Cuddington and Sandiway Village Hall Film Season begins on September 11th and is crammed with true stories brought to life by sensational performances.
The season starts with Can You Ever Forgive Me? Oscar nominees Melissa McCarthy and Richard E Grant play a magnificently odious literary forger and her lounge-lizard drinking buddy in an adaptation of the life of Lee Israel the best-selling biographer of celebrity stars (and friend to cats).
In October Judi Dench is Red Joan, a widow living out a quiet retirement in the suburbs suddenly arrested for providing classified information to the Soviet Union. As she is interrogated, Joan relives the dramatic events of her life which inspired her to risk everything in pursuit of peace.
The November film is Three Identical Strangers: the astonishing story of three nineteen-year-olds who make the chance discovery that they are identical triplets, separated at birth. The trio’s joyous reunion sets in motion a chain of events that unearths an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes far beyond their own lives.
In December the story is also true but sounds like a fantasy: Rocketman. This follows the spectacular transformation of Reginald Dwight from shy piano prodigy into flamboyant international superstar Elton John. Described by John Nugent of Empire magazine as “A sequin-encrusted delight” that “ explodes with the kind of colour and energy that only Elton John himself could invoke”, this should make a joyful start to the Christmas season.
The entertainment business remains in focus in January with Stan and Ollie. In 1953, with their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy behind them, Laurel & Hardy set out on a variety hall tour of Britain. They re-connect with their adoring fans and the tour is a hit, but Stan & Ollie can't quite shake off the long-buried ghosts of their past and Oliver's failing health starts to threaten their precious partnership.
The February film celebrates a very different but equally tense partnership. In the highly acclaimed Green Book a tough bouncer, looking for work becomes the driver for a snobbish classical pianist on a concert tour into the Deep South. They begin their trek armed with The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for safe travel through America's racial segregation. They endure appalling injustices on the road but discover a friendship and understanding that changes both their lives.
In March there is a return to popular music with a twist. Today everyone knows of The Beatles but in Yesterday directed by Academy Award-winning Danny Boyle, in a strange Beatle-free world, only Jack remembers their songs and he’s about to become a very big deal. This is a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.
Love and football bring the season to an end in April with The Keeper, the incredible story of Bert Trautmann, a German soldier and prisoner of war who secures the position of Goalkeeper at Manchester City, and in doing so become a footballing icon. Bert's love for Margaret helps him to win over even his harshest opponents by winning the 1956 FA Cup, but their love and loyalty is soon put to the ultimate test.
All films begin at 7.30pm Admission is £3.50, including refreshments after the show.All the work for the film nights is undertaken by volunteers and new volunteers are always welcome to join the team. The team would also welcome suggestions for what they might show in future seasons. Further information can be obtained from the Village Hall website.
