The Portobello Film Festival starts on Wednesday August 28th at the Louise T Blouin Gallery. The evening features the world premiere of Anarchist, Phil Strongman's Malcolm McLaren biopic.
The festival runs from 28 August to 15 September at various venues and all events are FREE.
28 Aug - 1 Sept: Louise T Blouin Institute, 3 Olaf Street, London W11 4BE
29 Aug - 15 Sept: Portobello Pop Up Cinema, 3 Acklam Road, W10 5TY
30 Aug - 15 Sep: Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, W10 5JJ
3 Sept - 15 Sept: The Muse, 269 Portobello Road, W11 1LR
11 Sept - 13 Sept The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AW
The full Portobello Film Festival programme is availble as a downloadable pdf here:
http://www.portobellofilmfestival.com/2013/programme2013.pdf
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
19 October 2011
Duke Vin & The Birth Of Ska - 27th October
Duke Vin & The Birth Of Ska is showing for FREE on Thursday 27th October at the Peckham Plex Cinema. This is a film I've mentioned a few times on this blog. It has only had limited distribution, so each time it's shown in London I feel it worth pointing out. First released in 2008, I saw it myself at The Portobello Film Festival in 2009, and have to say it is well worth watching. An excellent slice of history, telling the story of Duke Vin - an important figure in the world of Jamaican music in the UK.
Directed by Gus Berger, the film is a documentary of 55 minutes in length, which features interviews with Duke Vin himself and other important figures in the UK reggae scene, as well as some vintage footage. I would have liked to have seen more footage from the 50s, 60s and 70s, but given the somewhat underground nature of the Jamaican music scene in Britain, I can imagine this being a story that just wasn't caught on camera.
A film like this was therefore long overdue. It tells a story that is essential for anyone interested in Jamaican music and culture and its influence on the UK.
Thursday 27th October. 7.30pm.
The Peckham Plex Cinema,
95a Rye Lane, London, SE15 4ST
FREE admission (booking essential)
Bookings: free_duke@live.com
Telephone: 07415 174 451
Cinema website: http://www.peckhamplex.com/
Film website: http://gustofilms.com/duke-vin/
A film like this was therefore long overdue. It tells a story that is essential for anyone interested in Jamaican music and culture and its influence on the UK.
Thursday 27th October. 7.30pm.
The Peckham Plex Cinema,
95a Rye Lane, London, SE15 4ST
FREE admission (booking essential)
Bookings: free_duke@live.com
Telephone: 07415 174 451
Cinema website: http://www.peckhamplex.com/
Film website: http://gustofilms.com/duke-vin/
12 September 2011
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
Directed by Göran Hugo Olsson, The Black Power Mixtape is a fascinating documentary about the Black Power movement in America between 1967 and 1975. It is due for general release in UK cinemas on 21st October, but I was lucky enough to see a preview screening of the film last month.
Running at just over an hour and a half, the film is primarily a compilation of long-lost footage which was found buried in a Swedish Television archive - unseen by the public for 30 years. On top of this are added contemporary audio interviews from leading African-American artists, activists, musicians and scholars.
So far, release dates include:
Curzon Soho / 21st - 27th October
The Ritzy, Brixton / 21st - 27th October
The Lexi Cinema, Kilburn / 28th October - 3rd November
This list of screenings is expected to grow however, so keep your eyes open for other cinemas across London.
Running at just over an hour and a half, the film is primarily a compilation of long-lost footage which was found buried in a Swedish Television archive - unseen by the public for 30 years. On top of this are added contemporary audio interviews from leading African-American artists, activists, musicians and scholars.So far, release dates include:
Curzon Soho / 21st - 27th October
The Ritzy, Brixton / 21st - 27th October
The Lexi Cinema, Kilburn / 28th October - 3rd November
This list of screenings is expected to grow however, so keep your eyes open for other cinemas across London.
