Time: 19:30 onwards for a 20:00 start. 19:00 onwards for a 19:30 start.
We had to purchase the DVD of the film (the version available on YouTube is unsuitable for watching on the silver screen) and so we shall be asking for a €2 contribution to defray the cost.
A discussion about the film has often been mooted but has proved difficult to arrange. On this occasion we propose to have a five minute break at the end of the film. Those who wish to leave can do so during the break, but for those who would like to stay and discuss the film we will rearrange the chairs and provide wine and nibbles to ensure a convivial atmosphere for discussion.
Brian and Charles
Brian is a lonely inventor in rural Wales who spends his days building quirky, unconventional contraptions that seldom work. Undeterred by his lack of success, he soon attempts his biggest project yet. Using a washing machine and various spare parts, he invents Charles, an artificial intelligence robot that learns English from a dictionary and has an obsession with cabbages.
Rebetiko
The story of a group of Rembetes, singers and musicians of the Greek equivalent to the blues, in the early decades of the 20th century, seen through the eyes of a young female singer. Unfortunately (as you can see), I’m unable to embed a YouTube clip from the film – but you should be able to click and visit the clip yourself.
The Woman King
In the 1800s, a group of all-female warriors protects the African kingdom of Dahomey with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Faced with a new threat, Gen. Nanisca trains the next generation of recruits to fight against a foreign enemy that’s determined to destroy their way of life.
Chris has proposed three films (see below) for us to watch this month. Please nominate the film of your choice by posting a comment below on this page. Nominations close on 15th April.
As an optional extra we can meet for an after-film discussion the following afternoon at 15:00 at Hades in Agios Nikolaos.
Catherine Called Birdy
The year? 1290. In the Medieval English village of Stonebridge, Lady Catherine (known as Birdy) is the youngest child of Lord Rollo and the Lady Aislinn. Her playground is Stonebridge Manor, a house that, like the family, has seen better days. Financially destitute and utterly greedy, Rollo sees his daughter as his path out of financial ruin by marrying her off to a wealthy man for money and land. But Birdy, like all the great teen heroines, is spirited, clever and adventurous – and ready to put off any suitor that comes calling in increasingly ingenious ways. Her imagination, defiance and deep belief in her own right to independence put her on a collision course with her parents. When the most vile suitor of all arrives, they are presented with the ultimate test of love for their daughter.
Young Frankenstein
A young neurosurgeon (Gene Wilder) inherits the castle of his grandfather, the famous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. In the castle he finds a funny hunchback called Igor, a pretty lab assistant named Inga and the old housekeeper, frau Blucher -iiiiihhh!-. Young Frankenstein believes that the work of his grandfather is only crap, but when he discovers the book where the mad doctor described his reanimation experiment, he suddenly changes his mind…
The Straight Story
A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) learns one day that his distant brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver’s license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.
Andrea and Mario have proposed three films (see below) for us to watch this month. Nominations have now closed and the selection is … V for Vendetta, which won by a single vote over both The Duellists and The Lives of Others.
Location: Carol & Jayne’s House, Agios Nikolaos (see below).
Date: Saturday, 25th March
Time: 19:00 onwards for a 19:30 start.
After last month’s great success – Babette’s Feast – many people expressed a desire to discuss the film, after some time for overnight reflection. So this month as an optional extra we can meet for an after-film discussion the following morning at 10:30 at Hades in Agios Nikolaos.
Carol & Jayne’s house is directly opposite Vrahos Apartments and immediately next to Stephanou Inn in Agios Nikolaos. It’s the new house, set back about 40 metres from the road. Parking is limited, so please use one of the car parks in the village: it’s only a 2 minute walk. You are welcome to bring drinks and nibbles, but please ensure that you take any rubbish back home with you.
The Lives Of Others
In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way.
The Duellists
Armand d’Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Féraud (Harvey Keitel) are French soldiers under Napoleon. A trivial quarrel between d’Hubert and Féraud escalates into a lifelong grudge, and, as war rages on, the officers repeatedly challenge one another to violent sword and pistol duels. After 15 years, both men have distinguished themselves through their service and become generals, however, their mutual hatred never ceases, even when the initial cause of their rivalry is forgotten.
V for Vendetta
Following world war, London is a police state occupied by a fascist government, and a vigilante known only as V (Hugo Weaving) uses terrorist tactics to fight the oppressors of the world in which he now lives. When V saves a young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) from the secret police, he discovers an ally in his fight against England’s oppressors.
Please bring warm clothing – Kerry tells me the heating will be on, but better safe than sorry – and something soft to sit on.
Saving Grace
Saving Grace. British comedy starring Brenda Blethyn and Craig Ferguson. Set in Cornwall, the film tells the story of a middle aged widow whose irresponsible husband left her in an enormous debt, forcing her to grow cannabis in her greenhouse along with her gardener Matthew to avoid losing her house.
Some Like It Hot
Some Like It Hot. Two struggling musicians witness the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and try to find a way out of the city before they are found and killed by the mob. The only job that will pay their way is an all girl band so the two dress up as women. In addition to hiding, each has his own problems; One falls for another band member but can’t tell her his gender, and the other has a rich suitor who will not take No, for an answer. The film is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time.
Babette’s Feast
Babette’s Feast. Beautiful but pious sisters Martine (Birgitte Federspiel) and Philippa (Bodil Kjer) grow to spinsterhood under the wrathful eye of their strict pastor father on the forbidding and desolate coast of Jutland, until one day, Philippa’s former suitor sends a Parisian refugee named Babette (Stéphane Audran) to serve as the family cook. The film won the 1987 Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and the BAFTA Film Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
