film programme (all films commence at 7:30pm)
TRANSCRIPT
film programme (all films commence at 7:30pm)
film programme (all films commence at 7:30pm)
About us Chester Film Society is a member of Cinema for All, the national organisation which represents and supports the film society movement. Since we began in 1970, Chester Film Society has given the people of Chester and the surrounding areas the chance to experience some of the finer films of world cinema in a relaxing and appreciative atmosphere.
Our programme this season has been chosen to represent a broad selection of genres; many from contemporary World Cinema which have not been seen in Chester. Where the films are in a foreign language there will be English subtitles. We hope that our programme of films will interest, intrigue and entertain. All of our screenings are from disc, wherever possible in Blu-ray format.
Membership Membership adds strength to the Society: the cost for the 2017-18 Season is just £45 and allows free entry to all 19 films. A Membership Application form may be included with this programme, otherwise ask a Committee member or download from our website (see below)
Guest tickets Non-members are welcome to attend any film as Guests and tickets cost £5. There is no need to book tickets, but we give priority to seating our Members, then subject to available seats will start admitting Guests. We’ve always had capacity in the past!
Contact us You can contact us to ask questions, become a member or find out more in a number of ways:
Website: www.chesterfilmfans.co.uk
From the website you can also subscribe to our email newsletters
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01244 371750 for any general enquiries
Chester-Film-Society @chesterfilmfan
Or just turn up at a film and ask any of the Committee!
Please note that all films in the programme are subject to availability and may be
subject to change.
chester film society
Scan the QR Code to go to our website
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Tuesday 12th SEPTEMBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
El Sur Dir: Victor Erice Spain 1983 95 mins Subtitled
Victor Erice’s film is a haunting tale of family secrets and post- civil war loss. Narrated by a 15 year-old Estrella now living in the north of Spain, it is composed of the memories and fantasies of the 8-year old her as she tries to make sense of her life in the South, the rifts in her family and the continuing relationship that her father has with a woman there. “A masterpiece … a hidden gem” – The Guardian Doors at 6:45pm for our Season Welcome Reception with Spanish wine and nibbles
Tuesday 26th SEPTEMBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
I, Daniel Blake Dir: Ken Loach UK 2015 100 min
Winner of the Palme d'Or in 2016, this is the story of an
ordinary working man who, having suffered a heart attack, is
battling with the welfare system. On his mission for an appeal
he encounters a single mother and her two children who have
been forced to migrate to Newcastle from their home in London.
Their relationship brings a lot of warmth and heart to the film as
you see these disenfranchised people help each other because
nobody within the system will.
Donations to Chester’s Food Bank will be gratefully received on the evening.
Tuesday 10th OCTOBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
Personal Shopper Dir: Olivier Assayas USA 2016 105m Both ghost story and suspense thriller, held together by an
outstanding performance from Kristen Stewart who plays a
“personal shopper” to a model in Paris. She refuses to leave
until she makes contact with her twin brother who previously
died there. Her life becomes more complicated when a
mysterious person contacts her by text.
Winner: Best Director, Cannes Film Festival 2016
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Tuesday 24th OCTOBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
Arrival Dir: Dennis Villenueve USA 2016 116 mins Twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world and
Linguistics Professor, Amy Adams, has to find a way to
communicate with them, quickly. She eventually takes a high
stakes risk in order to achieve this. This film is no dumbed-
down remake of “Close Encounters” but a masterly piece of
science fiction writing. It is a well-crafted film that does not rely
on the usual CGI effects for its impact and interest.
“Dreamy, freaky, audacious” – The Guardian
Tuesday 31ST OCTOBER 2017 Halloween Special at
Dead of Night Introduced by Mike Graham Dir: Robert Hamer, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden UK 1945 101m This masterly portmanteau British horror from Ealing Studios is a superb collection of 5 macabre. supernatural tales, which take in haunted mirrors, ghostly children (and golfers), deadly premonitions, and, most memorably, a demented ventriloquist and his treacherous dummy, wrapped in one eerie package and made by 4 top directors of the era. “Still the greatest multi-story ghost/horror picture” - Kim Newman, Empire Tickets are strictly limited to members on a First Come-First Served basis. Details on how to
claim a ticket will be given at our films.
