Northwest Film Event Highlights – November 2013

Let’s reappropriate Movember this month by cramming in as many mo-vie events as we can

Preview by Simon Bland | 25 Oct 2013

Still in Hallowe’en mode? Liverpool Horror Festival gives Grimm Up North a run for its money by closing out their frightening fun at Eric’s on Matthew Street with Evil Dead Live on 1 Nov. This ear-shattering event will screen Sam Raimi’s 1981 splatter classic and Fede Alvarez’s admirable 2012 adaptation simultaneously, throwing in some live music for good measure.

If you survive that, head to Liverpool’s FACT on 10 Nov where you’ll catch the eye-popping doc I Am Divine. This outrageous yet touching biopic of iconic drag queen Divine (aka Harris Glenn Milstead) boasts never-before-seen interviews – including one with Milstead’s late mother – and chronicles Divine’s hilarious path from bullied misfit to John Waters’ cinematic muse. Loud, proud and not to be missed.

Meanwhile, My Noir season at Cornerhouse Manchester has a few more bleak beauties hiding up its sleeve, with Kiss Me Deadly (3 Nov), Mulholland Drive (19 Nov) and The Killing (27 Nov) screening this month, complete with post-screening chats.

Next up, Lebowski-fest comes to Manchester to revisit Coen Brothers’ fan-fave The Big Lebowski at the Dancehouse Theatre on 14 Nov. Tickets to this Kahlua-fuelled night come complete with a White Russian and two more Kahlua cocktails to keep you happy while you watch. The Dude abides and you should too.

White Russians not your thing, man? Why not exchange Lebowski for the innovative Notations at Manchester’s Kraak Gallery, also on 14 Nov. Created by Vicki Bennett, this visual and aural experience combines hundreds of clips featuring gestures and instructions that are to be conveyed on stage by a team of improv artists picked specifically by Bennett herself. The end result promises to be a completely unique and energetic performance.

Manchester also plays host to the 17th UK Jewish Film Festival this month with a handful of screenings spread across Didsbury and the city centre. There’s lots to see but if you can catch only one, make it French rom-com It Happened in St Tropez on 3 Nov at Didsbury Cineworld.

And finally, the Flashback Film Series keep us warm ‘til Christmas by showing a classic movie every Monday evening. Starting from 4 Nov you’ll find Full Metal Jacket, Stand By Me, Fargo and Cocktail to keep you smiling as the nights get darker.