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

“A remarkable and intelligent film about family and conflict, with outstanding performances from Villenueve’s leading cast.” – Daily Telegraph

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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

The Brockley Jack Film Club rocked to the rafters on Saturday night with the sing-along version of Mamma Mia. The Sing It Back! choir kicked the event off and helped the audience hit the right notes throughout.

The final songs brought everyone onto the stage in a Dancing Queen frenzy, catch a glimpse here…

Back to our normal programme with a hard hitting gangster flick tonight.

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

This event has sold out.

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Phyllida Lloyd / UK 2008 / 104 min / Cert: PG

“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

Crofton Park

The Picture Palace, 346-350 Brockley Road: it opened in 1913, was later renamed the Crofton Park Picture Palace, the Crofton Park Cinema and finally the Rivoli Cinema. It had a capacity of 700 and closed in 1957. It has become the renown Rivoli Ballroom and is a  stone’s throw away from our very own venue, the Jack Studio Theatre.

Deptford

The Electric Palace, 197-199 Deptford High Street: it opened in 1914 and had a capacity of 418. It closed in 1942, was later converted into a bingo hall and, since 1989, has been a snooker club. It now houses the Shades snooker hall.

The Palace Theatre, 20A Tanners Hill: it opened in 1909 and had a capacity of 450. It closed in 1915. It is now home to a music shop and recording studio.

New Cross

The New Cross Super Kinema, 323 New Cross Road: it opened in 1925, later became the New Cross Kinema, the Kinema and finally the Gaumont. It had a capacity of ca. 2,000. Its auditorium has been demolished but the frontage still exists. The site is now home to The Venue night club.

The Electric Empire, 182 New Cross Road: it opened in 1909 and had a capacity of 310. It closed in 1917. The frontage remains and the site is currently occupied by a solicitors’ firm.

Catford

Central Hall Picture House, 1 Bromley Road: opened in 1913, it was later renamed the Plaza Cinema, the ABC and finally Cannon. It closed in 2001. It had a capacity of 1,046. The building is now used by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

Forest Hill

The Capitol Cinema, 11-21 London Road: it opened in 1932. It later became the ABC and had a capacity of 1687. The cinema closed in 1973, was turned into a bingo hall and is currently the Capitol Weatherspoon pub.

The Picture Playhouse, 18 Dartmouth Road: it opened in 1910 and was later known as the Empire Picture Theatre. It seated 400 and closed in 1914. The site is currently occupied by a takeaway.

Hither Green

The Globe Theatre, Staplehurst Road: currently a Drain Centre store, it opened in 1913 and had a capacity of 700. It was later renamed the Playhouse Cinema. It closed in 1915. “It was for sale within a year and closed a year later. Became a biscuit factory, soda works, and engineering.” (Source: Edith’s Streets)

The Park Cinema, 232 Hither Green Lane: it opened in 1913 and seater 500. It closed in 1957. Recently, our colleagues from the Hither Green Community Hall and Arts Society unsuccesfully tried to purchase the building and restore it to its former glory. Bought by a developer, the site will be turned into a carpet shop.