News Update 02 May 2016
Eddie the Eagle was enjoyed by the patrons who saw it last week, as it dispensed the feel-good factor promised in the trailer and many positive reviews. This week’s offerings have a more serious tone.
Tomorrow’s “A War” was one of the nominees for Best Foreign Language film at this year’s Oscars, and follows a Danish Military company fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Many of the principal actors will be familiar to those who regularly watch Danish series such as Borgen on BBC Four, but interestingly all the second-string soldier parts are played by actual Danish soldiers who had previously served in Afghanistan. This is a thought-provoking drama.
On Thursday we have morning and evening screenings of Truth, based on the memoir by CBS producer Mary Mapes, portrayed by Cate Blanchett “on the form of her life” according to the Daily Telegraph reviewer. Robert Redford playing veteran anchorman Dan Rather, and a fine supporting cast including Elisabeth Moss, Stacy Keach and Dennis Quaid, give us a film that, like Spotlight, explores the ethics of the American news media as they cover controversial topics.
A good number of tickets are available still for all performances.
Finally, please see below policies linked to our box office and latecomers, and Philip Howard’s preview of our exciting June programme.
Tuesday 3 May at 7.30pm
A WAR (15) 2015 Denmark 115 mins (subtitled)
Director: Tobias Lindholm ● Stars: Pilou Asbæk, Tuva Novotny, Dar Salim
Claus Pedersen (Asbæk) is the commander of a Danish military unit, stationed in Afghanistan to combat the Taliban. Meanwhile, back in Denmark, his wife Maria (Novotny) battles with parenthood, caring for her three children alone. Claus’s actions in the warzone take a greater toll on his family when a routine mission goes very wrong and innocents lose their lives – his leadership is questioned and he is forced to stand trial. With rich characters and a riveting plot, A War is a refreshing combination of frontline thriller and courtroom drama. “It’s a riveting, complex film that asks one simple question: what do you do when there’s no right answer?” (Empire Magazine).
Official website and trailer
Thursday 5 May at 11.00am and 7.30pm
TRUTH (15) 2015 USA 125 mins
Director:James Vanderbilt ● Stars: Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid
Based on CBS producer Mary Mapes’s memoir, Truth explores the witch-hunt that engulfed the US TV station after they broadcast a revelation about President George W. Bush’s service in the Texas National Guard during the Vietnam War years. Mapes (Blanchett), her investigation team, and veteran presenter Dan Rather (Redford) are accused of sloppy journalism and worse by rival stations, the right-wing press and the blogosphere. “Blanchett is terrific as Mapes” (The Observer).
Official website and trailer
Tuesday 10 May at 7.30pm
HIGH-RISE (15) 2015 UK 119 mins
Director: Ben Wheatley ● Stars: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss
Set in an alternate 1970s, J. G. Ballard’s novel depicts the gradual descent into savagery of the occupants of a new tower block, as the building shuts down around them. As adapted by fast-rising British director Wheatley (Sightseers, A Field in England) and screenwriter Amy Jump – with a score by Clint Mansell, and an Abba cover by Portishead – this is a gripping spectacle, where humour and violence go hand in hand. Recommended equally for admirers of Ballard’s writing, Wheatley’s films, and Tom Hiddleston! “Visionary film-making, wildly ambitious, very caustic and hitting the bull’s eye of almost every target in its sights” (The Independent).
Official website and trailer
Clocktower Arts Bar Box Office
As our regular patrons know, the Arts Bar box office is staffed by volunteers, who may themselves have booked to see the film. To allow them to do so, and to allow plenty of time for ticket sales, the box office opens for one hour and closes promptly at the scheduled screening time (11.00am, 2.30pm or 7.30pm). To avoid disappointment, please don’t leave buying your tickets until the last minute, as you won’t be able to enter the cinema without a ticket.
