May 2020 The Walter Reade Bloomsbury Cinema first opened its doors in 1972. Before being renamed both the ABC Bloomsbury, EMI Bloomsbury and then Gate during the mid to late 1970s, with European and art house cinema becoming a speciality as each rebrand took place. However, Bloomsbury finally achieved some stability in 1986 as the Renoir, operating under the Curzon …
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Writer and director Céline Sciamma is renowned for her beautiful and nuanced coming of age films. With a back catalogue filled with stunning reflections on the transition to adulthood, from Water Lilies to Tomboy. However, with her latest film ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’, Sciamma breaks with her own convention. While equally demonstrating that the urgency of love and belonging is not …
‘Il ragazzo invisibile’ Back in December 2014, Oscar-winning Italian director Gabriele Salvatores released The Invisible Boy (Il ragazzo invisibile). However, a bit like the boy at the centre of its story, the movie all but disappeared outside of Italy. Languishing in its own void of invisibility here in the UK until its quiet release on streaming services in 2016. Consequently, …
We all know just how hard Film Festivals from across the globe have been hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic. Consequently having to cancel entire festival programmes that have taken a year to develop at short notice. However, BFI Flare recently proved that festivals can be taken online with their outstanding BFI Flare at Home experience. And now major Film …
Over the next month Cinerama Film is going to explore The Greatest Moments from Star Wars history, starting with The Prequels. A set of films often criticised, but deeply important in the history of Star Wars on screen. The imagination, wonder and technical achievement of each film finding a whole new generation of fans. And while some may still sniff …
Political regimes built on segregation and hate are multi-faceted in their use of control, violence and indoctrination. Often forcing both internal and external discrimination and oppression based on an ideology that fears any difference. In turn, using divide and conquer governance, in ensuring people who do not fit their idealised mould are targeted whether they be internal or external to …
Based on the award-winning short story by Colin Barrett, and adapted for the screen by Joe Murtagh. Director Nick Rowland’s Calm With Horses is nothing short of electric crime drama. In a debut feature film that explores masculinity, community and crime without broad brush stereotypes or cliches. Wrapping the audience in a heart-breaking and violent portrait of limited opportunity, social …
Lampooning fascism and Nazi ideology in film can be a tightrope walk for any Director. With the sensitivities of history still raw and full of emotion for many viewers. Hence creating a need to balance humour with the true horror of war and hate. And with Jojo Rabbit, Director Taika Waititi manages to walk this tricky tightrope by layering the …
‘Papa, sdokhni’ From the very first scene Kirill Sokolov’s debut feature Why Don’t You Just Die sets out its devilishly dark stall. As twenty-something Matvei (Aleksandr Kuznetsov) arrives at the apartment of his girlfriend Olya’s (Evgeniya Kregzhde) parents, armed with hammer. Only to be met by Olya’s father Andrei (Vitaliy Khaev) a brutish, controlling and decidedly corrupt police officer. His large …
Charting the journey of four friends over five decades. Sergio Leone’s masterpiece Once Upon a Time in America has found itself eclipsed in recent years by the equally stunning Goodfellas and The Godfather. But this is a film that deserves an equal amount of praise and attention. As it wraps the viewer in a truly epic tale of friendship, betrayal and revenge. …