06 September 2011
The E17 Art Trail - September 2011
The E17 Art Trail is currently taking place in Walthamstow in North East London. It runs until 11th September. The E17 Art Trail is a free annual festival showcasing artists from Waltham Forest. This year there are more than 1000 contributors exhibiting in over 100 venues around the borough. The Trail also includes film, poetry and music events.For more information and full listings, visit www.e17arttrail.co.uk
17 October 2010
Legacy In the Dust - The Four Aces Story screens in Dalston
Critically acclaimed documentary, Legacy In the Dust - The Four Aces Story, will be showing on Wednesday 20th October and Wednesday 10th November at Open the Gate, The Black Culture Cafe in Dalston.
The screenings will be followed by a discussion with the film's director, Winstan Whitter.
Legacy In The Dust tells the story of the hugely influential Club Four Aces in Dalston, which opened in the 1960s and went on to become one of the most popular reggae clubs in London during the 1970s. Against local opposition the club was demolished in 2006 to make way for for new developments.
Times: 7pm till 11.30pm
Admission: £5
Venue: Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ
For more information about the cafe, visit http://openthegate.org.uk/
The screenings will be followed by a discussion with the film's director, Winstan Whitter.
Legacy In The Dust tells the story of the hugely influential Club Four Aces in Dalston, which opened in the 1960s and went on to become one of the most popular reggae clubs in London during the 1970s. Against local opposition the club was demolished in 2006 to make way for for new developments.
Times: 7pm till 11.30pm
Admission: £5
Venue: Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ
For more information about the cafe, visit http://openthegate.org.uk/
16 September 2010
Film listings - September 2010
Soulboy (certificate 15)New release Soulboy is a good fun film based around the English Northern soul scene of the 1970s. It has a great 60s soul soundtrack and some excellent dancing. The plot is basically a typical coming-of-age romance story, but the believable acting, interesting backdrops and sub-plots maintain interest. The ending lets the film down slightly, being predictable and rather cheesy, but over all this is an enjoyable film and worth seeing - especially if you have an interest in 60s soul, 70s England or the Northern soul scene.
Soulboy is showing at the Empire Cinema Leicester Square until Thursday 23rd September
Empire Cinema
5-6 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7NA
http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk/
http://www.soulboythefilm.com/
---
Metropolis - restored and reconstructed (certificate PG)Fritz Lang's much-lauded 1920s film Metropolis is currently showing in a restored and reconstructed version - the longest since its first release. Visually, this film is as impressive today as it must have been in the 1920s. The design, filming, special effects and scenery are generally breathtaking. Most of this can be admired early on however, and at around two and half hours in length, Metropolis is hard work and feels rather too long. Much of the acting has dated badly too and borders on the ridiculous at times. What redeems it however, is Brigitte Helm's astounding performance as the Maschinenmensch (machine-human). The film is well worth sitting through just to see Helm take on this exciting and erotic role toward the end of the story. Although the soundtrack has its moments, it does not always complement the action and becomes tedious after a while. It has too little variation, coming back for example to a reptitive Marseillaise-esque theme later in the film. It is definitely worth seeing Metropolis on the big screen though and marvelling at its visual impact that easily puts many of today's films to shame.
Metropolis is showing at the ICA until Thursday 30th September
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH
http://www.ica.org.uk/
02 December 2009
Voices of Freedom - 18th-23rd January
Voices of Freedom @ Rich Mix
18th-23rd January 2010
35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
http://www.richmix.org.uk/
To mark Martin Luther King Day on Monday 18th January and the first anniversary of Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday 20th January, East London cultural arts centre Rich Mix is to present a week of special events encompassing theatre, film, spoken word and live music, which will celebrate and question the notions of freedom at the start of the year of the next General Election.
The programme includes award-winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste's 'Let Freedom Ring!'. The show promises a world class line-up of jazz musicians, brand new visuals from VJ collective Yeast reflecting on Obama's first year, and extracts from the epic poem 'Mental Fight', whose author, Ben Okri, will be "In Conversation", looking at his career and inspirations, including readings from his latest work 'Tales of Freedom'.