Latecomers
Please make sure you are in your seat before the screening starts, straight after trailers lasting only a few minutes. Because of the compact design of the cinema, patrons have to stand up to allow people to reach seats further along a row. This disturbs those already seated and also prevents those behind from seeing the screen. To ensure that all patrons enjoy our screenings with as little disturbance as possible, our policy is:
Stewards cannot take money for tickets – all sales have to go through the box office.
Every effort will be made to accommodate latecomers. However, once the main feature has started, late arrivals will be directed to end of row or front row seats.
If no such seats are available, patrons regretfully will not be admitted. Unfortunately, refunds cannot be issued in these circumstances.
June preview
Philip Howard writes:
Our June programme starts with the brilliant one-take thriller Victoria, moving through Berlin from a nightclub to the quiet late-night streets, rooftops and an empty café, and then… well, that would be telling, but it’s quite a ride for the young Spanish heroine and the audience alike. This is just one of several excellent world cinema titles, along with French/Turkish Academy Award nominee Mustang, Palme d’Or winner Dheepan and the ingenious, irreverent Belgian comedy The Brand New Testament. The latter co-stars Catherine Deneuve, while our other Croydon Comedy Festival title, Florence Foster Jenkins, stars Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. Another, far more serious, title with a familiar cast is drone warfare drama Eye In The Sky, with Helen Mirren and the final on-screen appearance by the late Alan Rickman. This most diverse month also features acclaimed cricket documentary Death of a Gentleman, the gripping sci-fi Midnight Special and freewheeling jazz biopic Miles Ahead.
Tickets for all screenings in June go on sale at 9am this Thursday.
The David Lean Cinema: how to book
Tickets are £8.00. Concessions (persons aged 60 and over, full time students, claimants and people with disabilities) £6.50. Bookings can be made:
Online: via our TicketSource page.
Telephone: ‘Phone 0333 666 3366 (a £1.50 charge applies, which covers any number of tickets). Note that this is specifically a Ticketsource service and staff cannot answer any queries unrelated to bookings.
In person:
At Wallace Arnold Worldchoice: at 62 George Street (close to Wellesley Road, in the part of George Street that joins the High Street). Opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4.30pm Saturday. There’s no extra charge for cash or debit card sales but a 2% charge applies to credit card sales.
Croydon Clocktower: our Clocktower box office, located next to the Arts Bar, is open for one hour before every film. Tickets are sold for all films, subject to availability. This location is CASH ONLY.
All the above services close 2.5 hours before any particular film, with the exception of the Clocktower box office.
Access information: The cinema is accessible via a ramp and lift. Three wheelchair places are available. Email us if you wish to book a complimentary seat for a registered carer.
Adrian Winchester
Campaign Chairman
News Update 27 April 2016
| In a week when many of our supporters have been celebrating Crystal Palace reaching the final of the FA Cup, we look forward to a film (tomorrow) that celebrates a very different sporting triumph: British ski jumper ‘Eddie’ Edwards at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Eddie the Eagle has been internationally acclaimed as a feel-good classic, with (e.g.) a Spanish critic observing “It has the heart and feeling of the great British comedies inspired by true events” (Reforma). Excellent word of mouth enables me to recommend it with complete confidence, but I must warn that only 10 seats remain for 7.30pm, so this looks likely to sell out. Availability for the subtitled screening at 2.30pm is surprisingly good, though. Next week, our May programme begins with the gripping and thought-provoking Danish drama A War (Tuesday), partly set in Afghanistan. Thursday’s compelling newsroom drama Truth is likely to appeal to patrons who appreciated recent true stories such as Trumbo and Spotlight. Looking back, Rams was much-praised by patrons, although some felt that reviews and the poster had over-emphasised the comedy elements. Anomalisa and last night’s The Witch prompted an interesting range of views, with both offering uncomfortable viewing at times. The latter was certainly admired by fans of enigmatic horror from around the 1970s. but proved rather grim for some. I actually liked it more on my second viewing, so would suggest seeing it again! Finally, please scroll down for some advance information on our June programme.
