When a woman’s life comes to an end, her children’s lives go in shocking new directions. Obeying the requirements in their mother’s will, a brother and sister travel to the Middle East where they make unsettling discoveries about her and about themselves. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad’s award-winning play, Scorched, this beautifully filmed Québécois mystery was also a winner of multiple awards and a nominee for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It’s a spellbinding drama about the secret lives our parents lived before we knew them and the difficulties of bridging the chasm between generations, between cultures, and between siblings. According to one reviewer “there are no words to describe how touching and powerful this movie is”. So I might as well stop here.

“From its arresting opening to its shattering conclusion, the Canadian film Incendies is muscular, emotional film-making of the highest order… the story powers to a climax which left me reeling.” – The Observer

The film will be preceded by the screening of the short Callum by Michael van der Put, set in our very own Honor Oak!

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Denis Villeneuve /  Canada 2010 / 130 min / Cert: 15

Do not see this movie. It is “baffling”, “confounding” and “pretentious”. You must see this movie. It is “mesmeric”, “transcendent” and “awe-inspiring”. Like the reviewers, audiences don’t agree about Terrence Malick’s astonishing film. At the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or, its premiere ended with applause and boos. Intrigued by the origins of life, especially his own, a man (Sean Penn) reflects on his upbringing in a Midwestern family in the 1950s, particularly his relationship with his gracious mother (Jessica Chastain) and his authoritarian father (Brad Pitt). Imagine Happy Days scripted by Sartre with dinosaurs thrown in. Come along and make up your own mind.

“For anyone who loves cinema, The Tree of Life is a film that demands to be seen, experienced, analysed – it’s an eminently worthy Palme d’Or winner.” – The Telegraph

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Terrence Malick /  USA 2011 / 138 min / Cert: 12A

One night in Havana a talented songwriter meets a beautiful singer. United by their love for music and for each other, Chico and Rita begin a romance that will bring them hope, heartache and happiness. But in which order? We follow the young lovers through the ravishing cityscapes of New York, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Paris in the 1940s and 1950s.  With Latin rhythms and American jazz, this delightful award-winning animation is a treat for the ears, the eyes and several other major organs, most of all the heart. If this sensual tale of love and desire fails to move you, consult your doctor immediately.

“Sexy, sunny and sweet-natured.” – The Guardian

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Javier Mariscal & Fernando Trueba /  Spain 2010 / 94 min / Cert: 15

This is a Smurf movie for grown-ups. Smurf is the ruthless matriarch of a Melbourne crime family; she is also a grandmother to Joshua, a nice quiet boy whose mother died of a heroin overdose. When you meet Joshua’s granny and his uncles, you understand why his mother resorted to drugs. Joshua always knew that Granny Smurf was regarded as the black sheep of the family; now he learns that she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, determined to stop him mixing with the right crowd. What happens when the local crimelord is your grandmother? Can an honest cop (Guy Pearce) save this young man from his own family? Sharp writing and impeccable acting, particularly Jacki Weaver’s Oscar-nominated performance as Smurf, have produced a thrilling and challenging drama that builds to a stunning conclusion. Animal Kingdom was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival where it won the World Cinema Jury Prize.

“Tense, violent and supremely watchable” **** – The Guardian

“One of the most striking Australian pictures to reach this country over the past couple of years.”  - The Observer

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David Michôd / Australia 2010 / 108 min / Cert: 18

“It’s an intelligent, good-looking film and one that confirms Haroun as one of Africa’s leading filmmakers.” **** – Time Out

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Mahamat Saleh Haroun / Chad 2010 / 91 min / Cert: PG

“The most refreshing, urgent and original debut the British film industry has seen in years.” – David Gritten, The Daily Telegraph

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Richard Ayoade / UK 2010 / 96 min / Cert: 15

The film will be preceded by the screening of the short The Better Half by Zoltan Csirko.

“Brilliant and witty and much of it is curiously moving… this thoughtful, generous movie is a triumph”
The Guardian

“An ingenious fable… gloriously watchable.”
Time Out

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Gary Ross / USA 1999 / 120 min / Cert: 12

The Illusionist is a superbly drawn ‘old style’ – pre CGI animation which perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 1950s milieu. The titular character is from a dying breed of entertainers forced out of the main theatres by more modern performers and left to play in obscure venues. At one such event, he is befriended by a young girl and this beautiful film, by the creator of Belleville Rendez-Vous, charts their relationship. It is at once tragic, graceful, funny and inspiring.

“The Illusionist is a dazzling work of true beauty that begs to be viewed on the big screen.”  The Guardian

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Sylvain Chomet / France 2010 / 83 min / Cert: PG

“Blisteringly ­powerful… a modern classic from the very first frames… Audiard has created a long, involved, relentlessly brutal but gripping and thrilling picture.” ***** The Guardian

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Jacques Audiard / France 2009 / 155 min / French with subtitles / Cert: 18