/join
Mark Kermode Live in 3D at the BFI Preview: Good Posture
TRT 90min USA 2019. Dir Dolly Wells. With Grace Van
Mark Kermode Live in 3D at the Patten, Emily Mortimer, Condola Rashad,
Ebon Moss-Bachrach. 91min. Digital.
BFI is a monthly conversation Courtesy of Munro Films
between you (the audience) and one
Brooklynite Lillian (Van Patten) is
of the nation’s favourite and most
a charming but lazy young woman
respected film critics. With the help
who has just been dumped by her Member Picks
of surprise guests from the industry,
boyfriend, and is placed into the care
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
Kermode will explore, critique and For a chance to see one of your favourite films on the big screen,
of reclusive author, and family friend,
dissect movies past and present and share your choice with us at bfi.org.uk/memberpicks
Julia Price (Mortimer). To impress her
reveal his or his guests’ cinematic
cynical ex, Lillian decides to make an
guilty pleasures. Get involved by
unauthorised documentary on Julia, American Graffiti
tweeting your questions in advance USA 1973. Dir George Lucas. With Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford.
with hilarious results.
to @KermodeMovie #MK3D. 113min. Digital. 12A
Tickets £15, concs £12 (Members pay £2 less)
Tickets £20, concs £16 It’s early September 1962 in Modesto, George Lucas’ pre-Star Wars pic
(Members pay £2 less) California and Mel’s Drive-in Diner is great fun.
parking lot is the place to be.
Over one night we follow the lives of ‘A must-see classic’
a group of recent high-school leavers Robert Smith, BFI Member
who cruise in their cars and listen
Tickets £6
to rock ’n’ roll, before preparing for
the next stage in their lives.
MON 23 SEP MON 23 SEP SAT 7 SEP
18:30 NFT1 20:40 NFT1 20:45 NFT1
@BFI 7
The best new cinema for you to Pain and Glory Dolor y gloria
enjoy, with plenty of screening Spain 2019. Dir Pedro Almodóvar.
dates to choose from With Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas,
Leonardo Sbaraglia, Asier Etxeandia. 113min.
(see pull-out calendar)
Digital. EST. 15. A Pathé-Twentieth Century
Fox release
A vivid portrait of a filmmaker confronting
age-related anxieties, Almodóvar’s latest
is surely one of his most personal works
Director Salvador Mallo (Banderas at
his very best) is so preoccupied by
various physiological and psychological
ailments that he’s put his career on
hold. Then a retrospective of his work
leads him not only to remember his
past, but to contact the long-estranged
lead actor of an early seminal work...
a troubled reunion with unexpected,
fateful consequences. Almodóvar,
who also wrote the screenplay, is
NEW RELEASES
here at his most mature and reflective,
exploring the lore of desire, creativity,
addiction and memory through a single,
somewhat self-centred character.
Bold in its narrative structure,
restrained yet expressive in its
colours and compositions, and with
intense, naturalistic performances,
this is exemplary film artistry.
Geoff Andrew, Programmer-at-large
‘ED ROWE Tickets £15, concs £12 (Members pay £2 less)
DELIVERS ONE OF Seniors’ matinee + intro by Geoff
Andrew, programmer-at-large
THE BEST LEAD Wed 4 Sep 14:00 NFT3
PERFORMANCES
OF 2019 SO FAR’
PHIL ROBERTS,
BFI MARKETING MANAGER CONTINUES FROM FRI 23 AUG
Bait (p9)
book online at bfi.org.uk
Bait
UK 2019. Dir Mark Jenkin. With Edward Rowe,
Mary Woodvine, Giles King, Simon Shepherd.
89min. Digital/35mm (see pull-out calendar
for further info). 15. A BFI release
Bait, which premiered at Berlin,
is a highly original, stylistically bold
first feature from independent
writer-director Mark Jenkin
Gruff and taciturn Martin (Rowe)
is a fisherman without a boat since
his brother repurposed their father’s
vessel for tourist trips. As Martin
struggles to buy his own boat he
must also cope with family rivalry
and the influx of London money,
stag parties and holiday homes
that is displacing the locals in his
picturesque Cornish harbour village.
Summer brings simmering tensions
to a head within the community,
with tragic consequences. Stunningly
NEW RELEASES
shot on a vintage 16mm camera using
monochrome Kodak stock, Bait is
timely and poignant, yet full of
humour as it gets to the heart of a
community facing unwelcome change.
Julie Pearce, Head of Distribution and
Programme Operations
+ Travelogue (c.2min)
Footage from the BFI National Archive,
showing Cornish fishermen in the 1920s.
CONTINUES FROM FRI 30 AUG
@BFI 9
The Last Tree
UK 2019. Dir Shola Amoo. With Sam Adewunmi,
Gbemisola Ikumelo, Denise Black, Tai Golding.
99min. Digital. 15. A Picturehouse
Entertainment release
This semi-autobiographical coming-of-
age drama explores universal themes of
identity and belonging
Directed by Shola Amoo, The Last Tree
is the semi-autobiographical story
of Femi (played by young newcomer
Tai Golding), a British boy of Nigerian
heritage who, after being fostered in
rural Lincolnshire, moves to inner-city
London to live with his birth mother.
In his teens, Femi (Sam Adewunmi)
struggles with the culture and values
of his new environment. He must
decide which path to adulthood he
wants to take, and find out what it
means to be a young black man in
London during the early 00s.
NEW RELEASES
Gaylene Gould, Head of Cinema and Events
OPENS FRI 20 SEP
10 book online at bfi.org.ukDiscover your new film obsession
B O O K O N L I N E N OW
B F I .O R G .U K /25-A N D - U N D E R
Image: The Dead Don’t DieWe’ve selected these key The Third Man
classics (many newly restored) 70th Anniversary Release + intro by
for you to enjoy, with plenty of Angela Allen, Continuity Supervisor*
screening dates to choose from UK 1949. Dir Carol Reed. With Orson Welles,
(see pull-out calendar) Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard.
105min. Digital. PG. A STUDIOCANAL release
Discover why this mystery-thriller
has often been rated as the greatest
British film of all time
Writer Holly Martins (Cotten) arrives
in post-war, Allies-occupied Vienna
to meet his old friend Harry Lime
(Welles), with the promise of work.
Discovering that Lime is dead, and
warned away from Vienna on account
of his friend’s criminal activities,
Martins starts investigating the
circumstances surrounding Lime’s
demise. Graham Greene’s note-
perfect screenplay, the sound of
Anton Karas’ zither, Robert Krasker’s
expressionist photography, Reed’s
RE-RELEASES
tight direction and a charismatic
turn by the great Orson Welles make
The Third Man an unmissable piece
of cinema.
