FILMS 2012 / 13 - Berwick Film Society

FILMS 2012 / 13
PROGRAMME

Welcome to BFS Season 2012/13
With great relish we present our latest line-up of wonderful international cinema to
tempt you into our midst. BFS has gained a reputation for presenting quality independent
films and we believe this season will be no exception. Come and see if you agree!
With titles from Iran, Spain, Denmark, Japan, Canada and more, BFS takes you all
over the world for a £28 Season Pass! 11 inspirational films (plus two free screenings
+ discounts to Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival, 19-23 September, if you buy a BFS
Season Pass by 1st September). Attend five of our screenings and you’ll have saved on
the equivalent door ticket. Of course, we hope you’ll experience them all. Everyone is
welcome.
Our venue’s on-site restaurant, The Maltings Kitchen, offers pre-filmshow suppers from
6pm on our main filmnights and the Stage Door Bar is open for coffee or drinks before
and after, making it a great evening with friends and fellow filmgoers.
See page 7 to apply for a Season Pass, the very best way to support BFS and ensure we
continue to bring you world-class films.
See you soon!
Genni, Maurice and John, the Berwick Film Society Team.
www.berwickfilmsociety.co.uk Email: info@berwickfilmsociety.co.uk Tel: 07779 663860
Berwick Film Society 79 Main Street Spittal Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1RD
Wednesday 26th September 2012 at 7.00pm
Even the Rain (También la lluvia) (15)
LIVE Q&A EVENT WITH DIRECTOR & SCREENWRITER
Spain/Mexico/France 2010 I 1h 43min I Dir: Icíar Bollaín
Cast: Gael García Bernal, Luis Tosar, Juan Carlos Aduviri
Language: Spanish, Quechua with English subtitles
Awards: 16 wins, 13 nominations
NOTE: Please arrive in time for a prompt start at 7pm
A compelling film-making drama which clearly depicts,
through cinematic metaphor and strong performances,
the never-ending circle of the powerless struggling
against the powerful. A Spanish filmcrew arrive in
Bolivia to make a biopic of Christopher Columbus. Soon
the film’s participants confront issues first-hand which
resonate alarmingly with the past. We are delighted to
welcome the film’s director Icíar Bollaín and writer Paul
Laverty to answer audience questions after the screening.
“Bollaín and Laverty offer a cutting, self-critical analysis of their
(film-making) medium while finding an honest and effective
perspective on history” Dave Calhoun, Time Out
“Emotionally charged social cinema unafraid to wear its crusading
credentials on its sleeve” Maria Delgado, Sight and Sound 1

Wednesday October 31st 2012 at 7.30pm
The Well-Digger’s Daughter
(La Fille du puisatier) (PG)
France 2011 I 1hr 49min I Dir: Daniel Auteuil
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Jean-Pierre
Darroussin I Language: French with English subtitles
Lovers of French cinema will be fully familiar with
actor Daniel Auteuil, but here is his directorial debut:
a sumptuous adaptation of Marcel Pagnol’s 1940
classic, in which Auteuil also plays the cantankerous
and protective father of six daughters. Unlike the
original which exudes a raw neo-realism, Auteuil’s
work is a lush interpretation of a young love affair
across a class divide at the start of WWI. Set in
sun-dappled Provence the story, steeped in French
tradition, offers a fond examination of the ties
that bind family and pastoral community. Glorious
cinematography and sweeping soundtrack abound:
Indulge yourself!
“A blissfully uncomplicated pleasure”
Alexandra Coghlan, The Arts Desk
Wednesday 28th November 2012 at 7.30pm
A Separation (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin) (PG)
Iran 2011 I 2hr 3min I Director: Asghar Farhardi
Cast: Leila Hatami, Peyman Moadi, Sareh Bayat, Sarina
Farhardi I Language: Persian with English subtitles
Awards: Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film 2012,
+ 53 other wins,18 nominations
Living with an astute young daughter and a declining
father requiring constant care, a couple’s self-absorbed
wranglings are temporarily sidelined by events which
escalate and shift focus. In this fiercely intelligent
multiple award-winner, Director Farhardi skillfully
portrays the complexities of family relationships, class
attitudes, gender divides and the personal ramifications
of a contemporary culture facing chasmic discord.
