2008

September 23rd

2 DAYS IN PARIS*

France/Germany   2007  96 min

Dir: Julie Delpy

 

Marion and Jack try to rekindle their relationship with a visit to Paris. He knew Paris was for lovers. He just didn't think they were all hers. French comedy at its best.

 

 

 

October 7th

ZATOICHI*

Japan  2003  116 min

Dir: Takeshi Kitano

 

The multi-award winning film directed by and starring the maverick Takeshi Kitano.

A blind masseur/swordsman comes to a town controlled by warring gangs…

 

 

October 21st

THE ORPHANAGE*

Spain  2007  106 min

Dir: Juan Antonio Bayona

 

‘The story seems obvious; the cliché-horror themes are there, then comes the movie, the script, the score, the acting, all in perfect harmony ... and you jump, and you chill and you shout and you wish you had never entered that damned cinema’.

It’s great. It’s moving and horrifying. It’s real. It’s haunting. It’s a classic.

 

 

November 4th

PERSEPOLIS*

France  2007  96 min

Dir: Vincente Paronnaud & Marjane Satrapi

 

Oscar-nominated, outstanding, stylish, autobiographical coming-of-age animated story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl. From growing-up during the reign of the Shah she is sent to Vienna for schooling to avoid the Islamic revolution, only to return to Teheran where she had to confront the regime again.

 

 

November 18th

ONCE

Ireland  2006  95 min

Dir: John Carney

 

A modern-day musical about a busker and a Czech immigrant in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

‘It's the best movie of the year. Maybe of the last five years. But I am not a dispassionate critic, I loved it’.

 

Preceded by the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF RICHMOND FILM SOCIETY

 

 

December 2nd

MOLIERE*

France  2007  120 min

Dir: Laurent Tirard

 

Loosely based on two Moliere plays: ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’ and ‘Tartuffe’.

A great period comedy, romantic and richly entertaining depicting a certain time in Moliere’s life, which he then uses as the raw material for his greatest theatrical successes.

 

 

December 16th

SON OF RAMBOW

France/UK  2007  96 min

Dir: Garth Jennings

 

Set in a long English summer (remember them!) in the early 80s.  It’s a comedy about friendship, faith and the weird business of growing up. Enjoy the quirky animations and dream sequences that offer visual pleasures for the eyes and bring childhood doodles to life.
 ‘The movie is just a brilliant little gem.’

 

Followed by the RICHMOND FILM SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY

 

2009

January 20th

THE GOLDEN DOOR*

Italy/France  2006  120 min

Dir: Emanuele Crialese

 

One of those films that linger in the back of your mind for years.  This terrifically atmospheric story is set in the dawning days of the 20th century.  It tells the tale of the hardships of a very poor Sicilian family that leaves everything and risks the rest – that is, their lives – for a dream, a new life in the States.

 

 

February 3rd

YOU, THE LIVING*

Sweden/et al  2007  95 min

Dir: Roy Andersson

 

A strange episodic film about humankind, its greatness and its baseness, joy and sorrow, its self-confidence and anxiety, its desire to love and be loved.

‘…Nothing less than a complete masterpiece. The audience was blown away.

When the film was over we applauded for several minutes, we had no other choice.’

 

 

February 17th

NOT HERE TO BE LOVED*

France  2005  93 min

Dir: Stéphane Brizé

 

Fifty year old Jean-Claude has a boring life.

When a minor heart problem is diagnosed he is advised exercise.
So he begins to have tango lessons and meets the charming younger Françoise.
Love flourishes between them, changing their lives…

 

 

March 3rd

LANTANA

Australia/Germany  2001  121 min

Dir: Ray Lawrence

 

This brilliant thriller keeps you guessing until the end thanks to the complexity and realism in all the principal characters.  It ran through my mind for hours after.

 

 

March 17th

HONEYDRIPPER

USA  2007  124 min

Dir: John Sayles

 

This film about racial segregation and the (mythical) birth of rock and roll in a small town in Alabama in 1950, uses dialogue that rings true without clichés born of racial stereotypes.  Leisurely and evoking a different era, and does so with wit and precision. From one of the US’s leading independent film-makers.

 

 

March 31st

THE EDGE OF HEAVEN*

Turkey/Germany  2007  122 min

Dir: Fatih Akin

 

A Turk travels to Istanbul to find the daughter of his father's former girlfriend.

It is absorbing and overwhelming.
The leads are outstanding, their chemistry undeniably believable.

 

 

April 14th

SHOOT 'EM UP

UK/Italy  2007  86 min

Dir: Michael Davis

 

Mr. Smith delivers a baby during a shootout, and is then called upon to protect the newborn from the army of gunmen. ‘Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride’.

 

 

April 28th

MY BEST FRIEND*

France  2006  94 min

Dir: Patrice Leconte

 

Catherine refuses to believe that her business partner, the unlikable François (Daniel Auteuil), has a best friend, so she challenges him and he has 10 days to set up an introduction. Scrambling to find someone willing to pose as his best pal, François enlists the services of a charming taxi driver to play the part.  First rate comedy

 

 

NOTE The Society reserves the right to alter the programme if a scheduled film is unavailable

 

Films marked '*' are in the original version and will be subtitled

 

All screenings are in The Studio Theatre of Richmond Adult and Community College, Parkshot, Richmond.