Film and theatre promise to examine the lives of controversial and influential Black Nationalist leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, with a screening of Spike Lee's 'Malcolm X' and a performance of Eclipse Theatre's one-man show, 'Michael X'.
Spoken word performances will complete the week, with Elizabeth Mansfield sharing stories of refugees and exiles from all over the word in 'The Uninvited' and an All-Star Poetry Olympics Superjam celebrating freedom, with a line-up of poets and writers led by "jazz poetry pioneer" Michael Horovitz.
Full details and press release below.
Film: MALCOLM X
Mon 18 Jan / 7pm / Screen 3 / £5
1993/USA/201mins/cert 15
Dir: Spike Lee
Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall
"Lee's acclaimed biopic of the controversial and influential black activist Malcolm X takes us from his inauspicious beginnings and imprisonment, through to his conversion to the Nation of Islam and his later rejection of their divisive teachings. Born Malcolm Little, he became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when let out of jail, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim. He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz and stops his anti-white teachings, as he realises the error of his mistakes. He is later on assassinated, and dies a Muslim Martyr."
In Conversation with Ben Okri
Tue 19 January / 7.30pm / Screen 2 / £5
"As a preview to the performance of Let Freedom Ring! which features his poetry, Ben Okri will join us In Conversation to talk about his life, inspirations and work to date. Okri has published 10 novels, including The Famished Road, as well as collections of poetry, short stories and essays. His work has been translated into more than 20 languages. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has been awarded the OBE as well as numerous international prizes, including the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Africa, the Aga Khan Prize for Fiction and the Chianti Rufino-Antico Fattore. His latest book, Tales of Freedom was published in April 2009."
Theatre: THE UNINVITED
Wed 20 Jan / 7.30pm / Venue 1 / £5
"The Uninvited is a performance tour de force telling the extraordinary stories of refugees and exiles, from all over the world, past and present. Poems, writings and testimonies flow into songs – Spanish, Filipino, Farsi, Bosnian – sung both in original language and in English translation. Premiered in the USA, in the wake of 9/11, The Uninvited celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the words and music, the humour and courage, of those forced to flee their homes, and make a new life in foreign lands. Performed by Elizabeth Mansfield, Olivier Award nominee for 'Best Actress in a Musical'."
Spoken Word: ALL-STAR POETRY OLYMPICS SUPERJAM
Fri 22 Jan / 7.30pm / Bar / £12/ £10 concs
"Michael Horovitz presents a galaxy of scintillating superbards: Francesca Beard, Charlie Dark, Salena Godden, Daljit Nagra, Molly Parkin, Tim Wells, with Pete Lemer's Piano, Annie Whitehead's trombone, vocals and spoken-word settings, the William Blake Klezmatrix Band, plus special guests. Michael Horovitz is best known for his appearance at the International Poetry Incarnation at the Royal Albert Hall on June 11 1965, alongside Allen Ginsberg and Alexander Trocchi. And then came the Poetry Olympics which have taken Horovitz all over the world, his aim being 'to join hands, hearts and heads, to communicate and exchange at the grass roots.' Less appreciative voices of the establishment claim that Horovitz's selections and modes of presentation are 'subversive'. Horovitz hopes that this charge is justified: 'Subversion usually means change', he says, 'and poetry should change people'."
