Our movie screening programme January - March 2010
FREE Archive Newsreel
British Gaumont, 1945.
Starts Friday 15 January
2010 marks the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. This powerful film shows three fascinating viewpoints of this tumultuous time. The War in the Far East was accelerating as American and Australian troops advanced on the Filipino capital of Manila, whilst The Yalta Conference saw the ‘Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin meeting to decide the fate of post-war Germany. Meanwhile, in Europe, a big push took The Allied Offensive over the border and into German territory, advancing surely on Berlin and towards eventual victory.
Free AV Festival Newsreel
British Gaumont, 1946.
Starts Friday 26 February
To coincide with AV Festival 10 and its Energy theme, we present a fascinating, at times shocking, glimpse into the devastating power of nuclear energy. This incredible newsreel footage details the preparation for ‘Operation Crossroads’, a series of nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean, which culminated in the irradiation of the entire test site - still uninhabitable to this day – and the destruction of many test ships anchored near to the explosions. Please see www.avfestival.co.uk for more details.
Dir. Jason Reitman. USA 2009. 1hr 49mins.
Now ShowingBuy tickets
Nominated for six Golden Globes, this fantastic comedy looks like it may potentially fly off with all of this years awards. Juno director Jason Reitman teams up with Academy Award winner George Clooney for this excellent comedy drama about Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer obsessed with collecting frequent flier miles. But Bingham’s cherished life on the road is soon threatened when his company decides to cut back on travel, not only stopping him from reaching his goal of 10 million flier miles, but also keeping away from another frequent flyer (Vera Farmiga, The Departed) who has caught his eye. Just like Juno, Up In The Air is impossible not to like, with a sharp script, timely story and an assured erformance from Clooney. One flight you have to catch.
Dir. Jacques Audiard. France 2009. 2hrs 35mins. In French with English subtitles.
Now ShowingBuy tickets
The first unmissable film of 2010. From Jacques Audiard, the director behind The Beat That My Heart Skipped, A Prophet is one of the most electrifying, authentic and engaging films to ever hit our screens. Malik (a marvellous performance from newcomer Tahar Rahim) is an uneducated teenager stepping into a French prison after being given three years for attacking a policeman. Once there, he’s at the mercy of his surroundings, and despite being of Arab descent, is taken in by the Corsican mafia and kingpin Cesar Luchiani (a brilliant Niels Arestrup), who begins to use him for errands and murders, and who inadvertently starts Malik’s rise to power….
“The film shows Audiard to be the biggest beast in new French cinema.” The Guardian
Dir. Lee Daniels. USA 2009. 1hr 49mins.
Now ShowingBuy tickets
Huge is definitely the best way to describe Precious, a brilliant hard-hitting, heart-breaking tale of an overweight teenager living with an abusive mother living in Harlem. A big hit in America and based on the novel Push by author Sapphire, Precious is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her, emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade through luck. But when she is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, she begins a journey that could change her life forever. Unforgettable and inspiring.
Dir. Clint Eastwood. USA 2009. 2hrs 13mins.
BBFC classification advice: Contains infrequent strong language.
Now ShowingBuy tickets
Academy Award winning director Clint Eastwood recruits Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon for this inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Freeman) joined forces with the captain of the South African Rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Damon), to unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. Both leads are remarkable, offering performances that definitely deserve award nods, as does Eastwood’s film which is another gem to add to his dazzling career.
Dir. Lone Scherfig. USA 2009. 1hr 40mins.
BBFC Consumer Advice: Contains moderate sex references.
Sunday 7 February, 1.25pmBuy tickets
Tuesday 9 February, 6.30pmBuy tickets
After having several of his books turned into films, author Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity) decides to cut out the middle man and make a screenplay of his own with this witty and eagerly anticipated comedy drama.
An Education stars Carey Mulligan (Pride and Prejudice) as Jenny, a young woman full of promise and intent to study at Oxford. But when she meets older man David (Peter Sarsgaard, Garden State), he leads Jenny to believe that she can learn some things outside the classroom, casting doubt on her future plans….
An Education contains the same superbly constructed story and absorbing characters that have made Hornby’s books so essential, with excellent direction from Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners), and a great supporting cast, including Alfred Molina and Emma Thompson.
