October 2007 – March 2008

21st October 2007
Australian Comedy: Look Both Ways Director: Sarah Watt Year: 2005
Named Best Film at the recent Australian Academy, this feature film is both written and directed by Sarah Watt. The story follows the misadventures of Meryl, a woman who finds disaster wherever she goes. One day, however, Meryl becomes witness to a real accident, which connects her into the real lives of others affected by the same tragedy. Among them is Nick, a photographer, who has his own, unique set of personal issues. * Revelation of 2006 - Cannes Film Festival * Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay - Australian Film Institute * Audience Favorite - San Francisco Film Festival.

28th October 2007
Bogart and Bacall Film Noir: To Have and Have Not Director: Howard Hawks Year: 1944
Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, the story follows Harry Morgan and his sidekick Eddie, who crew a boat for hire on the island of Martinique. With the Second World War happening on all sides of them, business is not what it could be, and against their better judgement, they decide to violate their preferred neutrality and take a job for the French Resistance…This is the film in which 19 year old Lauren Bacall meets and acts with Humphrey Bogart for the first time, has the coolness to teach a man, 25 years her senior, how to whistle and then promptly walks off the set and marries him.

11th November 2007
Documentary on Architecture: The Sketches of Frank Gehry Director: Sydney Pollack Year: 2005
An intimate documentary on the sculptural working styles of architect, Frank Gehry. Made by his personal friend, actor and director, Sydney Pollack, this film allows us to look at the often surprising creative processes, which go into the design of what might, one day, become 'a recognisable Gehry.' The style and nature of the film also gives us an opportunity to drop-in on the friendship between Pollack and Gehry, providing us with a low-key browse into the man, his background, his influences and ultimately his highly controversial work. “Gehry is both abhorred and revered but never ignored.”

25th November 2007
Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck’s Comedy: Ball of Fire Director: Howard Hawks Year: 1941
Screenplay co-written by Billy Wilder, (The Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot) the story follows a group of ivory-tower lexicographers who realise, while researching for an article on slang, that they need to hear how real people talk. Lead by naive Professor Bertram Potts, (Cooper) this impractical group soon meets sexy, wisecracking nightclub singer Miss Sugarpuss O'Shea (Stanwyck) and in true romantic comedy fashion, the two worlds collide, as Miss O'Shea hides out from the mob with Professor Potts and his professors and everyone learns something new. Nominated for 4 Oscars.

9th December 2007
BAFTA Nominated True Story: The Flying Scotsman Director: Douglas MacKinnon Year: 2006
This feature film is based on the remarkable true story of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree. In I993, as an unemployed amateur, Obree broke the world one-hour record on a bike of his own revolutionary design, which he constructed out of pieces of scrap metal and parts of a washing machine. Hailed as a hero, Obree’s success was subsequently short-lived when he was stripped of his world record. “Hope made him a dreamer, Heart made him a hero.” Nominated for several BAFTA Scotland Awards. Best Actor in a Scottish Film, Best Actress in a Scottish Film, Best Director, Best Film, Best Screenplay.

13th January 2008
Multi-Award-Winning Spanish Comedy/Drama: Volver Director: Pedro Almodovar Year: 2006
Raimunda lives with her daughter Paula and her drunken husband Paco. Her sister, Sole, is separated and works clandestinely as a hairstylist for women. The sisters lost both their parents, years earlier, in a fire in their birth village. Their aunt, Paula, still lives in the village and continues to speak about her sister Irene, mother of the two sisters, as if she were still alive. When the old aunt dies, the situation changes and the past returns (Volver) in a twist of mystery and suspense. A sumptuous and stylish balance between an epic comedy and a fine story well told. Too many awards to bother mentioning.

27th January 2008
Arthur Miller’s screenplay for Marilyn Monroe: The Misfits Director: John Huston Year: 1961
The story follows Roslyn, (Monroe) a very beautiful woman who just got divorced. She meets and makes new friends, Guido and Gay, who persuade her to come to Guido's house in the country to relax. Soon, however, the two men fall in love with Roslyn and begin showing some dishonorable aspects of their characters. Nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures and reappraised recently, as “a film ahead of its time,” Arthur Miller’s screenplay cuts to he quick of a character, which only Marilyn Monroe could play. Co-starring Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift.

10th February 2008
Scottish Feature Film: Seachd – The Inaccessible Pinnacle Director: Simon Miller Year: 2007
When a young man, Angus, visits his dying Grandfather in hospital, he cannot hold back his boyhood quest for the truth. The truth he seeks, is both that which sits behind the death of his parents, and the unfathomable truth behind his Grandfather's ancient, incredible and fearful stories; stories from the whole swathe of Gaelic history, of poisoned lovers, bloody revenge, water-horses and Spanish gold. The quest ultimately leads Angus to one of Scotland's most treacherous mountains, The Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Isle of Skye, and an ancient truth, far beyond anything he might ever expect to find.

24th February 2008
Documentary on Legendary Musician: Joe Strummer Director: Julien Temple Year: 2007
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten is an accomplished piece of documentary filmwork by Temple, who filmed Strummer’s band, The Clash, at some of their earliest rehearsals. In this film, Temple has crafted and assembled a truly impressive array of footage and interviews, with people, (musicians and other) who have either worked with Strummer or been influenced by him. Even for someone who is, as yet, unfamiliar with Strummer's work, you couldn’t fail to come away impressed by the sheer scope of his musical legacy. Winner - World Documentary - Sundance Film Festival.

9th March 2008
The Classic and the Majestic: Lost Horizon Director: Frank Capra Year: 1937
Social idealist film director, Frank Capra, (Mr Deeds Goes to Town, It’s a Wonderful Life) brings us an early insight into 'the humanitarian' who will always, quite rightly rank top, as a favourite director. The story follows British diplomat Robert Conway and a small group of civilians who crash land in the Himalayas, and are rescued by the people of the mysterious, Eden-like valley of Shangri-la, which is protected by the mountains from the world outside, where the clouds of the Second World War are gathering. Ranked as the Capra film, which surpassed all previous Capras. Winner - 2 Oscars and 5 nominations.