September Film Events

Forget Dance Flick and instead head, on 27 September, to the Cameo in Edinburgh or the Belmont Picturehouse in Aberdeen for the ultimate morris dancing movie, Morris: A Life With Bells On. The comedy follows avant-garde morris dancer Derecq Twist trying to modernise the traditional dance, and after its success online, promises to be a highly entertaining and original film.

At the GFT on 20 September, and the Cameo the following evening, is a special concert by Keith James and Rick Foot, celebrating the life and music of John Martyn, who passed away in January 2009. Martyn may not be a household name, but for anyone interested in folk, acoustic and blues he is essential listening. This special, fan-requested series of concerts not only encompasses his music, but also that of Nick Drake, Sandy Denny and Davy Graham.

In Glasgow, the GFT is also hosting Jeffrey Lewis’ Watchmen Lecture on 1 September, inviting people to debate and discuss Alan Moore’s classic (some say definitive) graphic novel. Attendees are required to have actually read the book at some point in their lives. Whether watching the film counts, we're not sure.

The CCA in Glasgow is offering people a chance to see a preview screening of the work of shortlisted Jarman Award artists on 10 September. The Jarman Award, established in 2008, seeks to recognise the work of artist filmmakers who push the boundaries of moving images and who challenge viewers' opinions and ideas, so this sneak preview ought to be an exciting experience.

The DCA in Dundee is screening Helvetica on 29 September. This 2007 documentary examines the impact Helvetica, the most prolific font type in the world, has had on graphic design. Originally created as an alternative to the typical serif font, it is now treated with disdain simply because of its overabundance. As a documentary it has received excellent reviews, so it is worth jumping at this chance to re-examine the words we see every day.

Finally, the Filmhouse in Edinburgh is showing a special retrospective of Nagisa Oshima’s work. From 4 September - 26 October twenty-two films are being shown. Widely hailed as the most important Japanese filmmaker besides Ozu or Kurosawa, the selection includes Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, starring David Bowie and Tom Conti. Set in a Japanese POW camp during WWII, it reveals the struggle between opposing cultures in the face of horrific circumstances, and of a love that wears forbidden colours.