Eclipse Theatre presents MICHAEL X
By Vanessa Walters
Fri 22 Jan / 7.30pm / Venue 1 / £12 / £10 concs
Directed by Dawn Walton. Design by Simon Kenny. Cast: Clint Dyer
"Who was Michael X? Black Power Activist and Political Icon? Liar Pimp, Murderer? A Trini 'bwoy' rolls off a boat into 1950s London. Ten years later he's the most famous black man in Britain, but who was Michael X? The 'authentic voice of black bitterness' [Observer 1965] or the ex Rachman henchman for whom politics was just another hustle? Set at a political rally, Vanessa Walters' new play probes at the heart of politics in 1960s Britain. Michael X tells the tale of one man's experience set against the backdrop of social change. This compelling monologue will be performed by stage and screen star Clint Dyer. Eclipse theatre is a national touring company whose recent work includes The Hounding of David Oluwale (Best Director nomination: TMA awards 2009) and Angel House by Roy Williams."
Music: Denys Baptiste - LET FREEDOM RING!
Sat 23 Jan / 8pm / Bar / £15 / £12
"Stirring contemporary jazz with gospel, blues and Afro-Cuban music from Mercury/MOBO award winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste, inspired by the spirit and rhythms of Dr Martin Luther King's momentous 'I Have A Dream' speech on its 40th anniversary, and featuring an explosive 11-piece international line-up including Abram Wilson, Andrew McCormack and Gary Crosby (Jazz Jamaica). Jazz has always been closely connected with the struggle for freedom and justice, and the suite's four parts – 'I Have A Dream', 'With This Faith', 'Let Freedom Ring!', and 'Free At Last' – pay tribute to those who have fought to overcome oppression, expressing ideals which are as relevant today as they were 40-odd, and even 200 years ago. Collaborating with Booker Prize winning author Ben Okri, Baptiste has synchronised extracts of Okri's epic poem Mental Fight into this exhilarating mix of music."
Video art: YEAST
"VJs of acclaimed film-makers, Yeast join the band to present a creative live mix of footage of the musicians' performance on stage, the text of Ben Okri's poem, and powerful images of the struggle for freedom, equality and justice by oppressed peoples throughout the international community. An incredibly moving experience, the music and visuals act as powerful reminders of why the quest for freedom and civil rights must continue."
18th-23rd January 2010
35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
http://www.richmix.org.uk/
To mark Martin Luther King Day on Monday 18th January and the first anniversary of Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday 20th January, East London cultural arts centre Rich Mix is to present a week of special events encompassing theatre, film, spoken word and live music, which will celebrate and question the notions of freedom at the start of the year of the next General Election.
The programme includes award-winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste's 'Let Freedom Ring!'. The show promises a world class line-up of jazz musicians, brand new visuals from VJ collective Yeast reflecting on Obama's first year, and extracts from the epic poem 'Mental Fight', whose author, Ben Okri, will be "In Conversation", looking at his career and inspirations, including readings from his latest work 'Tales of Freedom'.
Film and theatre promise to examine the lives of controversial and influential Black Nationalist leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, with a screening of Spike Lee's 'Malcolm X' and a performance of Eclipse Theatre's one-man show, 'Michael X'.
Spoken word performances will complete the week, with Elizabeth Mansfield sharing stories of refugees and exiles from all over the word in 'The Uninvited' and an All-Star Poetry Olympics Superjam celebrating freedom, with a line-up of poets and writers led by "jazz poetry pioneer" Michael Horovitz.
Full details and press release below.
Film: MALCOLM X
Mon 18 Jan / 7pm / Screen 3 / £5
1993/USA/201mins/cert 15
Dir: Spike Lee
Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall
"Lee's acclaimed biopic of the controversial and influential black activist Malcolm X takes us from his inauspicious beginnings and imprisonment, through to his conversion to the Nation of Islam and his later rejection of their divisive teachings. Born Malcolm Little, he became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when let out of jail, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim. He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz and stops his anti-white teachings, as he realises the error of his mistakes. He is later on assassinated, and dies a Muslim Martyr."
In Conversation with Ben Okri
Tue 19 January / 7.30pm / Screen 2 / £5
"As a preview to the performance of Let Freedom Ring! which features his poetry, Ben Okri will join us In Conversation to talk about his life, inspirations and work to date. Okri has published 10 novels, including The Famished Road, as well as collections of poetry, short stories and essays. His work has been translated into more than 20 languages. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has been awarded the OBE as well as numerous international prizes, including the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Africa, the Aga Khan Prize for Fiction and the Chianti Rufino-Antico Fattore. His latest book, Tales of Freedom was published in April 2009."