The Learning Revolution: Language Café
Dir. Juan Antonio Bayona. Mexico & Spain 2007. 1hr 46mins. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Sunday 7 February, 5.35pmBuy tickets
Laura, her husband Carlos and adopted son Simón arrive at an isolated house on the coast. Key word? Isolated. A tale of love? A story of horror? Is it psychological? Is it supernatural? One thing we know for sure is that this is an absolute shocker. Produced by Guillermo del Toro and full of surprises, this is a film that was massively popular in its home territory of Spain, proving to be their most successful titles of 2007.
Language Café is a series of international foreign language classics which can be enjoyed on their own or accompanied by a free get-together after the show where you can talk about the film in its native tongue. See our Learning Revolution mini-site for more info!
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
East Asian Horror
Dir. Kinji Fukasaku. Japan 2000. 1hr 53mins.
Wednesday 10 February, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Japan is on the brink of collapse as a new millennium dawns, violence has taken grip of the country’s youth and schools have become a battle ground between the generations. A desperate government creates the Battle Royale Act in a desperate effort to shock the nation’s youth back into line.
This year’s randomly chosen school class are gassed and taken to a deserted island to battle one another to the death, under the watch of their former teacher (Takeshi Kitano). Only one student can survive this inhumane game, to return to Japan as living proof of the lengths the government will go to in order to stop the rebellion of youth.
Horrific, powerful and poignant Battle Royale shocked Japan when in was released and has created a cult following throughout the world. A classic not to be missed.
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
Vitamin C
Dir. Michelangelo Antonioni. USA 1970. 1hr 49mins.
Thursday 11 February, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Michelangelo Antonioni coolly redefines California dreaming by subverting the tropes of 60s counterculture cinema. It tells the story of a young couple one a handsome, plane-stealing, tight-jeaned hunk, the other a well-tanned hippy child that meet in the desert under bizarre circumstances, and whose free-spirited nature sees them instantly connect, only for them to be separated by tragic circumstances. A striking and provocative cult classic featuring a killer soundtrack that includes Pink Floyd and Jerry Garcia.
Dir. Tom Ford. USA 2009. 1hr 41mins.
BBFC Consumer Advice: Contains suicide theme, moderate threat, drug references and nudity.
Starts Friday 12 February
With post-screening drinks reception: Wednesday 17 February, 6.30pm
Clothing designer Tom Ford swaps fashion for film with this incredible debut feature, a tale of love interrupted based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood. Set in Los Angeles in 1962, it is the story of George Falconer (Colin Firth) a gay British College professor struggling to live his life after the sudden death of his long-term partner (Matthew Goode, Brideshead Revisited). The film follows George through a single day as he tries to find meaning to his life amidst his loss. A Single Man is a powerful film.
Please join us for a drinks reception and entertainment after the 6.30pm screening on Wednesday 17 February to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History month.
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki. Japan 2009. 1hr 41mins. Dubbed and subtitled versions in English available.
Starts Friday 12 February
The latest film from the Academy Award winning director and animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) is another enchanting and visually stunning fairytale. The film tells the tale of Ponyo, a beautiful goldfish, who after getting caught in a bottle is rescued by a young boy called Sosuke, whom she falls in love with. Using magic she transforms herself into a human girl so that she can be with Sosuke, unaware that the use of such powerful sorcery has caused a dangerous imbalance in the world….
We will screen Ponyo in both subtitled and dubbed versions. Please see listings for details.
Family ticket deal
Buy a ticket for four people (including at least one child under 16) for just £18. Valid for all screenings starting before 7.00pm. Excludes Classic Circle seats.
New Print
Dir. Blake Edwards. USA 1961. 1hr 54mins.
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February
This classic romantic comedy returns just in time for Valentine’s Day. Blake Edwards’ charming adaptation of Truman Capote’s novelette sees an irresistible Audrey Hepburn play Holly Golightly, a naïve and eccentric escort who catches the eye of struggling writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard). But both Paul and Holly have secrets that threaten to keep them from being together. Make a date for this perfect Valentine’s movie.
The Learning Revolution: Language Café
Dir. Fritz Lang. Germany 1931. 1hr 48mins. In German with English subtitles.
Sunday 14 February, 5.35pm
Fritz Lang’s first film with sound, and a masterpiece in black and white. Although nearly 80 years old, the film offers a satisfying twist to more contemporary serial killer fare as we know from the start the identity of the murderer (Peter Lorre) who terrorises Berlin. Instead we focus on the effect his actions have on not only the police but also the criminal underworld, galvanizing them all into tracking down the one individual who threatens their grip on the city. Remarkable stuff.