Justin Johnson, Lead Programmer
Also available on
*Intro Fri 6 Sep 18:00 NFT1
**Extended intro (30min) by Adrian
Wootton, Chief Executive Film London
Thu 12 Sep 18:10 NFT1
‘AN UNMISSABLE
PIECE OF CINEMA’
JUSTIN JOHNSON,
LEAD PROGRAMMER FROM FRI 6 SEP
The Third Man (adjacent)
book online at bfi.org.ukMidnight Cowboy
50th Anniversary Release
USA 1969. Dir John Schlesinger.
With Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Sylvia Miles,
Brenda Vaccaro. 113min. Digital 4K. 18.
A BFI release
Despite its X rating, Midnight Cowboy
won Oscars® for best film, director and
screenplay. Fifty years on, it has never
looked better
After a year of uncertainty when he
almost decided to leave film behind,
Hoffman (against industry advice)
took the role of seedy conman
‘Ratso’ Rizzo and delivered
a remarkable performance. Voight is
equally impressive as naive young
Texan Joe Buck, who arrives in New
York believing that women will be
falling at his feet, but finds himself
sharing a squat with his unlikely ally.
RE-RELEASES
Midnight Cowboy is bleak and
uncompromising, yet at its heart is
an affectionate friendship between
two drifters, set against a great John
Barry soundtrack. We celebrate the
film’s 50th anniversary with a new
digital 4K restoration.
Justin Johnson, Lead Programmer
See p5 for a special event
FROM FRI 13 SEP
@BFI 13Carefully curated collections of
film and TV, which showcase an
influential genre, theme or talent
‘THERE’S
SEASONS
SOMETHING OF
THE DIVINE IN
ANGELA BASSETT,
SOMETHING
REGAL’
JAN ASANTE,
SEASON PROGRAMMER
Angela Bassett season
(see p30)‘THIS MORNING, SHORTLY AFTER 11AM,
COMEDY STRUCK THIS LITTLE
HOUSE ON DIBLEY ROAD.
SUDDEN, VIOLENT COMEDY’
MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS
Our 50th anniversary season is crammed full of rare
and unseen treats, write season programmers Dick Fiddy
and Justin Johnson
In 1969 John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones,
Michael Palin and Graham Chapman took one small silly
walk for man, but one surreal leap for comedy when they
unleashed their brilliant sketch show, Monty Python’s Flying
Circus, on an unsuspecting British public. The iconic TV series
launched stage shows, films, numerous albums, books and
musicals, and half a century later, ripples still emanate from
that splash, with many modern-day practitioners citing the
Pythons as an influence. With programming input from the
Pythons themselves, we celebrate the ingenious sextet with
And Now for Something Completely Different + Q&A
the largest and silliest celebration of the original show and
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
with actor Carol Cleveland**
its many roots, branches and offshoots. Albatross. UK 1971. Dir Ian MacNaughton. With John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman,
Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones. 88min. Digital. PG
Made on a very low budget and + Pythonland
with the intention of introducing the BBC 1999. Dir Ralph Lee. 25min
Pythons to the American market, all Michael Palin revisits Monty Python
of the favourite early Monty Python’s filming locations.
Flying Circus sketches were filmed
without a live audience and included *Plus intro by Nancy Lewis, Monty Python’s
WANT MORE? the parrot sketch, nudge nudge, US manager, Sat 1 Sep
See p48 for a families’ screening of hell’s grannies and some great
Time Bandits, p54 for a library display on Gilliam visuals. If you don’t have
Monty Python, and p55 for a special 23 hours to re-watch all four series
Mediatheque collection then this is for you.
SUN 1 SEP SAT 7 SEP
17:30 NFT1* 15:20 NFT3**
@BFI 15Monty Python and the Holy Grail Monty Python’s Life of Brian
+ intro by actor and musician + intro by editor Julian Doyle*
Neil Innes* UK 1979. Dir Terry Jones. With John Cleese,
UK 1975. Dirs Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones. Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry
With John Cleese, Michael Palin, Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones. 94min.
Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Digital. 15
Terry Jones. 92min. Digital. 15 ‘He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very
King Arthur and his Knights of the naughty boy’: Brian Cohen spends Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
his life being mistaken for the
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
Round Table travel through medieval UK 1983. Dirs Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam. With John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman,
Britain on a mission to find a holy Messiah due to a series of coincidences Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones. 107min. Digital. 18
relic. On their way, and armed with that are seized upon by a fanatical The stages of life from birth to death approach to teaching sex education
the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, group of followers. This controversial form the basis of a series of sketches in schools, there’s something here to
they’re challenged by the Knights religious satire was unseen in various and songs brought together by a group offend just about everyone.
Who Say ‘Ni’, a three-headed foe and parts of the world (including certain of curious fish who spend their time Also available on
the lethal Rabbit of Caerbannog. UK counties) for many years, but its swimming and contemplating + The Crimson Permanent Assurance
Consistently and enduringly funny, endlessly quotable lines and irreverent philosophical issues. Whether it be Uk 1983. Dir Terry Gilliam. 16min
this is a true comedy classic. humour make it a comedy classic. the expanding Mr Creosote, a Catholic A group of accountants mutiny
+ The Quest for the Holy Grail + Away From It All family’s show-stopping song ‘Every against their bosses in favour of
Locations (on 1 and 22 Sep only. 47min) UK 1979. Dirs John Cleese, Clare Taylor. 13min Sperm is Sacred’, or a practical a pirate’s life.
Palin and Jones revisit the locations The Pythonesque extra that
used on the Holy Grail film. originally accompanied the Life of
Brian release.
SUN 1 SEP FRI 20 SEP SUN 22 SEP FRI 6 SEP MON 9 SEP SUN 22 SEP THU 19 SEP SUN 22 SEP
20:00 NFT1 20:40 NFT1* 15:00 NFT1 20:30 NFT1* 20:40 NFT2 18:00 NFT1 18:10 NFT1 20:20 NFT1
16 book online at bfi.org.ukMonty Python Live A Fish Called Wanda
at the Hollywood Bowl UK-USA 1988. Dir Charles Chrichton. With
UK 1982. Dir Terry Hughes (live footage), John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline,
Ian MacNaughton (film footage). Michael Palin. 108min. 35mm 15
With John Cleese, Michael Palin, A couple of American jewel thieves
Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, plan to cheat their cohorts after a
Terry Jones. 80min. 35mm 15
successful job, but end up involving
Filmed during their four-day run at an unwitting barrister who falls for
Jabberwocky + intro by director Terry Gilliam*
the Bowl in 1980, and released after
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
UK 1977. Dir Terry Gilliam. With Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Harry H Corbett, John Le Mesurier. Wanda, the brains of the operation.
the huge success of Life of Brian, this 101min. Digital 4K. PG This hugely enjoyable comic heist
film gives a sense of the rock-star co-written by John Cleese and
A couple of years after Holy Grail, This comic fantasy follows a young
status Python had achieved worldwide, directed by Ealing veteran Charles
and with a similar setting, Gilliam’s peasant (Palin) who reluctantly sets
with an adoring and vocal crowd Chrichton (Hue and Cry, The Lavender
first solo outing as director – out to make his fortune and confront
interacting wherever possible. Hill Mob) features great turns by all
inspired by Lewis Carroll’s poem – a huge monster called a Jabberwock
Alongside Python (and pre-Python) the leads.
utilised his visual skills and eye for – amid a land of filth and muck.
live sketches is some filmed material
detail to great effect.
from the German TV specials.
+ Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus
Germany 1972. Dir Ian Macnaughton.
Ep1 45min
A German TV exclusive.
FRI 13 SEP SUN 29 SEP TUE 17 SEP FRI 27 SEP SUN 8 SEP SUN 15 SEP
20:30 NFT3 17:15 NFT3 20:40 NFT1* 18:10 NFT2 20:15 NFT1 20:10 NFT3
@BFI 17UK Restoration Premiere: Yellowbeard
The Missionary UK-Mexico 1983. Dir Mel Damski.
Image: MGM
UK 1982. Dir Richard Loncraine. With Graham Chapman, Marty Feldman,
With Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Peter Cook, Eric Idle. 96min. Digital. 15
Trevor Howard, Denholm Elliott. 86min. After many years in jail, Yellowbeard
Digital. 15 the pirate is released and sets sail to
A missionary (Palin) returns to track down the treasure he buried
London after 10 years away and is Erik the Viking + intro by Bill Jones, son of Terry Jones* many years earlier. In pursuit is the
given a new role supporting fallen
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
UK-Sweden 1989. Dir Terry Jones. With Tim Robbins, Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt, John Cleese. British secret service, and just when
women in London’s East End, under 107min. Digital. 12A Yellowbeard thinks he’s high and dry
the patronage of Lady Ames (Smith). Erik (Robbins) renounces the more would end his evil reign, Halfdan the he’s forced to begin yet another
His methods prove to be a little unsavoury aspects of being a Viking Black (Cleese) chases our Viking hero voyage... The film boasts an incredible
unorthodox, however, which leaves warrior and sets off for Valhalla to to try and stop him. Terry Jones cast of some of the UK’s greatest
him on the wrong side of his patron lobby the gods to end Ragnarok, a writes, directs and co-stars in this comic and acting talents, including
and the Church. Michael Palin wrote series of terrible, world-shattering comic romp. Pythons Chapman, Idle and Cleese.
the script, and both he and Maggie events. Believing that Erik’s quest
Smith are a joy to watch.
Also available on
WED 4 SEP WED 18 SEP SUN 29 SEP MON 16 SEP MON 30 SEP
20:45 NFT1 20:40 NFT2* 14:40 NFT3 18:20 NFT3 20:30 NFT2
18 book online at bfi.org.ukImage: Ludwig Shammasian
DOC DOC
The Rise and Rise of Time Bandits + intro Monty Python: The Meaning of Live And Now for Something Rather
Michael Rimmer by Valerie Charlton, UK TV Gold 2014. Dirs Roger Graef, James Similar + discussion
UK 1970. Dir Kevin Billington. With Peter Cook, Supervising Model Maker* Rogan. 90min BBC Imagine 2014. Dir Jack Cocker.
Vanessa Howard, Arthur Lowe, John Cleese, UK 1981. Dir Terry Gilliam. With Craig Warnock, This candid and revealing documentary TRT 110min
Graham Chapman. 98min. 35mm 15 David Rappaport, Michael Palin, John Cleese. follows the Monty Python team as As the Pythons prepared for their
Michael Rimmer (Cook) turns up at 116min. Digital. PG they re-form and play a marathon mammoth season of gigs at the
a small advertising agency and soon A band of outlaws use time holes 10 shows at The O2 arena in London. O2 in London in 2014, Alan Yentob’s
makes a meteoric rise up a ladder to jump between different historic With unprecedented access, this Imagine series presented this
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
that knows no end. With Downing events and enroute seem to pick up observational portrait reveals the uncompromising and unsentimental
Street in his sights, his unstoppable a schoolboy named Kevin… Before humour, chaos and passion that went look at the team and their careers.
ambition sees many falling in his long they meet Robin Hood (Cleese), into creating the ‘Monty Python Live Jack Cocker’s piece provides one of
wake. Chapman and Cleese wrote Napoleon (Ian Holm), Agamemnon (mostly): One Down, Five to Go’ shows. the most telling observations of the
the script with Peter Cook and (Sean Connery), an ogre and a giant, It also includes newly found archive Python era.
Kevin Billington, and the resulting among others. With great visuals, revealing how Monty Python pioneered
comedy features appearances a witty script and an incredible cast, stadium comedy, with rare footage
from stars such as Harold Pinter, Time Bandits is great fun. from early live shows, including their
Denholm Elliott and Dennis Price. See p48 for a family screening 1973 ‘1st Farewell Tour’.
MON 23 SEP TUE 1 OCT SAT 7 SEP SAT 14 SEP FRI 27 SEP THU 5 SEP
18:20 NFT3 20:40 NFT2 13:00 NFT1* 18:20 NFT1 20:20 NFT3 18:20 NFT1
@BFI 19PYTHON INFLUENCES
The people and shows that inspired the comedy sextet
Not Only... But Also ©BBC
The Complete Monty Python’s
Flying Circus
In six sessions over one weekend
Q5 ©BBC
we’ll screen the whole of this
legendary TV series back-to-back
in a binge worthy of Mr Creosote.
It’s time for you to revisit Mr Pither’s
Cycling Tour, The Ministry of Silly Terry Gilliam Introduces Michael Palin & John Cleese’s + The Goon Show:
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
Walks, The Man with a Tape- Ernie Kovacs Pick of Python Influences Tales of Men’s Shirts
Recorder Up His Nose, The Fish- Clip compilation + discussion. TRT c.100min Q5 Thames Television 1968. Dir Joe McGrath.