Theatre: THE UNINVITED
Wed 20 Jan / 7.30pm / Venue 1 / £5
"The Uninvited is a performance tour de force telling the extraordinary stories of refugees and exiles, from all over the world, past and present. Poems, writings and testimonies flow into songs – Spanish, Filipino, Farsi, Bosnian – sung both in original language and in English translation. Premiered in the USA, in the wake of 9/11, The Uninvited celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the words and music, the humour and courage, of those forced to flee their homes, and make a new life in foreign lands. Performed by Elizabeth Mansfield, Olivier Award nominee for 'Best Actress in a Musical'."
Spoken Word: ALL-STAR POETRY OLYMPICS SUPERJAM
Fri 22 Jan / 7.30pm / Bar / £12/ £10 concs
"Michael Horovitz presents a galaxy of scintillating superbards: Francesca Beard, Charlie Dark, Salena Godden, Daljit Nagra, Molly Parkin, Tim Wells, with Pete Lemer's Piano, Annie Whitehead's trombone, vocals and spoken-word settings, the William Blake Klezmatrix Band, plus special guests. Michael Horovitz is best known for his appearance at the International Poetry Incarnation at the Royal Albert Hall on June 11 1965, alongside Allen Ginsberg and Alexander Trocchi. And then came the Poetry Olympics which have taken Horovitz all over the world, his aim being 'to join hands, hearts and heads, to communicate and exchange at the grass roots.' Less appreciative voices of the establishment claim that Horovitz's selections and modes of presentation are 'subversive'. Horovitz hopes that this charge is justified: 'Subversion usually means change', he says, 'and poetry should change people'."
Eclipse Theatre presents MICHAEL X
By Vanessa Walters
Fri 22 Jan / 7.30pm / Venue 1 / £12 / £10 concs
Directed by Dawn Walton. Design by Simon Kenny. Cast: Clint Dyer
"Who was Michael X? Black Power Activist and Political Icon? Liar Pimp, Murderer? A Trini 'bwoy' rolls off a boat into 1950s London. Ten years later he's the most famous black man in Britain, but who was Michael X? The 'authentic voice of black bitterness' [Observer 1965] or the ex Rachman henchman for whom politics was just another hustle? Set at a political rally, Vanessa Walters' new play probes at the heart of politics in 1960s Britain. Michael X tells the tale of one man's experience set against the backdrop of social change. This compelling monologue will be performed by stage and screen star Clint Dyer. Eclipse theatre is a national touring company whose recent work includes The Hounding of David Oluwale (Best Director nomination: TMA awards 2009) and Angel House by Roy Williams."
Music: Denys Baptiste - LET FREEDOM RING!
Sat 23 Jan / 8pm / Bar / £15 / £12
"Stirring contemporary jazz with gospel, blues and Afro-Cuban music from Mercury/MOBO award winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste, inspired by the spirit and rhythms of Dr Martin Luther King's momentous 'I Have A Dream' speech on its 40th anniversary, and featuring an explosive 11-piece international line-up including Abram Wilson, Andrew McCormack and Gary Crosby (Jazz Jamaica). Jazz has always been closely connected with the struggle for freedom and justice, and the suite's four parts – 'I Have A Dream', 'With This Faith', 'Let Freedom Ring!', and 'Free At Last' – pay tribute to those who have fought to overcome oppression, expressing ideals which are as relevant today as they were 40-odd, and even 200 years ago. Collaborating with Booker Prize winning author Ben Okri, Baptiste has synchronised extracts of Okri's epic poem Mental Fight into this exhilarating mix of music."
