Event Cinema for May 2015

La Fille Mal Gardee

Lise has the hots for Colas, but her mother, the Widow Simone, wants to marry her off to Alain – the simpleton son of a wealthy neighbour. Dating from 1789, La Fille Mal Gardee (‘The Wayward Daughter’) is a two-act comic ballet that ranks as one of the oldest in the modern repertory. In 1960, Frederick Ashton created this new version, which was inspired by his love of the Suffolk countryside and added elements from the English folk dance tradition. The result is a jolly, sunny feast of hoofing that has remained in the Royal Ballet’s repertoire ever since.

Screening May 5: Cineworld, Odeon, Showcase Cinema De Lux, Orpheus, Vue Cribbs Causeway, Vue Longwell Green

Encore screening May 10: Showcase Cinema De Lux, Vue Longwell Green 

NT Live: Man and Superman

Ralph Fiennes returns to the National Theatre to play John Tanner in this new production of George Bernard Shaw’s philosophical comedy, inspired by Don Juan. Tanner’s a self-styled revolutionary and wealthy bachelor who becomes the reluctant guardian to a charming heiress named Ann. Rejecting the adoration of a poet, she decides to marry and tame our alarmed hero. Naturally, he opts to flee to Africa instead. It all leads towards a philosophical dream-debate about Heaven and Hell with the Beelezebub himself.

Screening May 14: Cineworld, Odeon, Showcase Cinema De Lux, Orpheus, Vue Cribbs Causeway, Vue Longwell Green

ENO: The Pirates of Penzance

Topsy-Turvy director and all-round Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiast Mike Leigh directs his first opera for the stage, which should help to revive the fortunes of the ailing English National Opera. Leigh’s production of the popular G&S comic opera stars Andrew Shore as the very model of a modern Major-General, Jonathan Lemalu as the affectionate parody of the British bobby, Robert Murray as the innocent pirate-apprentice Frederic, and Rebecca de Pont Davies as the older woman who has designs on him. Songs include such favourites as A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One and I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General. The opera is broadcast live by satellite from the London Coliseum.

Screening May 19: Cineworld, Showcase Cinema De Lux, Vue Cribbs Causeway, Vue Longwell Green

We Are Many + Live Q&A

Filmed over the course of nine years in seven countries, with rare and previously unseen footage, Amir Amirani’s documentary tells the untold story of how opposition to the Iraq war sparked a wave of global protest from the Arab Spring to Syria. Celeb contributors include Damon Albarn, Tony Benn, Hans Blix, Richard Branson, John le Carré, Noam Chomsky, Brian Eno, Lindsey German, Danny Glover, Jesse Jackson, Ken Loach and Mark Rylance. The screening is followed by a live satellite Q&A hosted by journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow. Guests include director Amir Amirani, executive producer and comedian Omid Djalili, convener of the Stop The War Coalition Lindsey German and professor of international law at UCL Philippe Sands, with more guests to be confirmed.

Screening May 21: Vue Cribbs Causeway

Stratford Festival: Antony and Cleopatra

Reason and judgement prove no match for the tsunami of mutual passion engulfing Mark Antony, one of the three joint rulers of the Roman republic, and Cleopatra, the seductive queen of Egypt. “Geraint Wyn Davies offers us an Antony of boundless charm and eternal optimism, while Yanna McIntosh presents a Cleopatra of vibrancy and power,” enthused the Toronto Star of Gary Griffin’s production for the Stratford Festival.

Screening May 21: Showcase Cinema De Lux

Exhibition on Screen: The Impressionists

The new international exhibition from the Musee du Luxembourg Paris, National Gallery London and Philadelphia Museum is brought to the screen in this documentary focusing on 19th century Parisian art collector Paul Durand-Ruel, whose decision to exhibit the Impressionists in New York revived a movement that was dying out in its native France. Included are works by Monet, Cezanne, Degas, Renoir, Pissarro and their contemporaries. The film also explores who the impressionists were, how and why they painted, and what lies behind their art’s continuing appeal.

Screening May 26: Showcase Cinema De Lux, Cineworld, Vue Cribbs Causeway

Check the film listings starting here for more details and trailers.