Slapping Dance and (unexpectedly) Ernie Kovacs was a mercurial BBC 1969. Dir Ian MacNaughton. With Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers,
With Spike Milligan, John Bluthal. 30min Harry Secombe. 25min
The Spanish Inquisition! American comedy talent whose
Tickets £6.50 per session, brilliant, sometimes surreal, visual Q... was a surreal television comedy Both Palin and Cleese cite The Goons
day ticket £15, two-day ticket £25 gags proved to be a strong influence sketch show written by Spike Milligan as an influence. In this special
For timings see pull-out calendar, for on the young Terry Gilliam. In a and Neil Shand. Palin noted that TV version, John Cleese acted
breakdown of episodes see bfi.org.uk Milligan’s outrageous Q5 was ‘full as announcer.
timely tribute (it’s Kovacs’ centenary
year) join Gilliam as he introduces of enviably subversive ideas’ and + Not Only... But Also
a bespoke compilation featuring admitted that they ‘poached Spike’s BBC 1965. Dir Joe McGrath. With Peter Cook,
highlights from Kovacs’ career, one director, Ian MacNaughton, for Dudley Moore. 45min
that was cut tragically short due to Monty Python’. John Cleese chose the famous
his death in a road accident in 1962. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore series
as a particular influence.
SAT 14 SEP SUN 15 SEP TUE 17 SEP WED 4 SEP
STUDIO STUDIO 18:30 NFT1 18:10 NFT1
20 book online at bfi.org.ukPRE-PYTHON PICKS
Recovered footage of early appearances
How to Irritate People
At Last the 1948 Show + Q&A Pre-Python Picks
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
with actors Aimi Macdonald TRT 95min
and Tim Brooke-Taylor Join us for a bespoke compilation of
ITV 1967. Dir Ian Fordyce. With John Cleese, vintage clips featuring various Pythons
Graham Chapman, Marty Feldman, Tim in action (as performers or writers)
Brooke-Taylor, Aimi Macdonald. TRT 90min
before they came together for the
The series has now been lovingly Flying Circus. The programme will
pieced together for a BFI release, Do Not Adjust Your Set + discussion feature extracts from The Complete
and this afternoon we’ll also ITV 1968. Dir Daphne Shadwell. With Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, David Jason, and Utter History of Britain, The Frost
exclusively preview some of the Denise Coffey. TRT 110min Report, Frost on Sunday, How to Irritate
extra material that will be included, This evening we’ll screen two After the screening, a fully illustrated People and many others.
alongside two last recovered editions episodes (one newly recovered) of the panel discussion will look back at
from the series. This material has pre-Python comedy sketch show, the series and assess its importance
not previously been shown at our featuring the distinctive music of within the Monty Python canon.
popular Missing Believed Wiped events. The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
SUN 8 SEP SUN 8 SEP FRI 13 SEP
15:00 NFT1 17:40 NFT1 18:10 NFT3
@BFI 21ODDITIES AND RARITIES POST-PYTHON PICKS
We interrupt this program to annoy you and make things generally more irritating... You can’t keep a good joke down...
Henry Cleans Up
Fawlty Towers
JOINT JOINT
TICKET TICKET
Oddities and Rarities Part 1 Oddities and Rarities Part 2 Fawlty Towers + Out of the Trees
TRT c.90min TRT c.90min BBC 1975. Dirs John Howard Davies, BBC 1976. Dirs Bernard Thompson,
Everything from corporate videos to Everything from corporate videos Bob Spiers. With John Cleese, Connie Booth, Ian MacNaughton. With Graham Chapman,
Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs. 30min Maria Aitken, Simon Jones, Mark Wing-Davey.
guest spots, plus a unique chance to and public information films to guest 30min
see Michael Palin’s 8mm home movies spots, plus a unique chance to see Post-Python, John Cleese co-wrote
and delivered this legendary sitcom Graham Chapman teamed up with
on the big screen. Michael Palin’s 8mm home movies
that proved a global smash hit and Doctor Who writer Douglas Adams
+ Michael Palin’s 8mm Movies #1 on the big screen.
achieved cult status. for a comedy series that never went
This footage was shot in Jersey in + Michael Palin’s 8mm Movies #2 beyond this pilot. Simon Jones and
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
autumn 1971. ‘I had a morning off This footage was shot by Palin in + Ripping Yarns Mark Wing-Davey went on to star
and took film of the preparation for Barbados in 1978. ‘The Pythons BBC 1976. Dirs Terry Hughes, Jim Franklin,
Alan JW Bell. With Michael Palin, Terry Jones,
in Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to
a sequence in which John Cleese assembled to pull together the Charles McKeown. 30min the Galaxy.
as [highwayman] Moore holds up script of Life of Brian in the idyllic
Palin and Jones turned to boy’s-own
a passing stagecoach,’ says Palin. surroundings of Heron Bay,’ says
adventure stories for inspiration in
‘Looking back now, I realise that the Palin, ‘a house loaned to us by a
their hilarious post-Python series,
unique aspect of filming I captured friend of Eric’s. Believe it or not,
which told a different ‘ripping-good
that day was its boredom. In that way despite the glimpses of bronzed
yarn’ per episode.
it is, at least, an honest bit of footage Pythons larking about and eating
and remains almost the only movie and drinking, we achieved an awful
material of Python at work in those lot during our time there.’
early days of the TV series.’ For joint ticket offer see left
Joint ticket with Part 2 £15, concs £12
(Members pay £2 less)
SUN 15 SEP SAT 28 SEP MON 16 SEP SAT 28 SEP WED 25 SEP
15:20 NFT1 16:00 NFT1 20:45 NFT1 18:30 NFT1 18:10 NFT3
22 book online at bfi.org.ukMEZZANINE GALLERY
Displays from the BFI Archive
©Python (Monty) Pictures Ltd
FREE
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash Monty Python Explodes!
+ Q&A with actor and musician When Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Neil Innes burst on to British screens in 1969,
UK-USA 1978. Dirs Eric Idle, Gary Weis. it became a comedy phenomenon,
With Eric Idle, Neil Innes, John Halsey, catapulting its six members –
Ricky Fataar, George Harrison, Bianca Jagger. Graham Chapman, John Cleese,
76min. 12A
Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
Eric Idle’s brilliant mockumentary on Not the Nine O’Clock News at 40 + discussion and Michael Palin – to international
IT’S... MONTY PYTHON AT 50
the rise of the ‘Pre-Fab Four’ perfectly BBC 1979. Dirs Bill Wilson, Geoff Posner, Bob Spiers. With Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff stardom. This exhibition takes us
blended the worlds of Python and Rhys Jones, Pamela Stephenson. TRT 100min behind the scenes of their most
The Beatles. He was ably assisted by When Monty Python’s Flying Circus contemporary, cutting-edge show well-known works and includes
ex-Bonzo Neil Innes, whose Beatle finished, many TV pundits heralded that took pot shots at late-70s and never-before-seen working papers,
pastiche songs would become fan the death of the sketch show, as the 80s Britain – lampooning pop videos, photographs, publicity and more
favourites and stand the test of time. Python’s brilliant deconstruction of breakfast TV, punk rock and drawn from the BFI National Archive
+ Rutland Weekend Television the genre seemed to make it impossible Margaret Thatcher. Join the show’s and the Monty Python Archive.