Language Café is a series of international foreign language classics which can be enjoyed on their own or accompanied by a free get-together after the show where you can talk about the film in its native tongue. See our Learning Revolution mini-site for more info!
Dir. Rob Reiner. USA 1989. 1hr 35mins.
Sunday 14 February, 8.00pmBuy tickets
Beating off stiff competition from the likes of Casablanca, Brief Encounter and last year’s winner The Notebook, Rob Reiner’s classic 80s romantic comedy starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan is the perfect movie to warm you up on a cold Valentines’ Night.
Setting the bar for all romantic comedies to follow, the film charts the relationship between Harry (Crystal) and Sally (Ryan) from the moment they meet and take a disliking to each other, to becoming firm friends and then, eventually, realising that they are madly in love.
A touching, sweet and very, very funny film, that will have you screaming for more come the end, and we’re sure you won’t be faking it.
Cult Classic
Dir. Ridley Scott. USA & UK 1979. 1hr 57mins.
Monday 15 February, 8.40pmBuy tickets
Ridley Scott’s none-more-dark space shocker is the stuff nightmares are made of. Scripted by the late Dan O'Bannon, who passed away in December, Alien inspired a whole fleet of science fiction horrors and adding a whole new depth to Sci Fi with its ‘used future’ aesthetic – not to mention launching the career of Sigourney Weaver and a franchise that’s about to come full-circle with a Scott-produced prequel. Always a terrifying pleasure, don’t miss it in this one-off show.
Monday night is Student night!
Bring your NUS card to any regular screening after 5pm and get in for just £3.50*. *Price excludes special events or Classic Circle.
Monday night student deal
Get a bottle of Corona, Becks, Heineken or Coke for only £1.50 when you hand in your student ticket at our Tyneside Bar.
The Learning Revolution: Language Café
Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville. France & Italy 1969. 2hrs 25mins. In French, German and English with English subtitles.
Tuesday 16 February, 5.45pm
This classic 1969 World War II drama is a tense and moving film that follows a small group of French Resistance fighters, led by Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura), as they carry out covert missions against Nazi occupiers in 1942. Superb.
Language Café is a series of international foreign language classics which can be enjoyed on their own or accompanied by a free get-together after the show where you can talk about the film in its native tongue. See our Learning Revolution mini-site for more info!
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
Vitamin C
Dir. Harmony Korine. UK, France, Ireland & USA 2008. 1hr 53mins.
Thursday 18 February, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Harmony Korine's (Gummo) brilliantly quirky comedy sees a Michael Jackson impersonator in Paris (Diego Luna, Milk) fall for a Marilyn Monroe impersonator (Samantha Morton) after meeting her at a strange retirement home performance.
Michael follows Marilyn to a castle in the Scottish Highlands occupied by other impersonators including Abe Lincoln, the Three Stooges, Madonna and Charlie Chaplin. Certainly the least tropical of Vitamin C's season but this strangely beguiling modern masterpiece is a must see.
Dir. Peter Jackson. USA, UK & New Zealand. 2hrs 15mins.
BBFC consumer advice: Contains child murder theme, disturbing scenes and moderate violence.
Starts Friday 19 FebruaryBuy tickets
Book Club: Sunday 28 February, 1.00pm
Peter Jackson returns, swapping Hobbits and giant apes for a tale of the afterlife in this adaptation of Alice Sebold’s beloved novel. Atonement’s Saoirse Ronan stars as Susie Salmon murdered in 1973 by her neighbour, George Harvey (an eerie Stanley Tucci). Susie finds herself in ‘the in-between’, a dream-like place where she observes her family as they grieve for her. But when she discovers that her killer is planning to murder again, she must try to find a way to get her family to stop him. An incredible and heart wrenching adaptation, it’s the perfect project for Jackson who handles it with his usual panache.
Also screening as part of Book Club on Sunday 28 February, 1.00pm.
“…it is doubtful that we will see a more imaginative, courageous film in 2010.” Empire
Dir. Michael Hoffman. Germany, Russia & UK. 1hr 52mins.