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News Update 19 April 2016
| Our association with the David Lean Cinema places us in a position of some responsibility, which we take very seriously in relation to important occasions such as commemorating the 25th anniversary of the death of ‘our’ renowned director. We can therefore take satisfaction in our Oliver Twist screening being such a memorable occasion. We’re very grateful to Kevin Brownlow for his fascinating and authoritative input, and you can read and see more in the report below. Although A Bigger Splash sold out last Tuesday, I felt the story didn’t quite make the most of the stellar cast, but I wasn’t able to establish whether this view was shared by others. But Hail, Caesar! last Thursday certainly was a hit with patrons, with plenty of laughter heard in the cinema. Please note that this will be shown again in May at the David Lean’s first ‘Babes in Arms’ screening for over five years. See the item below for more details. Tonight we have the very distinctive Anomalisa but be warned that there are only five tickets left, so it’s far from certain that you’ll be able to book at tonight’s box office. Thursday brings our first film from Iceland. Rams is an absorbing tale of two sheep farming brothers, described as “credible, hilarious and poignant” (Radio Times). It has won 28 awards including (for director Grímur Hákonarson) the Un Certain Regard award at Cannes, which encourages innovative and daring works. Plenty of seats are available for 2.30pm but far less for 7.30pm, so hurry if you prefer to avoid the front two rows. Availability is currently good for our extra screening of The Big Short on Saturday afternoon. This tackles the housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s and delivers a scathingly funny indictment of its real-life villains. It won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Looking ahead to next week, I can’t promote The Witch as it has already sold out, but if you’re fortunate to have a ticket, you have a week to prepare your nerves for this unsettling film! For more lighthearted entertainment, Eddie the Eagle (Thursday 28th) is a must. This inspirational story based on Britain’s much-loved 1988 Olympian has proved to be an international success, receiving so much acclaim that I’m spoilt for choice in selecting quotes. Total Film said director Dexter Fletcher has “crafted a movie that’s both universal but also unashamedly, gloriously British. Very funny, genuinely moving and endlessly good-natured.” If you enjoyed The Lady in the Van, I’m confident that you’ll be similarly impressed by Eddie the Eagle, but my committee colleague Janet also strongly recommends it to admirers of Billy Elliott. I AM BELFAST (26 May): epilepsy warning We have been advised: “This film contains a sequence of flashing lights which might affect customers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.”
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News Update 11 April 2016
| We certainly offered diverse viewing last week. In-between Bridge of Spies and Spotlight, Mad Max: Fury Road seemed like a monumental culture shock, rewarding the brave audience with more spectacular action than I’ve ever witnessed in the David Lean before! But Creed was seen by our smallest audience for some time, which shows that even if a film has received exceptional critical acclaim and numerous awards, that doesn’t guarantee that it will cover its costs. Recent months have been a very successful period for us, but there’s no room for complacency as although our mailing list is growing, it’s still only a fraction of the size of the council’s list, when the cinema closed in 2011. Our supporters play a vital role in spreading the word, as indicated in the text that has recently been appearing on the screen before the feature. This short video was produced by Roger Dowling, one of our newer committee members who’s also our sound expert. This week also offers varied entertainment, commencing with A Bigger Splash tomorrow. This Italian/French (but English language) “entertainingly oddball psychodrama” (The Guardian), is set on the remote Italian island of Pantelleria. It has clearly caught the imagination of supporters and with only seven tickets remaining at the time this update was sent, advance booking may be essential. Hail, Caesar! on Thursday is must for supporters who admire the films of the Coen brothers, although this quirky comedy is very different to their last film Inside Llewyn Davis, shown during our first month. Tickets will be available from our Clocktower box office before the 11.00am screening, but only 12 seats currently remain for 7.30pm. On Saturday, it’s fitting that we mark the 25th anniversary of David Lean’s death, via a commemorative 35mm screening of his 1948 adaptation of Oliver Twist (2.30pm). We’re privileged that this will be introduced by film historian, filmmaker and author Kevin Brownlow, who wrote David Lean: A Biography; the definitive account of Lean’s life. He will also participate in a Q&A afterwards. Kevin chose Oliver Twist, saying: “It’s a superb film – the best of all the Dickens films I’ve seen.” He has an intriguing personal connection with it, which he will reveal during his introduction. So, please join us for this special tribute, at a screening of a classic Lean film that combines his masterful storytelling with expressionistic b/w photography. Good seats are currently available and some tickets will probably be available on the day. Finally, please see below a clear statement indicating policies linked to our box office and latecomers.