BBC 1976. Dir Ian Keill. With Eric Idle, to launch a traditional sketch show. producer, John Lloyd, and others (tba)
Neil Innes, Henry Woolf, Gwen Taylor, However, Not the Nine O’Clock News to revisit this fondly remembered
David Battley. 30min brilliantly demonstrated this wasn’t and highly respected series.
An episode from the series that the case and delivered a fast-paced,
introduced the world to The Rutles.
FRI 20 SEP MON 30 SEP FROM FRI 13 SEP-SUN 13 OCT
18:00 NFT3 18:10 NFT1 MEZZANINE GALLERY
@BFI 23‘ARCHIE LEACH THE DROPOUT/RUNAWAY
FROM BRISTOL STUDIED MEN LIKE NOËL
COWARD AND BECAME CARY GRANT’
CARY GRANT
Cary Grant was a true one-off, a naturally gifted performer
with the ability to mix up light and dark, writes season
programmer Justin Johnson
By the 1940s, Cary Grant was fully established as one of
cinema’s biggest stars and seemed to have left Archibald
Leach and his Bristol roots behind, but his relationship
with the UK continued throughout his life. After a drop
in his box-office hit rate in the early 50s, his appearance in
To Catch a Thief re-ignited his career, which continued until
his retirement in 1966, 20 years before his death. In real
terms, his career was relatively short, but he made a
significant number of films during this period, many of
which are considered cinema classics. In the final part of
our Cary Grant season we see him excel in the comedy,
romance and thriller genres.
WANT MORE? WITH THANKS TO
See p34 for our Big Screen Classics
Generously supported by Col & Karen Needham
With thanks to Charlotte Crofts and
the Cary Comes Home Festival, BristolTALK
Shadows and Light: Once Upon a Honeymoon
Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant USA 1942. Dir Leo McCarey. With Cary Grant,
TRT 90min Ginger Rogers, Albert Dekker, Walter Slezak.
115min. 35mm PG
Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock must
An American burlesque dancer
have seemed unlikely collaborators
(Rogers) passes herself off as a
when they first met in 1939, but the
socialite and marries an Austrian
debonair comedian and the macabre
Bringing Up Baby Baron during the early stages of
‘master of suspense’ enriched each
CARY GRANT
USA 1938. Dir Howard Hawks. With Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Charles Ruggles, WWII. A journalist (Grant) tries to
other’s work immeasurably. In this
Walter Catlett. 102min. 35mm Preserved by the Museum of Modern Art, with support from charm her into giving up information
season talk, author and lecturer the Celeste Bartos Fund for Film Preservation. U on her husband, believing that he has
Mark Glancy will examine the personal
Grant plays David Huxley, For a masterclass in precision Nazi sympathies. Trapped in Poland
and professional relationship that
a palaeontologist working on comedy you should look no further, with danger surrounding them, the
resulted in four classic films:
a museum’s brontosaurus skeleton, with both leads at the top of their two must take drastic action. With
Suspicion (1941), Notorious (1946),
while Hepburn plays Susan Vance, game and clearly relishing every comic moments successfully sitting
To Catch a Thief (1955) and North by
an eccentric heiress. When their quip and move. alongside the darker drama, Once
Northwest (1959).
paths cross it’s chaos – especially Upon a Honeymoon proved a great
Tickets £6.50
with the added complication of Baby, vehicle for Grant and Rogers.
Susan’s pet leopard.
MON 2 SEP TUE 3 SEP SAT 7 SEP SAT 14 SEP THU 19 SEP
18:30 NFT3 20:30 NFT1 16:00 NFT1 20:30 NFT3 18:15 NFT3
@BFI 25Mr. Blandings Builds His I Was a Male War Bride
Dream House (aka You Can’t Sleep Here)
USA 1948. Dir HC Potter. With Cary Grant, USA-UK 1949. Dir Howard Hawks.
Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas, Reginald Denny. With Cary Grant, Ann Sheridan,
92min. 35mm U Marion Marshall, Randy Stuart.
Fed up with their small New York 105min. Digital. U
apartment, the Blandings family A French army officer (Grant)
Arsenic and Old Lace The Bishop’s Wife decide to buy a large property in meets a US Lieutenant (Sheridan)
in post-war Germany and, after
CARY GRANT
USA 1944. Dir Frank Capra. With Cary Grant, USA 1947. Dir Henry Koster. With Cary Grant, Connecticut and ditch the big city.
Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre. Loretta Young, Sara Haden, David Niven. Upon arrival, it becomes clear that initially fighting, they fall for each
117min. 35mm PG 109min. Digital. U they have spent far too much money other. But if he’s to make it to the
Newly married Mortimer Brewster David Niven plays Henry, a bishop on what could be termed a ‘fixer US he’ll need to be smuggled out by
visits his elderly aunts, only to who prays for divine intervention to upper.’ As this money pit becomes a temporarily joining the women’s
discover that these sweet women are find the money for his new cathedral. liability, they’re forced to consider core, and dressing accordingly.
harbouring a terrible secret; they He receives it in the form of Dudley whether they were right to follow Grant may have been an unlikely
murder lonely gentlemen in the belief (Grant), who claims to be an angel their hearts... Frenchman, but yet again he
that they’re ending their suffering. that’s looking to help him out. proved himself a genius in the realm
Grant was unhappy with his Despite Dudley’s popularity, Henry of physical comedy and versatility.
performance, but it’s delightfully doesn’t warm to him and is envious
overplayed as things go from bad to of his bond with the parish – and his
worse in Frank Capra’s dark comedy, ever-distant wife. Henry Koster’s
now considered a stone-cold classic. fantasy-comedy is an amusing treat.
SUN 15 SEP TUE 17 SEP THU 5 SEP MON 30 SEP FRI 13 SEP SUN 22 SEP SAT 7 SEP SUN 15 SEP TUE 1 OCT
17:40 NFT1 20:35 NFT3 20:30 NFT2 18:00 NFT3 20:45 NFT2 15:40 NFT2 18:10 NFT3 15:50 NFT3 20:45 NFT1
26 book online at bfi.org.ukMonkey Business An Affair to Remember
USA 1952. Dir Howard Hawks. With Cary Grant, USA 1957. Dir Leo McCarey.
Ginger Rogers, Charles Coburn, With Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr,
Marilyn Monroe. 97min. Digital. U Richard Denning, Neva Patterson.
