Category: NEWS

Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, an extraordinary and courageous young girl sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany. She learns to read with encouragement from her new family and Max, a Jewish refugee who they are hiding under the stairs. For Liesel and Max, the power of words and imagination become the only escape from the tumultuous events happening around them. The Book Thief is a life-affirming story of survival and of the resilience of the human spirit.

The Book Thief is directed by Brian Percival and stars Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nelisse, Ben Schnetzer and Nico Liersch.

That’s another fine mess they’ve gotten into! Laurel and Hardy make their return to comics in THE PARK, the new graphic novel from Oscar Zarate which is published this month. Their slapstick antics also inspire the book’s main character, Chris, to fight back against the bullying owner of a dog that bit him. Not surprising, Stan and Ollie are Zarate’s lifelong heroes.

He says, “Laurel and Hardy are part of my life like the books I find myself re-reading through the years, always finding new things, new meanings. There are so many layers, so many social, political and psychological metaphors all ultimately to do with the absurdities of life”.

Oscar has drawn specific scenes from their 1927 silent short, You’re Darn Tootin’ which is the favourite film of the book’s main protagonist, Chris Stein. As Oscar explains, “This is a quintessential Laurel and Hardy film. Their singular relationship creates right from the beginning an unstoppable downhill disaster. It escalates into a perfectly choreographed street fight which is just uniquely original and incredibly funny.” He has drawn some of those climactic scenes in the book.

THE PARK is both an affectionate tribute to the comedians as well as a beautiful depiction of Hampstead Heath’s lively natural habitat.

The story unfolds on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in a North London park. Chris is accidentally bitten by a dog, and kicks out in defence. The dog’s owner, Ivan Grubb, a well-known polemicist, vents his anger in his blog, but by elaborating the story for added effect, he cannot foresee the wider impact his comments will make. THE PARK is a measured examination of how we respond to our confused emotions.

Argentinian-born Oscar Zarate is an award-winning author and illustrator of graphic novels who lives in London. He has worked with Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Alexei Sayle and Iain Sinclair.

THE PARK is published in hardback on 24th October by SelfMadeHero (rrp £15.99).

As Roxy Bar & Screen changes hands to new owners join us for the final Roxy Allnighter.  Featuring 3 classic films plus a bunch of trailers, shorts and more from film club favourites Filmbar 70, Savage Cinema and Aorta Burst Film Club, the final allnighter promises to be a night not to be missed!

Filmbar 70 presents: Top Sensation (Alessi ’69)

Savage Cinema presents:  The Lady in Red (Teague ’79)

Aorta Burst Film Club presents:  Link (Franklin ’86)

Roxy Bar & Screen opened in Summer 2006 in Borough / London Bridge, combining a stylish bar environment with an informal yet hi-tech cinema space.  It quickly develop a reputation for its laidback lounge atmosphere and the “innovative and imaginative programming” (Metro).

Sunday to Thursday sees nightly screenings of the pick of recent releases alongside great nights from some of the best Film Clubs in London including Filmbar70, PassengerFilms and Aorta Burst that feature double-bills, shorts, talks and more.  The hugely popular Film & TV Quiz takes place around once a month, whilst the weekends are turned over to live sport, parties and live events including regular VJ / AV nights and cabaret nights.

Featuring sofas, booths, tables and chairs, the venue offers an alternative to the regular cinema experience, with audiences enjoying an excellent range of gastropub style food alongside a wide range of beers, wines and cocktails, a concept that has recently been picked up by many of the larger cinema chains.

Screenings take place on the large 4metre wide screen in HD with surround sound, and at £4 for most shows offers outstanding value-for-money and a unique experience, which has led the venue to be voted one of the best five independent cinemas in London (Elle Magazine), one of the top ten bars in the UK (Shortlist) and called “…probably the coolest cinema venue in London, if not the UK.”   (Urban Life Magazine)

Kirkstall Abbey’s Gothic Film Festival set against the spectacular backdrop of the 12th century ruined Cistercian monastery in Leeds offers audiences a unique and terrifying Halloween trick or treat experience in this stunning, historic location. A key component of the BFI’s blockbuster Gothic project, bringing the dark heart of film to life on the big screen, the 4-day Gothic Film Festival runs 31st October – 3rd November and is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust and Broadway Nottingham, in association with the National Media Museum Bradford and Showroom Sheffield with support from BFI Film Forever.

The Halloween Opening Night presentation of Murnau’s classic horror, NOSFERATU will see Count Orlock being brought back from the undead with live accompaniment by musicians, Gunter Buchwald, Jeff Davenport and composer/presenter of BBC4’s recent Sound of Cinema series, Neil Brand. Projected within the walls of Kirkstall Abbey itself, providing sensational acoustics for the music as well as the interplay of light and dark shadows, the specially designed auditorium will seat 400 people.

The bloodcurdling programme will also see screenings of classic Gothic titles; NIGHT OF THE DEMON (Jacques Tourneur), WITCHFINDER GENERAL (Michael Reeves), THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (Terence Fisher), BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (James Whale), PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (Carl Theodor Dreyer) with live piano accompaniment by Stephen Horne and THE INNOCENTS (Jack Clayton).

A special Junior Gothic event on Saturday 2nd November with screenings for under 16s including NOSFERATU with live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney. The event will also include prizes for best dressed and most scary Goth. The Festival will cater for the full Gothic experience with storytellers and performers in character, Gothic film extracts and trailers in the Abbey’s Chapterhouse and hot food and drink stalls, with added horror atmospherics of fog machines, dramatic lighting and spooky soundscape to create the perfect Gothic film setting.

BFI Gothic celebrates the very British genius – rooted in literature and art – that gave rise to some of the most filmed characters in our on-screen history: Dracula, Frankenstein and Jekyll & Hyde. Gothic introduced the nation to sex, unleashing dark passions and breaking taboos along the way, circumventing what was acceptable to view on screen and then selling it to America – who imported the genre with true bloodlust.

Gothic Film Festival tickets are on sale now at the Carriageworks 0113 224 3801 and 31st October – 3rd November Kirkstall Abbey, door sales only.

www.gothicfilmfestival.co.uk (live from 9th October)