Starts Friday 19 February
A fabulous cast, including Golden Globe nominees Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer, light up the screen in this entertaining drama about the last days of Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. Mirren plays Tolstoy’s (Plummer) long suffering wife Sofya who, after being married to him for 48 years and bearing 13 of his children, is beside herself over her husband’s decision to leave the rights to his literary works not to her, but to the Russian people. Sofya, desperate to hold on to the work for the family by any means necessary, uses all her feminine wiles in an effort to get her husband to change his mind, but faces stiff competition from his scheming disciple Chertkov (Paul Giamatti)….
“Helen Mirren is a lusty, roaring wonder.” Rolling Stone
Dir. Alan Miles. UK 2009. 1hr 15mins.
Friday 19 February, 9.30pmBuy tickets
UK music legend Billy Bragg comes to the Tyneside to introduce this inspiring documentary which tells the story of Jail Guitar Doors, his initiative which aims to provide instruments to help achieve the rehabilitation of prison inmates. The film features performances by ‘graduates’ from Jail Guitar Doors as well as from many of the artists that have supported the programme including Mick Jones of The Clash, Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, Sam Duckworth of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly and Billy Bragg himself. Billy will discuss the film and take part in a short acoustic set after the show, along with graduates of the JGD scheme! Tickets: £11.00/£9.00 concessions.
In association with Sensoria festival of music and film.
Dir. Jean Pierre Jeunet. France 2009. 1hr 40mins. In French with English subtitles.
Starts Friday 26 February
Amélie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s magnificent black comedy tells the story of Bazil (Daniel Boon), a mild-mannered video shop worker, who, after a lengthy hospital stay caused by a gunshot wound, finds himself unemployed and living on the street. Bazil decides to take revenge on the weapons manufacturers who put him in this predicament and sets about coming up with a plan to bring them down, with the help of a new found family of friends; an underground society of misfits called the Micmacs. Micmacs is a dazzlingly, pacy and wonderfully witty satire that will make you fall in love with Jeunet all over again.
Micmacs will also be screening as part of The Learning Revolution Language Café on Tuesday 2 March at 6.25pm. Language Café is a series of international foreign language classics which can be enjoyed on their own or accompanied by a free get-together after the show where you can talk about the film in its native tongue. See our Learning Revolution mini-site for more info!
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
East Asian Horror
Dir. Kim Ji-woon. South Korea 2003. 1hr 55mins.
Wednesday 24 February, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
After being committed to a sanitarium, sisters Su-mi (Lim Soo-jeong) and Su-yeon (Mun Geun-yeong) return home to resume their lives with their father and cruel step mother.
Soon strange events begin happening around the home and the sisters are convinced their stepmother is to blame but what unfolds is more horrifying than anyone could have predicted.
A twisted psychological-horror journey that’s bound to unnerve and unsettle, A Tale of Two Sisters is a beautiful, terrifying journey that’s surely one of Asian cinema’s crown jewels.
Dir. John Sturges. USA 1963. 2hrs 50mins.
Friday 26 February, 1.45pm
In November the Tyneside reached the astonishing figure of 200,000 cinema tickets sold since reopening and the holder of number 200,000 was Lawrence Burn of North Shields, who received a six month pass to the cinema and the chance to get a film of his very own choosing onscreen. Lawrence has chosen the best wartime film of all time, based on the true story of a group of allied prisoners put in an ‘escape proof’ camp who make their bid for freedom. Steve McQueen on THAT bike, Donald Pleasance’s eyesight, ‘Thank you’ and many more unforgettable moments make for an unforgettable adventure. Join Lawrence at his special screening to see this great movie.
Cult Classic
Dirs. Jean Pierre Jeunet & Marc Caro. France, Germany & Spain 1995. 1hr 52mins. In French and Cantonese with English subtitles.
Monday 1 March, 8.45pm
To celebrate the release of Jean Pierre Jeunet’s superb new film Micmacs, we bring back this extraordinary tale about a mad scientist called Krank who kidnaps children so he can steal their dreams. Jeunet and directing partner Marc Caro create a world like no other in this bizarre and magical spectacle that you’ll never forget.
Monday night is Student night!
Bring your NUS card to any regular screening after 5pm and get in for just £3.50*. *Price excludes special events or Classic Circle.
Monday night student deal
Get a bottle of Corona, Becks, Heineken or Coke for only £1.50 when you hand in your student ticket at our Tyneside Bar.