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News Update 05 April 2016
I didn’t manage to speak to patrons after last week’s sell out screenings of The Big Short and Youth, so I won’t claim to be able to summarise the feedback, although I did hear some of the laughter coming from the cinema during Youth. As mentioned last week, there’s another chance to see The Big Short on Saturday 23 April.
We have four films this week, but our third screening of Bridge of Spies on Thursday afternoon is sold out, and that also applies to our third Spotlight next Saturday, unless you snap up the one seat still available when this update was sent! But Creed (Tuesday) and Mad Max: Fury Road (Thursday) offer welcome opportunities to see two of the best films made in 2015. Creed manages the remarkable achievement of reinvogorating – and drawing a new audience to – a series of films that began 40 years ago with Rocky, which won three Oscars including Best Picture. Creed‘s staggering 42 awards didn’t include an Oscar, although Sylvester Stallone received a nomination. Mad Max: Fury Road, however, won six Academy Awards and also offers stunning visuals unlike any seen in the David Lean for many years. Patrons eager to broaden their experience will be well-rewarded this week!
I expect to be able to include a summary of the policy regarding latecomers soon, but in the meantime please keep in mind that as we don’t screen advertisements, it’s highly desirable to arrive by the advertised starting time. Admission beyond the end of the trailers (we normally screen three) cannot be guaranteed.
Our May programme tickets go on sale on Thursday at 9am. See here for details.
Finally, I’m sure that supporters were sorry to hear the sad news regarding Ronnie Corbett last week. Scroll down to read a tribute which indicates the link between Ronnie and the cinema and Campaign.
| Tuesday 5 April at 7.30pm CREED (12A) 2015 USA 132 mins Director: Ryan Coogler ● Stars: Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad Retired fighter Rocky Balboa (Stallone) reluctantly trains Adonis Johnson (Jordan), the son of his late friend and former boxing rival Apollo Creed. We follow Adonis on a journey of self-discovery as he attempts to redefine himself by pursuing his boxing ambitions – striving under Rocky’s mentoring and guidance to win the heavyweight title once held by his father. Creed pays homage to the original Rocky with bracing and skilfully crafted fight sequences, while Stallone and Jordan are both exceptional. “The themes of love, loyalty, ambition, honor and legacy that lend sinew to the story are delivered with such a clean punch that they feel as fresh as they did in 1976” (Washington Post). Trailer Thursday 7 April at 7.30pm MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (15) 2015 Australia/USA 120 mins Director: George Miller ● Stars Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz In a future desert wasteland where fuel and water are scarce commodities, a group of women led by Furiosa (Theron) ally with prisoner Max (Hardy) in their escape from a tyrannical warlord. Many critics’ choice for the best film of 2015, and indeed lauded as an all-time action great, the thrilling Fury Road stands out for its strong female presence on both sides of the camera, with editor Margaret Sixel and British costume designer Jenny Beavan amongst its six Academy Award winners. “Fury Road is a defiantly individual riposte to those committee-led blockbusters which are built on CGI and designed to sell toys” (BBC.com). Trailer Tuesday 12 April at 7.30pm A BIGGER SPLASH (15) 2015 Italy/France 124 mins Director: Luca Guadagnino ● Stars: Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Matthias Schoenaerts, Dakota Johnson Marianne Lane (Swinton), a famous rock star, and her filmmaker boyfriend, Paul (Schoenaerts), find their holiday on the Italian island of Pantelleria disturbed by the arrival of Marianne’s old flame (Fiennes) and his coquettish daughter (Johnson). After this, their restful sojourn develops into an ordeal of jealousy, passion and, ultimately, danger. Inspired by the 1969 French film La Piscine, A Bigger Splash is a tense, sensuous and comic thriller. Fiennes dominates the film with a standout performance as the wildly energetic and entertaining former lover. “This is often a seriously fun film with a shadier side that’s ripe for unpicking when the curtain drops” (Radio Times). Trailer |