Video art: YEAST
"VJs of acclaimed film-makers, Yeast join the band to present a creative live mix of footage of the musicians' performance on stage, the text of Ben Okri's poem, and powerful images of the struggle for freedom, equality and justice by oppressed peoples throughout the international community. An incredibly moving experience, the music and visuals act as powerful reminders of why the quest for freedom and civil rights must continue."
28 August 2009
The Portobello Film Festival - 3rd-20th September
The 14th Annual Portobello Film Festival starts on 3rd September and runs until the 20th. There will be over 700 short and feature films shown and best of all the screenings are free. On top of this, there will also be art on display by some of London's finest up-and-coming "street" artists.The festival has a number of different themes including:
Caribbean Film (a two day showcase of contemporary films produced by Caribbean filmmakers)
European Films (a 'Best Of' selection from France, Spain, Germany and around Europe)
London Film-Makers (a selection of contemporary London film making)
Some particularly interesting-sounding highlights include:
The Beat Goes On
Fifty Years of Counter-Culture from The Beat Generation to A New Waste Land featuring live poetry and music plus rare films of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and UK Beat poets and musicians.
Friday 4th September from 8pm
@ The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY
Duke Vin And The Birth Of Ska (Gus Berger)
Sunday 6th September. 5.35pm
@ Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, W10 5JJ
The Power Of The Vagina (Jimmel Daniel)
Wednesday 16th September between 7pm and 11pm
@ The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY
The Faces of the Slave Trade (Neigeme Glasgow-Maeda)
Wednesday 16th September between 7pm and 11pm
@ The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY
For full listings and details visit: www.portobellofilmfestival.com
01 June 2009
The Story of London @ Tate Britain - Fri 5 June
On the first Friday of every month, Tate Britain presents an after-hours evening of free performances, music, talks and films. Half-price entry is also offered to current exhibitions (no concessions).
This month's Late At Tate Britain takes place on Friday 5th June, and sounds particularly interesting. The theme is London's many histories. Highlights include:
* A walking tour of the Tate's neighbourhood to find out how today's gallery was shaped by an imposing prison, a Victorian sugar baron, a military hospital and abandoned yet ambitious schemes
* Discussion of Black History in London including the 1975 film "Pressure", widely acknowledged to be the first feature film drama to be made by a black film-maker in Britain
* A recreation of William Blake's 1801 Soho exhibition and a talk about Blake's Life
* Explorations of the Tate's archive including rare Blake images, Hogarth engravings, Dore illustrations and other early images of London
* A programme of silent films from a Lost London brought to life with a newly-commissioned score; from the bustle of the Victorian commute to the ordeal of the Blitz
On top of this, The Shellac Sisters will be present playing a selection of original 78s on their vintage 1920s gramophones. They'll be in Room 9 - "Romantic Painting in Britain" - for the whole evening.
The Story of London
Late At Tate Britain
Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Friday 5th June. 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Free admission
For full details visit www.tate.org.uk/britain/eventseducation/lateattatebritain/lateattatebritainjune2009.htm
To find out more about The Shellac Sisters check out: www.shellacsisters.co.uk
This month's Late At Tate Britain takes place on Friday 5th June, and sounds particularly interesting. The theme is London's many histories. Highlights include:
* A walking tour of the Tate's neighbourhood to find out how today's gallery was shaped by an imposing prison, a Victorian sugar baron, a military hospital and abandoned yet ambitious schemes
* Discussion of Black History in London including the 1975 film "Pressure", widely acknowledged to be the first feature film drama to be made by a black film-maker in Britain
* A recreation of William Blake's 1801 Soho exhibition and a talk about Blake's Life
* Explorations of the Tate's archive including rare Blake images, Hogarth engravings, Dore illustrations and other early images of London
* A programme of silent films from a Lost London brought to life with a newly-commissioned score; from the bustle of the Victorian commute to the ordeal of the Blitz
On top of this, The Shellac Sisters will be present playing a selection of original 78s on their vintage 1920s gramophones. They'll be in Room 9 - "Romantic Painting in Britain" - for the whole evening.