“A sophisticated, superbly acted and wholly gripping portrait of
modern Iran” Sukhdev Sandhu, The Daily Telegraph
“This densely plotted, morally complex drama exposes divisions
throughout Iranian society” David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
”It’s a film that pays us the compliment of letting us make up our
own minds” Philip Kemp, Sight and Sound
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Wednesday 5th December 2012 at 7.30pm
Monsieur Lazhar (12A)
Canada 2011 (UK release 2012) I 1hr 34min
Dir: Philippe Falardeau I Cast: Mohamed Fellag,
Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron I Language: French
with English subtitles I Awards: Oscar Nomination
2012 Best Foreign Language Film, 13 wins + 5 other
nominations
A tender portrait of an Algerian refugee hired as a
replacement teacher in a Montreal elementary school
where the children are coping individually with a
recent tragedy. Experiencing grief of his own may not
prepare him for the challenges his questioning young
pupils present.
This compassionate drama based on a play by Évelyne
de la Chenelière deals intelligently with stark realities
yet modestly remains utterly charming (and often
amusing) throughout.
“An Oscar nominee at this year’s Academy Awards and for
good reason, Falardeau’s film is moving, smart and sensitive.
Terrific stuff, in short” Patrick Peters, Empire Magazine
Wednesday 16th January 2013 at 7.30pm
The Fairy (La Fée) (PG) S
France/Belgium 2012 I 1hr 33min
Dir & Cast: Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno
Romy I Language: French with English subtitles
A hapless hotel clerk is visited by an unlikely fairy who
grants him three wishes. On this wisp of a plot the
comic duo spin an ingenious sequence of visual gags
and fantasies which invokes the spirit of the silent
film comedians. The cast includes a myopic waiter,
a strangely conceived baby, a team of female rugby
players and a long-suffering West Highland terrier.
Does this offbeat, sometimes surreal comedy work for
you? Take a chance!
“... A series of elaborately crafted, audaciously executed sight
gags that showcase the duo’s Keatonesque acrobatic prowess
and gawky grace ... The Fairy is an idiosyncratic flight of fancy
– an oddly fastidious blend of slapstick, circus, dance and
trompe l’œil illusionism”
Jonathan Romney, London Film Festival.
S denotes BFS Mid Month Select screening
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Wednesday 30th January 2013 at 7.30pm
In a Better World (Hævnen) (15)
Denmark 2010 (UK release 2011) I 1hr 59min
Dir: Susanne Bier I Cast: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm,
Ulrich Thomsen I Language: Danish with English subtitles
Awards: Oscar, Best Foreign Language Film 2011 + 6
other wins, 18 nominations
The question of whether to turn the other cheek or not is
raised through two parallel lives a man is living in Africa
where he works and in Denmark where he lives with his
son, creating some heated moral dilemmas for this film’s
characters and for us the audience. Danish director Susanne
Bier returns to her trademark exploration of complex human
emotions and an involving, multi-layered narrative for
which she has gained resounding international recognition.
Powerful performances from a convincing cast seal the
excellence of this Oscar winner.
Note: contains a momentary scene of bloody injuries
“An absorbing drama which pushes the viewer’s buttons with effective
intelligence” Trevor Johnston, Time Out
“An involving narrative, strong acting and fine location work on both
sides of the equator” Neil Smith, Total Film
APPLICATION FOR BFS SEASON PASS 2012 / 13 – please complete all in block capitals:
£28 FOR 11 FILMS + FILM FESTIVAL DISCOUNTS
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(Please provide email if you are an email user, as it saves postage costs. We will never pass your details to any third party).
Please write your email address clearly to avoid errors when we email you.
I/We enclose a cheque for £____ for Season 2012/13 (£28 per person, payable to “Berwick Film Society”).
Please mail to: Berwick Film Society 79 Main Street Spittal Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1RD Northumberland.
Website: www.berwickfilmsociety.co.uk Email: info@berwickfilmsociety.co.uk Phone: 07779 663860
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AUDIENCE RESPONSES TO LAST SEASON’S FILMS (2011/12)
Neil Brand – The Silent
Pianist Speaks
excellent good fair poor votes % favourable
78 29 4 0 111 92%
Oranges and Sunshine 105 25 5 0 135 94%
Of Gods and Men 59 41 15 2 117 84%
Loose Cannons 58 41 13 1 113 85%
Animal Kingdom 37 34 12 3 86 81%
Wild Target 64 41 13 3 121 84%
Martins The Printers are proud to support Berwick
Film Society and wish them every success for their
2012/13 season.