The film will commence at 8:30pm with an introduction by Mike Graham
Tuesday 7TH NOVEMBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
About Elly Dir: Asghar Farhadi Iran 2016 119 mins Subtitled In this gripping psychological drama Farhadi again challenges the sexual politics of current day Iran. A group of friends organise a family seaside holiday but one of the group secretly invites along one of the children’s teachers, Elly (of whom they know little), with a view to setting her up with one member of the group. But a crisis ensues followed by a bizarre disappearance that exposes the tensions within the group. “A really absorbing picture; powerfully acted, disturbing and suspenseful”
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Tuesday 21st NOVEMBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
Aquarius Dir: Kleber Mendonça Filho Brazil/France 2016 1405m Subtitled
Veteran Brazilian actress Sônia Braga gives an inspired performance as retired music critic Clara, a woman determined to remain living in her treasured apartment in the face of pressure from property developers to bulldoze the building. A finely observed and sophisticated character study, this film offers acute meditations on ageing, sensuality and the broader social divisions that consume contemporary Brazil. “It is the duty of people of goodwill to boycott this film” -
Reinaldo Azevedo
Tuesday 5th DECEMBER 2017 St Mary’s Creative Space
Christmas Double Bill Preceded by our Christmas Reception!
My Life As A Courgette Dir: Claude Barras Switzerland/France 2016 66m Subtitled
This quirky stop-motion animation is set in a rural care home for
orphans where 9 year-old Courgette is sent following the death
of his alcoholic mother. A beguiling and tender movie about
abused youngsters finding strength through solidarity.
“A charming and thought-provoking gem” – Empire
There will be a short intermission between the films
The Eagle Huntress Dir: Otto Bell UK/Mongolia/USA 2015 87m Subtitled
(with English narration)
Featuring awe-inspiring cinematography, this film tells the story
of a 13-year-old girl as she trains to become the first female in
twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle
hunter, and rise to the pinnacle of a tradition that has been
handed down from father to son for centuries.
“One of the most beautifully shot movies I have ever seen”
- Indiewire
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Tuesday 9TH JANUARY 2018 St Mary’s Creative Space
I Am Not Your Negro Dir: Raoul Peck USA 2016 92 mins
James Baldwin was one of the most important voices to document
the civil rights movement in the USA. This film was made with
unprecedented access to his original work Whilst it is partly
anchored in the struggle for equality in 50s and 60s America it is
also about what it means to be black in America today.
“An incendiary snapshot of James Baldwin's crucial
observations on American race relations -- and a sobering
reminder of how far we've yet to go” – Rotten Tomatoes
Tuesday 23RD JANUARY 2018 St Mary’s Creative Space
Manchester By The Sea Dir Kenneth Lonergan USA 2016 131 mins Lee works as a caretaker/janitor in a Boston suburb. He’s a
depressive loner whose temper blows with little provocation.
When his older brother suddenly dies, Lee has to return to his
home town of Manchester by the Sea. He is further shocked to
find that he has been appointed guardian to his nephew Patrick,
a role he is not happy about. Flashbacks from his former life,
throughout the film, explain his present life and alienation
Tuesday 6TH FEBRUARY 2018 St Mary’s Creative Space
Black Coal, Thin Ice Dir. Yi'nan Diao China 2014 106mins Subtitled
A dazzlingly stylised neo-noir thriller in which detective Zhang is
assigned to investigate the mystery of the findings of
dismembered parts of a human body. Zhang becomes
traumatised by his task and also becomes involved with the late
suspect’s beautiful widow who works in the local laundry.
“A diverting, downbeat noir, pregnant with unease” – The
Guardian
Winner – The Golden Bear Award, Berlin International Film Festival 2014
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Social Night
SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2018
to be held at
St Mary’s Creative Space
commences at 7:15pm
Film Quiz Short films
Food Prizes!
This annual event is open to all, not just Film Society
members, so invite your friends along!
The evening will include our famous Wall Film Quiz,
Raffle, Caption Competition and Music Quiz.
Some great prizes to be won!
Throughout the evening a selection of short films will
be shown for your entertainment.
Food will be included in the price of the ticket.
Tickets will be on sale nearer the time
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Tuesday 20TH FEBRUARY 2018 St Mary’s Creative Space
The Fencer Dirr: Klaus Härö Estonia/Finland/Germany 2015 98mins Subtitled
Set in the Stalinist era of the early 1950's, a champion fencer on the run from Leningrad’s secret service finds refuge and renewed purpose teaching at a provincial Estonian school. Gracefully filmed with lush and distinctive cinematography, this stirring coming of age tale is filled with affecting performances and a sense of suspense that inevitably fuels a dramatic conclusion. “The best Finnish film in a decade” – Finland Today
Tuesday 13th MARCH 2018 St Mary’s Creative Space
The Innocents Dir: Anne Fontaine France 2016 115m Subtitled A French Red Cross Doctor, Mathilde Beaulieu, visits a Polish convent and discovers many of the nuns have become pregnant by Stalin’s troops stationed nearby. Mathilde and her medical colleagues, who have little regard for the Polish Catholic Church, try to help the sisters – a difficult task in an atmosphere of guilt and shame. “A moving but provocative study of belief, duty, compassion and acceptance” - Empire
Tuesday 27TH MARCH 2018 St Mary’s Creative Space
Graduation Dir: Sebastian Schipper Germany 2015 Subtitled
After an attack before a college entrance exam jeopardises his
daughter's future, Romeo Aldea thinks up ways of solving the
situation, but none of them follow the principles he taught his
daughter. A fascinating and fastidiously complex study of one
man’s moral choices at a crucial juncture in his life.