The Story of London
Late At Tate Britain
Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Friday 5th June. 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Free admission
For full details visit www.tate.org.uk/britain/eventseducation/lateattatebritain/lateattatebritainjune2009.htm
To find out more about The Shellac Sisters check out: www.shellacsisters.co.uk
06 November 2008
Fantastic London - free films at The Birkbeck Cinema
Titled "Fantastic London", The Birkbeck Cinema is currently showing another series of films presented by the London Screen Study Collection. The theme of the series is "London re-imagined".
These screenings are free and take place every Tuesday at 2.30pm. 9th December is the finale and highlight of the series - another chance to catch "London Loves" which was shown last month in Trafalgar Square as part of The London Film Festival. This is a harvest of excellent rarities from London's archives including clips of Fluffers cleaning the London Underground, Eel and Pie Houses and "The Elephant Will Never Forget" from 1953 which documents the moving story of London's last trams.
The Birkbeck Cinema is located at: 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PD
For more information, including full programme, contact Angela English on a.english@bbk.ac.uk
These screenings are free and take place every Tuesday at 2.30pm. 9th December is the finale and highlight of the series - another chance to catch "London Loves" which was shown last month in Trafalgar Square as part of The London Film Festival. This is a harvest of excellent rarities from London's archives including clips of Fluffers cleaning the London Underground, Eel and Pie Houses and "The Elephant Will Never Forget" from 1953 which documents the moving story of London's last trams.
The Birkbeck Cinema is located at: 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PD
For more information, including full programme, contact Angela English on a.english@bbk.ac.uk
18 July 2008
Duke Vin & The Birth Of Ska - 7th August
The SERTUC film club presents a private screening and panel discussion of "Duke Vin and the Birth of Ska" on Thursday 7th August.
This documentary covers the arrival in London of pioneering Jamaican soundmen Duke Vin (who DJ'd for me at Right On! back in 2003) and Count Suckle and looks at the effect that Jamaican music and culture had on the UK. These men and the role they played in championing ska music in the UK has often been sadly neglected, so I am very pleased to hear of such an interesting sounding film on the subject. Hopefully this will help give them some of the recognition they deserve from the wider public.
Admission to the screening is free but advance booking is essential.
Location: Congress House, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3LS
Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm
You can register by emailing sertucevents@tuc.org.uk or by calling (020) 7467 1220
28 June 2008
V&A Motown Weekend - 5th-6th July
Another interesting event coming up at The Victoria & Albert Museum next weekend. To celebrate 50 years of Motown, and coinciding with the V&A's Supremes exhibition, the museum will be exploring the power of soul music, from "Stop in the Name of Love" to "Inner City Blues" and beyond. There will be films, talks, T-shirt printing, Supremes makeovers, dance routines and soul and funk chorus workshops.
On top of this, DJs such as Jo Wallace (Motown), Gladdy Wax and Mistah Brown will be providing a soundtrack of Motown, Northern Soul, Ska, Rocksteady and Afrobeat.
The whole event is absolutely free (note that the Supremes exhibition is not free however), so put on your best threads and get down to explore the impact and legacy of one of the most important record labels of all time.
For full details of this unique weekender, check out the V&A website:
vam.ac.uk/activ_events/events/motown_weekender/index.html
02 April 2008
60s French Cinema at BFI Southbank - April 2008
Following on from last month's fantastic European Film Noir season, the BFI Southbank presents yet another exciting season of films between the 11th and 30th April: Pop Goes The Revolution: French Cinema and May '68
This season features 12 films from such directors as Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut as well as William Klein's cult swinging 60s satire "Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?" (pictured above)
For tickets and full details visit the BFI website
02 March 2008
European Film Noir - 2nd-27th March
During March, The BFI Southbank (formerly the National Film Theatre) is running an excellent programme of films entitled "Twilight and Treachery: The Postwar European Film Noir"
Highlights of the season include Godard's New Wave masterpiece "Bande à part", Bertolucci's stylish 1970 adaptation of Moravia's "The Conformist" and "Lift to the Scaffold" - famous for it's soundtrack by Miles Davis.