Dr Fulton (Grant) is a scientist working 114min. Digital. U
on a rejuvenating elixir that gets mixed Despite having ‘significant others’,
into the water cooler by one of the social-climber Nickie (Grant) and
lab’s test monkeys. Reverting to his nightclub singer Terry (Kerr) meet on
board a cruise ship and fall in love,
CARY GRANT
younger self, he plays truant and
spends time with his co-worker promising to meet again six months
(Monroe). When Fulton’s wife (Rogers) later at the top of the Empire State
also partakes, mayhem ensues. This Building in New York. But at the
was the last film Grant and Hawks agreed time, only one of them shows
collaborated on, concluding a hugely up... Grant and Kerr are both superb
successful partnership. To Catch a Thief in this enjoyable tear-jerking
Relaxed Screening USA 1955. Dir Alfred Hitchcock. With Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis,
romance with more than a hint
Mon 9 Sep 14:00 NFT3. Tickets £3 John Williams. 106min. Digital. PG of comedy.
Relaxed screenings are presented A string of jewel heists on the a wealthy tourist (Kelly) along the
each month for those in the French Riviera leads the police to way. Hitchcock persuaded Grant –
neuro-diverse community and their believe that retired cat-burglar John who was reconsidering his future in
carers and assistants. More detailed Robie (Grant) is up to his old tricks. film – to take the role, and it proved
information can be found at This pushes him to search for the a masterstroke for director and
bfi.org.uk/relaxed real thief, accidentally falling for actor alike.
THU 12 SEP TUE 24 SEP SAT 14 SEP MON 2 SEP FRI 20 SEP FRI 27 SEP SUN 29 SEP SAT 14 SEP WED 25 SEP SAT 28 SEP
20:50 NFT1 20:40 NFT3 16:10 NFT1 20:50 NFT1 18:20 NFT1 14:30 NFT3 15:00 NFT2 13:30 NFT2 20:40 NFT1 15:20 NFT2
@BFI 27Indiscreet Houseboat North by Northwest Charade
UK-USA 1958. Dir Stanley Donen. USA 1958. Dir Melville Shavelson. USA 1959. Dir Alfred Hitchcock. USA 1963. Dir Stanley Donen.
With Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Cecil Parker, With Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Martha Hyer, With Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, With Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn,
Phyllis Calvert. 99min. Digital. PG Harry Guardino. 110min. 35mm U James Mason, Martin Landau. 136min. Walter Matthau, James Coburn. 113min.
A successful London-based theatre A widower with three children resists Digital. PG Digital. PG
actress, who’s decided that her the offer of help from his wealthy In a case of mistaken identity, an Returning from holiday to discover
relationship days are behind her, falls in-laws and tries to raise them on advertising executive is kidnapped, that her apartment has been cleared
for an American banker who tells her his own – with some help from almost killed and then chased across out and her husband killed, Regina
the US. When he’s wrongly suspected Lampert (Hepburn) finds herself on
CARY GRANT
he’s married but separated. As their a sophisticated Italian nanny (Loren)
romance develops, it becomes clear who, like him, has no domestic skills. of murder the police join the search the run from several men who believe
that he’s holding back more than he’s The original script was written by for him too. Hitchcock’s final she’s hiding a fortune. She meets
letting on. After their success in Grant’s wife Betsy Drake, who was collaboration with Grant contains a charming American (Grant) who
Notorious, Bergman and Grant were also due to star, but their relationship some of the most iconic scenes in initially helps her, but can she really
reunited for this glossy rom-com, broke down as he was having an the history of Hollywood cinema trust him? Grant was nominated
which made great early use of affair with Loren, and the script was and deftly moves between genres, for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for
split screen. drastically re-written. with Grant excelling throughout. this role, yet only made two more
See p48 for a families screening This thrilling film is essential films after Charade.
big-screen viewing. Also available on
Also available on
SUN 1 SEP TUE 10 SEP FRI 27 SEP SUN 8 SEP SAT 21 SEP FRI 27 SEP
13:15 NFT3 20:15 NFT3 18:00 NFT1 13:20 NFT2 18:00 STUDIO 20:45 NFT1
SUN 1 SEP SAT 21 SEP SAT 28 SEP SUN 15 SEP SAT 28 SEP MON 30 SEP TUE 1 OCT
17:50 STUDIO 16:00 NFT3 20:45 NFT1 13:40 NFT3 18:00 NFT3 20:20 NFT1 18:20 NFT1
28 book online at bfi.org.uk‘IF I’M FRUSTRATED, I JUST DO BETTER. I COME MORE PREPARED, I COME MORE PASSIONATE’ ANGELA BASSETT Join us this month as we celebrate the great Angela Bassett and showcase her best work, invites season programmer Jan Asante Bassett is one of the most captivating screen stars of her generation, with an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, traversing every genre from intimate indie drama (Boyz n the Hood) to heart-stopping musical biopic (What’s Love Got to Do with It) to dystopian, action-fuelled thriller (Strange Days). Bassett’s regal presence and undeniable versatility have come to define her signature star power, and she’s firmly established herself as an iconic leading lady. An electrifying character actor, director and producer, she’s also seen as one of the finest and most beloved artists to have emerged from the early 90s wave of new American cinema. WANT MORE? See p45 for Woman with a Movie Camera
Strange Days
TALK
Trailblazer: Boyz n the Hood Malcolm X What’s Love Got to Do with It
The Rise of Angela Bassett USA 1991. Dir John Singleton. USA-Japan 1992. Dir Spike Lee. USA 1993. Dir Brian Gibson.
TRT 90min With Cuba Gooding Jr, Laurence Fishburne, With Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, With Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne,
Angela Bassett, Regina King. 112min. Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee. 202min. 35mm 15 RaéVen Kelly. 118min. Digital. 18
This conversation to launch our Digital. 15 Slain civil-rights leader Malcolm X is The extraordinary true-life tale of
season will celebrate the trailblazing This landmark debut by the late strikingly immortalised in Spike Lee’s rock music legend Tina Turner’s
career of the African-American actor, John Singleton signalled a new wave panoramic biopic, tracing his tumultuous rise to fame against all
producer and director, and will of 90s urban drama, delivering remarkable transformation from odds reunites Boyz n the Hood co-stars
consider where her iconic status sits breakthrough roles for Cuba Gooding Jr,
ANGELA BASSETT
incarcerated juvenile felon to globally- Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.
within the current politics of cinema, Angela Bassett and Ice Cube. renowned religious statesman. The pair sizzle on screen in Oscar®-
stardom and representation. Join us When young Tre (Gooding Jr) is sent Denzel Washington delivers an nominated performances, as the
for an exhilarating exploration of the to live with his strict disciplinarian electrifying performance as the 1960s musical duo Ike and Tina,
substance, style and star power of father Furious Styles (Fishburne), he charismatic and controversial embroiled in a passionate, volatile
Angela Bassett, hosted by season must reckon with the complexities of minister, while co-star Angela and violent marital union.
programmer Jan Asante of THINK masculinity, violence and gentrification Bassett brings understated,
Cinematic, with featured insights in inner-city Los Angeles. stoic elegance to her portrayal of
from special guests.
his devoted wife, Dr Betty Shabazz.
