Best Film Screenings in the North (18-25 Nov)
The best film events happening in the North this week, including Liverpool Film Night and a very special screening of Blaxploitation classic Shaft
Joy
For 20 years David O Russell has been making loose, zig-zagging comedies that feel effortless in their cool, knockabout stylings. They’re full of wit, humanity and energy, and overflowing with livewire performances. I’d argue he’s currently America’s finest filmmaker. Few would agree, however, particularly after the mixed reviews of Joy, a curious biopic starring Jennifer Lawrence. The naysayers are wrong, though. Joy is radiant, a screwball melodrama whose refraction of the American Dream seems even more relevant now, twelve months after its release.
22 Nov, The Contanental, Preston, 6.30pm
Amour
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Austrian master Michael Haneke is on fine form here with his story of a long-married couple (brilliantly played by Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva) who have to adjust when the wife suffers from a major stroke that leaves her paralyzed. In typical Haneke fashion, Amour is austere, pitiless and harrowing. It’s also deeply romantic in a fashion, and among the most heartbreaking films ever made.
22 Nov, Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds, 6pm
The Be All and End All
This Liverpool-set charmer is that rarest of sub-genres: a comedy about terminal disease. It follows a teenager Robbie who finds himself in a children’s hospital with a dodgy ticker. And he has one dying wish: lose his virginity. Best friend Ziggy is more than happen to help his pal on his mission to get laid, and so begins Bruce Webb’s effervescent odyssey. There’s enough grit here to keep the story from getting too saccharine, and the two young actors (Josh Bolt and Eugene Byrne, both greenhorns) have to-die-for chemistry. This is a rare big screen outing since its 2010 release, so do check it out.
22 Nov, Liverpool Guild Cinema, 7pm
Liverpool Film Night 2016
One of the North’s cinema highlights of the year, Liverpool Film Night returns to celebrate the talent of filmmakers in Merseyside. The night takes the form of a short film programme of work by local filmmakers, followed by a Q&A with a panel of experts, this year consisting of Clare Binns, Director of Programming & Acquisitions at Picturehouse Cinemas; Lynn Saunders Manager of Liverpool Film Office; and Director Martin Wallace, International Emmy and Royal Television Society award winner and BAFTA nominee. Afterward there’s a ‘networking moment’ that gives time to up and coming filmmakers to pick the brains of industry experts. An essential event for filmmakers and film lovers alike!
23 Nov, FACT, Liverpool, 5.30pm
Looking ahead to next week...
Shaft + Norman Jay DJ set
Who's the cat that won't cop out, when there's danger all about? That’s right, John Shaft! Not as angry or political as some of the films from the 70s Blaxploitation cycle, but one of the fliest. Gordon Parks’ direction is energetic, Richard Roundtree is supercool as the eponymous private dick and Isaac Hayes’ theme song iconic, and they all add up to make Shaft irresistible.
This event, part of BFI's Black Star season, is presented by DJ Norman Jay, who’ll be chatting with Dave Haslam about the film after the screening and spinning some funky Blaxploitation soundtracks – expect tunes from Shaft, Shaft in Africa, In The Heat of the Night, Across 110th Street and Slaughters Big Rip-Off – into the night. Can you dig it?
30 Nov, Gorilla, Manchester, 7.30pm
If you've an upcoming film event you'd like us to know about, send details to jamie@theskinny.co.uk