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
East Asian Horror
Dir. Takashi Miike. Japan 1999. 1hr 55mins.
Wednesday 3 March, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Takashi Miike brings us his own shocking interpretation of Ryu Murakami’s controversial novel. Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is encouraged by his son to begin looking for a new partner several years after his wife’s death. Aoyama turns to his friend Yoshikawa for help and he sets up a fake movie audition for Aoyama to choose from a large selection of women at once.
Aoyama falls head over heels for the woman of his dreams Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina), but after she disappears and a trail of gruesome events follows in her wake she may just be the woman of his nightmares!
Miike brings a truly horrifying vision to life in one of the most astonishing features ever filmed, a true classic of extreme cinema.
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
East Asian Horror
Dir. Park Chan-wook. South Korea 2003. 2hrs.
Wednesday 10 March, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Taken from his ordinary life without reason and imprisoned in solitary confinement. Oh Dae-soo (Choi Min-sik) has no choice but to bide his time in his own personal hell, when suddenly without warning he is released after fifteen arduous years.
Given five days by his mysterious tormentor to track him down, Oh Dae-soo embarks on a violent quest of revenge and redemption in order to answer the questions that have been haunting him for the past fifteen years.
One of the most spectacular films to come out of South Korea and winner of the grand prix of the jury at Cannes, Oldboy propelled director Park Chan-wook onto the world stage, and is a modern classic of Asian cinema.
“A dark and thrillingly horrible adventure into the realms of the unthinkable.” The Guardian
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
Vitamin C
Dir. Joachim Hasler. Germany 1968. 1hr 31mins. In German with English subtitles.
Thursday 11 March, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Prepare yourselves for Germany's answer to Grease. Hot Summer is a true treat for every film connoisseur; a weirdly culturally loaded musical set in a summer camp where a group of guys and a bunch of girls get together and have a whole lot of kooky fun. Full of gaudy colour and vintage sensibilities this is a one of a kind charmer.
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
East Asian Horror
Dir. Takashi Miike. Japan 2001. 1hr 53mins.
Wednesday 17 March, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Takashi Miike takes us on an unforgettable ride that takes the extreme to new levels of ridiculousness! A horror-comedy musical via animation, karaoke, romance, zombies and volcanoes, Katakuris is nothing if not completely unique!
The Katakuri family have dreamed of opening their own guest house and finally, using their father’s redundancy pay, achieve their dream in Japan’s countryside. Unfortunately things don’t go as smoothly as they should and every guest who graces the guest house dies – by suicide, accident or murder – in order to save the business the family decide to hide the bodies sending them descending into a spiral of lies, fear and horror… not to mention one very angry volcano!
Winner of the special jury prize at the Gérardmer film festival The Happiness of the Katakuris is one of the craziest cinematic experiences around!
“Reaches cheerfully ludicrous heights to which few films even aspire!” Time Out
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
Vitamin C
Dir. Roman Polanski. Poland 1962. 1hr 34mins. In Polish with English subtitles.
Thursday 18 March, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
Roman Polanski first full length feature is a brilliantly crafted piece of work that ranks as one of the finest debut films ever. When a wealthy couple take a young hitchhiker on their sailboat it starts a rivalry between the two men for the affections of the journalist's much younger wife, leading to some rather hostile action. One of the best Polish films
Film Night in the Tyneside Bar:
Vitamin C
Dir. Lukas Moodysson. Sweeden, Denmark & Italy 2001. 1hr 56mins. In Swedish with English subtitles.
Thursday 25 March, 9.00pm, Tyneside Bar, Free entry
A tale of life on a Stockholm commune in the mid-'70s. After suffering more than her share of abuse from her husband, Rolf (Michael Nyqvist), Elisabeth (Lisa Lindgren) takes her two children, Stefan (Sam Kessel) and Eva (Emma Samuelsson), to a commune run by her brother Göran (Gustav Hammarsten).
Life at the commune is crowded with people with laid-back attitudes towards sex, nudity, and recreational drug use, prompting plenty of political debate. But Elizabeth's presence starts to have a strange effect on the other residents, prompting them to reassess what is actually important to them.
A super quirky and affectionate piece of european cinema.
This film was due to be screened on Thursday 4th March, however, due to a change in our schedules Together is now being screened on Thursday 25th March. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