Tickets £6.50
Also available on
TUE 3 SEP SUN 1 SEP SUN 29 SEP SAT 7 SEP SUN 15 SEP THU 12 SEP TUE 1 OCT
18:20 NFT3 20:10 NFT2 20:10 NFT2 19:15 NFT2 18:30 NFT2 20:40 NFT3 18:00 NFT3
@BFI 31Panther Waiting to Exhale
USA-UK 1995. Dir Mario Van Peebles. USA 1995. Dir Forest Whitaker.
With Marcus Chong, Kadeem Hardison, With Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston,
Courtney B Vance, Angela Bassett. Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon. 123min.
124min. Digital. 15 35mm 15
Panther revisits the history behind With an all-star cast including
a seminal 1960s political movement; Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett,
Strange Days the Black Panther Party for Self- Oscar®-winner Forest Whitaker’s
Defense were hailed as heroes by directorial debut – adapted from the
ANGELA BASSETT
USA 1995. Dir Kathryn Bigelow. With Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis. 145min.
Digital. 18 many, yet hunted by the FBI as best-selling novel by Terry McMillan
Conflicted ex-policeman Lenny Nero maze of virtual reality, sexual taboo, enemies of the state. Mario Van – marked a landmark moment in
(Fiennes) becomes an underworld police corruption and an escalating Peebles, son of 1970s radical black, female-centred 90s cinema.
technology outlaw, driven by his race-war that threatens to ignite the filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, Savannah (Houston), Bernadine
polarising allegiance to the women streets of Los Angeles on the eve of adapted his father’s novel for the (Bassett), Robin (Rochon) and Gloria
in his life (Bassett and Lewis). the new millennium. screen, spotlighting co-founders (Devine) find solidarity in the bonds
Director Kathryn Bigelow’s provocative Huey P Newton (Chong) and Bobby of friendship, but will the search for
sci-fi spirals deep into a murderous Seale (Vance). love evade them all?
SAT 21 SEP SAT 28 SEP THU 19 SEP SUN 22 SEP SAT 21 SEP FRI 27 SEP
17:30 NFT2 20:10 NFT3 20:30 NFT2 17:30 NFT3 20:30 NFT2 20:30 NFT2
32 book online at bfi.org.ukSunshine State Chi-Raq
USA 2002. Dir John Sayles. USA 2015. Dir Spike Lee. With Nick Cannon,
With Angela Bassett, Edie Falco, Teyonah Parris, Angela Bassett,
Timothy Hutton, Cullen Douglas. Samuel L Jackson, John Cusack.
141min. 35mm 15 127min. Digital. 15
When out-of-town real estate Director Spike Lee invokes the ancient
developers descend upon the sleepy Greek comedy Lysistrata in this
How Stella Got Her Groove Back coastal enclave of Delrona Beach, provocative musical intervention on
Florida, the allure of big money warfare in the streets of Southside
ANGELA BASSETT
USA 1998. Dir Kevin Rodney Sullivan. With Angela Bassett, Whoopi Goldberg, Regina King,
Taye Diggs. 124min. 35mm 15 weighs precariously against the Chicago. When an innocent child
When high-flying 40-something Pleasure and panic prevail as Stella daunting prospect of irreversible falls victim to a stray bullet, Lysistrata
stockbroker Stella (Bassett) and her reconciles her impeccably structured change and the dismantling of (Paris) challenges the values of
rebellious friend Delilah (Goldberg) corporate lifestyle and motherhood, community. Angela Bassett, boyfriend Chi-Raq (Cannon), inspiring
take a lavish trip to Jamaica, with her passionate desire for her Edie Falco and Timothy Hutton neighbourhood women to stage a
an unlikely suitor, in the form of free-spirited, younger lover. anchor a powerful ensemble cast in sex-strike, and sparking a movement
dashing young islander Winston John Sayles’ quietly contemplative protesting racial injustice and
Shakespeare (Diggs), sweeps indie drama. violence in America.
Stella off her feet. Also available on
TUE 3 SEP SUN 8 SEP WED 25 SEP MON 30 SEP SAT 28 SEP SUN 29 SEP TUE 1 OCT
20:40 NFT3 17:30 NFT3 20:30 NFT2 20:15 NFT3 17:50 NFT2 17:20 NFT2 20:30 NFT3
@BFI 33The timeless films we urge you
to see (for just £8), programmed
by theme
BIG SCREEN CLASSICS
TURMOIL!
This month, as in August, The Green Ray Le Rayon vert The Bridges of Madison County Suddenly, Last Summer
our daily screenings of + intro by Geoff Andrew, USA 1995. Dir Clint Eastwood. + intro by Simon McCallum,
Programmer-at-large* With Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, BFI National Archive Curator*
classic movies centre France 1986. Dir Eric Rohmer.
Annie Corley. 135min. Digital. 12A
USA-UK 1959. Dir Joseph L Mankiewicz.
on emotional and With Marie Rivière, Vincent Gauthier, Carita, Eastwood’s marvellously sensitive With Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn,
yet understated adaptation of Robert
psychological turmoil: on Béatrice Romand. 98min. Digital. EST. 12A
James Waller’s novel depicts, slowly
Montgomery Clift, Mercedes McCambridge.
114min. Digital 4K. 15
Refusing to spend her August holidays
people undergoing crises in Paris, Delphine (Rivière) samples but surely, the deepening of feelings Scripted by Gore Vidal and Tennessee
of confusion, fear, grief, a range of summer destinations, but harboured by Francesca (Streep), Williams from the latter’s play, this
crippling uncertainty or whether she’s alone or with friends, a hitherto happily married woman sees Clift as a promising young doctor
none satisfies... Rohmer’s indecisive living in the Iowa farmlands, and observing a disturbed young woman
turbulent painful passion. protagonist suffers confusion, Robert (Eastwood), a photographer who’s seemingly traumatised after
The cinema, which can frustration and loneliness, yet still visiting the region. What first seems the death of her cousin, and whose
range from miniaturist dreams of finding happiness. a harmless flirtation turns into a aunt believes she should undergo
romance of enormous emotional brain surgery. Set in 30s New Orleans,
subtlety to heady Completely improvised (though it
turbulence and results in one of the Suddenly, Last Summer is a heady brew
doesn’t look it), the film is a quiet
expressionism (think miracle of realist observation, great weepies of the modern era. that reflects the psychological
The Green Ray and The philosophical reflection and profoundly turmoil of the hospitalised patient.
Night of the Hunter), was affecting human compassion.
Also available on
surely made for exploring
such extremes.