Printers of full colour books, catalogues, programmes,
brochures and posters. From one copy to many
thousands we are able to meet your needs.
www.martins-the-printers.com
Berwick Film Society has gratefully received past funding support
towards equipment from Lottery Awards for All and for preview
event attendance from Northern Film & Media.
Wednesday 27th February 2013 at 7.30pm
The Source (La Source des femmes) (15)
Belgium/Italy/France 2011 (UK release 2012)
2h 15mins I Dir: Radu Mihaileanu I Cast: Leila Bekhti,
Hafsia Herzi, Biyouna I Language: Arabic with English
subtitles Awards: Nominated for Cannes Palme d’Or
2011 and César 2012
In a tiny, traditional North African village the women
are expected to daily trek the precarious mountain
path to collect water while their menfolk socialise.
One feisty incomer decides to coax the women into
using the ultimate trump card for persuading the
men to pull their weight. This humanist modern-day
fable explores thorny issues of male/female roles
in a fiercely traditional culture through a bold and
bubbling cous-cous of a film, delightfully spiced with
music and song.
Waste Land 71 30 8 1 110 89%
We also acknowledge with warm thanks the continued support
of Martins the Printers and Simprim Studio in the production of
Bicycle Thieves 32 23 13 0 68 82%
this brochure.
Farewell 62 34 4 1 101 89%
Berwick Film Society is run entirely by a small team of volunteers:
A Screaming Man 36 47 19 4 106 77%
Coordinator: Genni Poole Finance: Maurice Ward
Potiche 52
Film Seasons are programmed by the BFS team.
51 15 2 120 82%
Subscriptions: John Spiers
Stewards: Jessie Dodds, Derek Hood, Kath Keenan, Marion
Matthewman, Jenny Prince, Peter Watts and Sue Watts.
“The proven populist touch of director Radu Mihaileanu (The
Concert) is well suited to The Source, a beguiling, big-hearted
tale of the struggle for female emancipation in an African
Programming decisions are taken on the basis of past audience feedback, purpose-previewing a wide selection of BFS welcomes stewarding help! To volunteer for regular or
village” Alan Hunter, Screeen
films, title availability and the trust of BFS supporters.
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occasional shifts, please contact:
genni@berwickfilmsociety.co.uk tel: 07779 663860
“...beautifully performed and shot with a compelling message”
Anna Smith, Empire Online
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Wednesday 13th March 2013 at 7.30pm
Rope (PG) S
US 1948 I 1hr 20min I Dir: Alfred Hitchcock I Cast: James
Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger I Language: English
Inspired by a notorious murder case and initially a stage
play, Rope makes ground-breaking use of the continuous
camera take within a single stage set to spin a thread of
suspense and to entangle the audience in its theme of
complicity.
It was the first Hollywood thriller to be filmed in colour
and the subtly changing backdrop of a New York skyline
creates a definite sense of real time. With an expert cast
negotiating the dialogue’s darkly sardonic humour, Rope
remains one of Hitchcock’s most original and experimental
creations.
“One cannot understand the truly bold originality of the man
[Hitchcock] without seeing it.” Vincent Canby, The New York Times
“A perverse, provocative entertainment.” Geoff Andrew, Time Out
S denotes BFS Mid Month Select screening
Wednesday 3rd April at 7.30pm
A Royal Affair (En kongelig affære) (15)
Denmark/ Czech Republic / Sweden/Germany 2012
2hr 17min I Dir: Nikolaj Arcel I Cast: Mads Mikkelsen,
Mikkel Følsgaard, Alicia Vikander I Language: Danish
with English subtitles I Awards: 2 Berlinale Silver Bear
wins, 1 nomination
A true story of royal friendship, love and betrayal which
shook Denmark but is little known elsewhere is recounted
in this conspiracy-themed costume drama. The effects
of a relationship triangle between an unhinged king,
his young English queen and the king’s physician who
seeks to instigate social reform, changed the political
landscape of Europe. This affecting account of kindred
spirits challenging the power behind the throne boasts
award-winning lead actors plus Lars von Trier as the film’s
executive producer.