| Ronnie Corbett (1931–2016) Upon hearing the sad news that Croydon’s legendary comedian had passed away last Thursday, my first thought was that it was important to express our appreciation for the part he played in getting the Campaign off the ground. For supporters who didn’t hear my tribute before our screenings of Youth, I’ll include a summary here. A distinctive part of the David Lean’s memorable farewell season of April 2011 was the involvement of “guest curators” Julian Fellowes and Ronnie Corbett; both of which selected films and made a personal appearance. In Ronnie’s case, he chose On the Waterfront, On the Bandwagon, Goodbye, Mr Chips, and David Lean’s classic Brief Encounter. In the accompanying brochure, he said “I have always loved films, they are windows to countless other worlds, inspiring, life-changing, frightening and fun. All these films individually mean something very important to me.” Ronnie introduced Brief Encounter on 20 April – the season’s penultimate evening – and fortunately I was fast enough to obtain a ticket. Despite the gloom caused by the impending closure, Ronnie lifted our spirits with a very entertaining extended ‘introduction’ that turned out to be more like an informal stand up routine, with wife Anne adding the occasional quip from the audience. Crucially, the cinema had clearly made a positive impression on him, causing him to say “We must start a campaign so that this darling place isn’t trashed.” When I tried some online research the following night, hoping but failing to find evidence of a campaign, I discovered was that Ronnie had inspired a piece about the closure written by Steven Downes on the then new Inside Croydon blog. I added a comment that ended with the words “let’s make it happen!”, which can be considered the birth of what soon became the Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign. Although Ronnie’s stirring call wasn’t the only motivation behind the Campaign, it was – along with words that Julian Fellowes kindly gave us permission to quote – highly significant in gaining the local press coverage that ensured that the Campaign’s public meeting at the Green Dragon in June 2011 was very well-attended. That confirmed how strongly local people felt about the loss of the cinema, and the volunteers who formed the committee that met soon afterwards included five people who are still prominently involved in the Campaign today. Much later, in March 2014, Ronnie sent good wishes via his secretary before our launch in the David Lean. Without the spontaneous and sincere words he spoke there nearly five years ago, the Campaign would probably have taken a lot longer to build up momentum and its membership. So, all of us who have enjoyed visiting the cinema during the last two years have very good reason to be grateful to Ronnie. |
| The David Lean Cinema: how to book Tickets are £8.00. Concessions (persons aged 60 and over, full time students, claimants and people with disabilities) £6.50. Bookings can be made: Online: via our TicketSource page.Telephone: ‘Phone 0333 666 3366 (a £1.50 charge applies, which covers any number of tickets). Note that this is specifically a Ticketsource service and staff cannot answer any queries unrelated to bookings. In person: At Wallace Arnold Worldchoice: at 62 George Street (close to Wellesley Road, in the part of George Street that joins the High Street). Opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4.30pm Saturday. There’s no extra charge for cash or debit card sales but a 2% charge applies to credit card sales. Croydon Clocktower: our Clocktower box office, located next to the Arts Bar, is open for one hour before every film. Tickets are sold for all films, subject to availability. This location is CASH ONLY. All the above services close 2.5 hours before any particular film, with the exception of the Clocktower box office. Access information: The cinema is accessible via a ramp and lift. Three wheelchair places are available. Email us if you wish to book a complimentary seat for a registered carer. Facebook and Twitter Over 830 supporters now receive news via our Facebook page, which is a useful resource for anyone interested in screening updates, photo albums and the latest press coverage. For additional reminders and film-related news, you can follow us on Twitter: @SaveDavidLean Adrian Winchester Campaign Chairman |