For full details of the season and a programme of all the films being shown visit:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/twilight_and_treachery_the_postwar_european_film_noir
The Conformist is also being shown at various dates through March at three other London cinemas - The Barbican, The Renoir (part of the Curzon group) and The Everyman.
For dates and more information check out: www.bfi.org.uk/releases/conformist/
23 October 2007
London After Dark - film season
An excellent film season is currently underway at the Birkbeck Cinema, which offers a unique look at London after dark throughout the ages. Films are being shown every Tuesday afternoon at 2.30pm until the 4th December. And best of all, the screenings are free.
Here's the press release:
"The London Screen Study Collection continues in its mission to promote awareness of London's film heritage with a new season. Catch free screenings until 4 December.
"The focus is 'the capital by night' - as portrayed by both native and visiting film-makers over a seventy year period. The films range from low-budget talkies, to recent film-making that makes use of CGI to alter aspects of London locations."
The Birkbeck Cinema (formerly known as The Screen on Gordon Square) is located at 43 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PD
Note that, although admission is free, due to the small size of the cinema (it seats 70) you should reserve a place in advance by contacting Angela English on a.english@bbk.ac.uk or (020) 7631 6181
This afternoon's film (23 October) is "Night and the City" from 1950 which offers an Expressionist view of London's sporting underworld.
Other upcoming films that sound particularly interesting include:
30 October - "Every Day Except Christmas" and "Nice Time"
Films from the 1950s Free Cinema movement that examine both the gritty and the glamorous sides of London life.
6 November - "Peeping Tom" (Michael Powell, 1960)
Seedy Fitrozia alleyways and attics in Powell's satire on the film business, which also explores the roots of voyeurism.
13 November - "Nighthawks" (Ron Peck, 1978)
Pioneering British independent film which aimed to portray metropolitan gay life from the inside for the first time.
For full film listings and details visit:
http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/news_details.asp?newsid=1233
The Birkbeck Cinema is part of Birkbeck University's Centre for Film and Visual Media. For more information on the centre and the work they undertake vist:
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/hafvm/research/centre_fvm
Here's the press release:
"The London Screen Study Collection continues in its mission to promote awareness of London's film heritage with a new season. Catch free screenings until 4 December.
"The focus is 'the capital by night' - as portrayed by both native and visiting film-makers over a seventy year period. The films range from low-budget talkies, to recent film-making that makes use of CGI to alter aspects of London locations."
The Birkbeck Cinema (formerly known as The Screen on Gordon Square) is located at 43 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PD
Note that, although admission is free, due to the small size of the cinema (it seats 70) you should reserve a place in advance by contacting Angela English on a.english@bbk.ac.uk or (020) 7631 6181
This afternoon's film (23 October) is "Night and the City" from 1950 which offers an Expressionist view of London's sporting underworld.
Other upcoming films that sound particularly interesting include:
30 October - "Every Day Except Christmas" and "Nice Time"
Films from the 1950s Free Cinema movement that examine both the gritty and the glamorous sides of London life.
6 November - "Peeping Tom" (Michael Powell, 1960)
Seedy Fitrozia alleyways and attics in Powell's satire on the film business, which also explores the roots of voyeurism.
13 November - "Nighthawks" (Ron Peck, 1978)
Pioneering British independent film which aimed to portray metropolitan gay life from the inside for the first time.
For full film listings and details visit:
http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/news_details.asp?newsid=1233
The Birkbeck Cinema is part of Birkbeck University's Centre for Film and Visual Media. For more information on the centre and the work they undertake vist:
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/hafvm/research/centre_fvm
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