GEOFF ANDREW,
PROGRAMMER-AT-LARGE
WED 4 SEP MON 23 SEP FRI 27 SEP SUN 1 SEP SAT 7 SEP WED 18 SEP SAT 28 SEP
Tickets for these screenings are only £8 18:15 NFT2* 20:45 NFT3 18:15 NFT3 15:00 STUDIO 20:20 NFT3 18:10 NFT1* 15:15 NFT3
book online at bfi.org.ukLust for Life A Farewell to Arms
USA 1956. Dir Vincente Minnelli. USA 1932. Dir Frank Borzage.
With Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, With Gary Cooper, Helen Hayes,
James Donald, Pamela Brown. 122min. Adolphe Menjou, Mary Philips. 90min.
Digital. PG Digital. PG
It’s unsurprising that many movies Frank Borzage’s version of Hemingway’s
have been made about Van Gogh – story about a womanising American
for many the epitome of tormented, La Vérité The Truth WWI ambulance driver (Cooper) who
creative genius. One of the first and unexpectedly falls madly in love with
BIG SCREEN CLASSICS
France-Italy 1960. Dir Henri-Georges Clouzot. With Brigitte Bardot, Sami Frey, Charles Vanel,
finest of these films, John Houseman’s Paul Meurisse. 130min. Digital 4K. EST an English nurse (Hayes) is one of the
prestige production remains impressive Brigitte Bardot gives her finest Structured as an investigation into most sublime romances in cinema.
for the robust performances performance as Dominique, a young the events that led to Dominique’s The three leads are superb (Menjou
(especially Douglas’ Vincent and woman who flees a suffocatingly trial for murder, the recently restored plays the American’s jealous, fatally
Quinn’s Gauguin), and for Minnelli’s strict provincial home for the film is – characteristically for Clouzot meddling friend), Charles Lang’s
focus on the paintings; their vibrant liberated late-50s lifestyle of Paris’ – a cool, beady-eyed dissection of camerawork is astonishing in its
colours are beautifully matched by artsy Left Bank. overheated passions, callous cruelty painterly precision, and Borzage’s
Freddie Young and Russell Harlan’s and moral confusion. commitment to the power of love total.
lustrous cinematography.
FRI 6 SEP FRI 13 SEP THU 26 SEP THU 5 SEP MON 9 SEP THU 19 SEP MON 2 SEP SUN 15 SEP TUE 24 SEP
20:40 NFT3 18:15 NFT2 20:30 STUDIO 20:25 STUDIO 18:00 NFT2 14:30 NFT3 20:50 STUDIO 18:10 NFT3 14:30 NFT3
@BFI 35Summer with Monika Miller’s Crossing
Sommaren med Monika USA 1990. Dir Joel Coen. With Gabriel Byrne,
Sweden 1953. Dir Ingmar Bergman. Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden,
With Harriet Andersson, Lars Ekborg, John Turturro. 115min. Digital. 18
John Harryson. 97min. Digital. EST. PG Revisiting the crimeworld of Dashiell
This landmark in Bergman’s career Hammett, the Coens’ labyrinthine
focuses on the passionate but tale of Prohibition warfare focuses on
blighted affair of two teenagers in The Chase a middle-man (Byrne) trying to keep
BIG SCREEN CLASSICS
early 1950s Stockholm: Monika is such USA 1966. Dir Arthur Penn. With Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, EG Marshall, the peace between two gang bosses
a free spirit that, notwithstanding Robert Duvall. 133min. Digital. 15 while navigating his own devious path
their idyllic holiday in the archipelago, When an escaped convict (Redford) characters neatly together, while through the battlefield for reasons
the more routinely pragmatic Harry seeks refuge in his Texan hometown, Penn handles the escalating hysteria best known to himself. Announcing
feels he can’t keep up with her. all manner of prejudices, rivalries and violence with expertise. itself as a meditation on ‘friendship,
Refusing to judge Monika, the and hatreds arise among those who The matchless cast also includes character, ethics’, the film glories in
writer-director simply observes her know him – and those who don’t... James Fox, Angie Dickinson, loyalty and treachery, secrets and
revelling in youthful sensuality and Lillian Hellman’s adaptation of Miriam Hopkins and Janice Rule. lies, complexity and chaos.
a lust for life. Horton Foote’s play ties the many
THU 12 SEP FRI 20 SEP MON 30 SEP SUN 8 SEP MON 16 SEP SAT 21 SEP TUE 10 SEP SUN 22 SEP
18:40 STUDIO 20:30 STUDIO 18:20 NFT2 14:50 NFT3 18:00 NFT2 20:20 STUDIO 20:45 STUDIO 20:15 NFT2
36 book online at bfi.org.ukThe Trial Le procès The Night of the Hunter
France-Italy-West Germany 1962. + intro by Geoff Andrew,
Dir Orson Welles. With Anthony Perkins, Programmer-at-large*
Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau,
Romy Schneider. 119min. Digital. PG USA 1955. Dir Charles Laughton.
With Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish,
Welles’ dazzlingly inventive Shelley Winters, Billy Chapin. 92min.
re-imagining of Kafka’s novel has Digital. 12A
The Hurt Locker Perkins perfectly cast as the neurotic, Charles Laughton’s only film as director
guilt-ridden Josef K, feebly defending
BIG SCREEN CLASSICS
USA 2008. Dir Kathryn Bigelow. With Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, is an idiosyncratic masterpiece,
Guy Pearce. 131min. 35mm 15 himself against charges that remain drawing on expressionist horror,
Kathryn Bigelow’s riveting, rightly Tense, taut and meticulously frustratingly vague and seemingly Biblical parable and American
acclaimed drama about the experiences mounted, the film excels in depicting insuperable. The bravura mise-en- pastoral to relate the story of two
of the various members of a US the psychological and emotional scène, making nightmarishly vivid Depression-era children targeted
bomb-disarmament squad during havoc wreaked by the soldiers’ work. use of epic locations, suggests it’s not by a murderous rogue preacher
the war in Iraq benefits from a fine Also available on just the hapless protagonist who’s in (Mitchum, utterly remarkable).
script by Mark Boal, based on his turmoil, but the world itself. A darkly Stanley Cortez’s stunning
observations as a journalist embedded brilliant, scarily witty vision of cinematography captures the
in the American forces in 2004. apocalyptic entropy. strange, dreamlike atmosphere
of Davis Grubb’s novel, while the
performances have the forthright
simplicity and power of myth.
TUE 17 SEP SUN 29 SEP SAT 28 SEP TUE 1 OCT SAT 14 SEP WED 25 SEP
18:00 NFT3 19:50 NFT3 20:30 NFT2 18:10 NFT2 20:50 NFT2 18:20 NFT1*
@BFI 37You can also read