“Superbly acted, and photographed and edited with forensic precision” - The Observer
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
The 32nd Chester
International Film
Festival
at
Sunday 25th February
to
Wednesday 7th March
2018
Full details
will be
announced
nearer the
time
film programme
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
Tuesday 10TH APRIL 2018 Grosvenor Museum
A Man Called Ove Dir Hannes Holm Sweden 2015 116 mins Subtitled Ove is a man of few words, of staunch principles and strict routines. He doesn’t like his neighbours (or their cats) or their ways and he faces enforced early retirement without his beloved wife who recently died. However, beneath this grumpy exterior lies a story of pathos and sadness and we see life change for Ove when new neighbours move in.
Tuesday 24TH APRIL 2018 Grosvenor Museum
Frantz Dir: François Ozon France/Germany 2016 113m Subtitled Frantz has been killed in the trenches of WWI and every day his fiancée visits his grave. One day she meets a stranger who claims to have been Frantz’s best friend. The film examines the positive and negative effects of lies and the age-old dilemma of whether to trust. “A gripping homage to Hitchcock” The Telegraph
Tuesday 8TH MAY 2018 Grosvenor Museum
Truman Dir: Cesc Gay Spain/Argentina 2015 100m Subtitled A man comes to terms with a terminal illness. Infused with a rich humanity, the understated yet powerful performances of the leads find frequent and endearingly dark comic catharsis - not least through the titular Truman, an elderly bullmastiff that consumes much of his focus as the man faces up to his own mortality. Best film, director, actor – Goya Awards 2016
Tuesday 22ND MAY 2018 Grosvenor Museum
Sweet Bean Dir: Naomi Kawase Japan 2015 113m Subtitled The owner of a dorayaki pancake stall, a man with a troubled past, is confronted with an odd but sympathetic elderly woman looking for work. A taste of her homemade bean jelly convinces him to hire her, which starts a relationship that is about much more than just street food. “A worthy foodie follower to Tampopo”
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
our venues
For our season film programme, we will be at two venues: St Mary’s Creative Space from 12th September 2017 until 27th March 2018 (except for our Halloween Special which will be at STORYHOUSE*), then at The Grosvenor Museum for our last four films from 10th April 2018 to 22nd May 2018.
St. Mary’s Creative Space St Mary’s Hill, Chester, CH1 2DW
The Grosvenor Museum 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2DD
The venue is accessible for wheelchair users and there is a disabled toilet. There is no induction loop.
There is full independent access to the ground floor via a street level lift There are a few wheelchair spaces at the rear of the theatre. There is a fixed loop hearing system.
Parking
There is ample parking in the large Castle Square car park in front of the Crown Court building. There is alternative parking at The Little Roodee. St Mary’s Creative Space: Follow the path through the gap to the left of the Crown Court building and you will see St Mary’s on your right. The Grosvenor Museum: Exit the car park on to Castle Street and turn left. The turn right into Grosvenor Street and you will find the Museum is on your right.
Note: Our Halloween Special film “Dead of Night” on 31st October will be held at:
, Hunter St, Chester CH1 2AR
Doors at 7pm – films start at 7:30pm
film and events diary for 2017-18
September 2017 Tuesday 12th El Sur [and Season Welcome Reception] SM Tuesday 26th I, Daniel Blake SM
October 2017 Tuesday 10th Personal Shopper SM Tuesday 24th Arrival SM Tuesday 31st Dead of Night [Halloween Special] SH
November 2017 Tuesday 7th About Elly SM Tuesday 21st Aquarius SM
December 2017
Tuesday 5th My Life as a Courgette and The Eagle Huntress
[Christmas Double Bill and Reception]
SM
January 2018 Tuesday 9th I Am Not Your Negro SM Tuesday 23rd Manchester By The Sea SM
February 2018 Tuesday 6th Black Coal, Thin Ice SM Saturday 10th SOCIAL NIGHT SM Tuesday 20th The Fencer SM
Sun 25th Feb to Weds 7th March
32nd CHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
at
March 2018 SM Tuesday 13th The Innocents Tuesday 27th Graduation SM
April 20178 Tuesday 10th A Man Called Ove GM Tuesday 24th Frantz GM
May 2018 Tuesday 8th Truman GM Tuesday 22nd Sweet Bean GM
Venues: SM – St Mary’s Creative Space SH – Storyhouse GM – Grosvenor Museum