“It is a clear-eyed, morally nuanced and beautifully mounted
picture: terrifically Danish on all counts”
Robbie Collin, The Telegraph
“... beautifully shot recreation of the Danish monarchy’s greatest
scandal” Siobhan Synnot, Scotland on Sunday
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Wednesday 24th April 2013 at 7.30pm
Departures (Okuribito) (PG)
Japan 2008 I 2hrs 11min I Dir: Yôjirô Takita
Cast: Masahiro Motoki, Ryôko Hirosue, Tsutomu
Yamazaki I Language: Japanese with English subtitles
Awards: Oscar Best Foreign Film 2009, 33 other wins, 5
nominations
From one of Japan’s most accomplished directors comes
the gentle story of a redundant young cellist who
returns with his wife to his hometown in search of work.
Enthusiastically applying for what promises to be an
exciting new career, he finds himself in a role which he
daren’t admit to. The narrative requires – and receives –
delicate and sometimes amusing handling (literally), while
giving us the opportunity to witness a sacred part of
Japan’s ancient culture.
“Heartfelt, unpretentious, slyly funny”
Nicholas Barber, The Independent on Sunday
“...you become entranced by his (lead actor Masahiro Motoki’s)
performance, and the gentle clash of ritual and grief, custom and
modernity” Cris Kennedy, Screenwize
Wednesday 29th May 2013 at 7.30pm
Le Dîner de cons (15)
France 1998 I 1hr 20min I Dir: Francis Veber
Cast: Jacques Villeret, Thierry Lhermitte,
Catherine Frot I Language: French with English
subtitles I Awards: 3 Césars + 4 nominations
On the face of it, a film based on a stage play
about a group of men who compete weekly to
find the most idiotic dinner guest presupposes
a storyline in dubious taste. But this adaptation
from one of France’s most successful writerdirectors
works satisfyingly as a comedy of errors
with some supremely funny moments. How can
we resist, then, from placing one little-known
Gallic farce before your eyes as our final choice of
the current BFS Season? Bon appétit!
“Weaves a simple premise into comedy gold”
Lisa Nesselson, Variety
“Brief, fast-moving, well-performed comedy”
Philip French, The Observer
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2012 Wed 19th – Sun 23rd September Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival
Daytime and evening screenings BFS screening and passholder discounts
Weds 26th September 7.00pm Even the Rain (15) * LIVE Q&A EVENT *
Filmcrew and new world opportunists interweave
Weds 31st October 7.30pm The Well-Digger’s Daughter (PG)
Honour at stake in sun-dappled Provence
Weds 28th November 7.30pm A Separation (PG)
Multi-award drama from modern day Iran
Weds 5th December 7.30pm Monsieur Lazhar (12A)
Teacher and pupils learn from each other
2013 Weds 16th January 7.30pm Mid Month Select : The Fairy (PG) S
Whimsical slapstick with hints of Tati
Weds 30th January 7.30pm In a Better World (15)
Absorbing drama of retribution and forgiveness
Weds 27th February 7.30pm The Source (15)
Village women throw down the gauntlet
Weds 13th March 7.30pm Mid Month Select : Rope (PG) S
Hitchcock’s intellectual game of murder
Weds 3rd April 7.30pm A Royal Affair (15)
Intrigue pervades an unstable king’s court
Weds 24th April 7.30pm Departures (PG)
The Japanese art of a dignified exit
Weds 29th May 7.30pm Le Dîner de cons (15)
A supper guest turns the tables
Berwick Film Society screenings are held in
The Maltings, Eastern Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed
on the last Wednesday of each month (varies
at Christmas and Easter), plus two additional
screenings called Mid Month Select, noted with a
symbol. See screening details adjacent. The BFS
season runs from September to the end of May.
A Season Pass costs £28 for 11 films (plus free
screenings and discounts at Berwick Film & Media
Festival, 19-23 September 2012). Apply online via
the website, use the cut-out form in this brochure,
or sign up at any of our filmnights.
BFS filmshows are open to all. If you don’t hold a
Season Pass, you can buy tickets at The Maltings
box office on the night or book in advance online.
BFS reserve the right to replace any film within
this programme if deemed necessary. In such a
case, advance notice will be provided via mailing
and press announcements.
For screening, season pass and film information :
www.berwickfilmsociety.co.uk
Email: info@berwickfilmsociety.co.uk
Tel: 07779 663 860
Front cover: The Source Content: Genni Poole
Design: Simprim Studio Print: www.martins-the-printers.com