Excited for the Scala Beyond screenings yet? It’s a great celebration of film and cinema taking place all over the UK. I’ve put together a guide to the Genesis Cinema screenings as part of the festival.
Here’s the trailer for the event. Beware – there are a lot of quick cuts and loads of flashy stuff.
The Genesis Cinema has joined up with the Scala Beyond festival and just announced six special screenings, each of which has been chosen by a guest programmer, who will then introduce the screenings.
Thursday 23rd August: Cleo from 5 to 7 (Agnes Varda) chosen by Carol Morley
Carol has chosen to screen Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnes Varda. A benchmark of the French New Wave, the film eloquently captures Paris in the sixties with this real-time portrait of a singer (Corinne Marchand) set adrift in the city as she awaits test results of a biopsy. A chronicle of the minutes of one woman’s life, Cléo from 5 to 7 is a spirited mix of vivid vérité and melodrama, featuring a score by Michel Legrand (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) and cameos by Jean-Luc Godard and Anna Karina.
Thursday 30th August: Petty Romance (Kim Joung-hoon) chosen by Joey Leung of Terracotta Distribution
Jeong Bae is an unrecognised but talented, manwha comic illustrator. His impressive drawings are let down by his terrible stories, so he sets out to find a collaborator. City girl, Da Rim, is a sex columnist – currently out of work and desperate for a new opportunity. The unlikely pair team up and, despite constant clashes, seem to hit on a winning formula when they commit their fantasies to ink. But will the result of their relationship be enough to win top comic book competition prize and bag them $100,000?
Thursday 6th September: The Conversation (Francis Ford Coppola) chosen by Robin ‘Scanner’ Rimbaud
In keeping with his interest in electronic signals and surveillance, Robin has chosen to screen The Conversation, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 thriller about a paranoid surveillance expert who becomes troubled when he believes he has uncovered a murder plot. Despite great critical acclaim and two Oscar nominations, The Conversation was not a popular hit upon its release. It has now, however, been recognised as one of the greatest films of the 70s and of Coppola’s career.
Thursday 13th September: The Third Part of the Night (Andrzej Zulawski) chosen by Mehelli Modi of Second Run DVD
Mehelli has chosen to screen The Third Part of the Night (Trzecia czesc nocy) by Polish auteur Andrzej Zulawski. One of the true mavericks of European cinema, Zulawski and his wild, imaginative and unique films have won awards at many international film festivals over the years. A nightmarish and surreal masterpiece, The Third Part of the Night is his highly influential debut feature film. Set during the time of the Nazi-occupation of Poland and rich with multi-layered symbolism and apocalyptic imagery, it shows one of Europe’s most uncompromising and visionary directors at his best.
Thursday 20th September: Buffalo ’66 (Vincent Gallo) chosen by Danny Leigh
Danny has chosen to screen Vincent Gallo’s Buffalo ’66. Written, directed, scored by, and also starring Gallo, Buffalo ’66 tells the tale of socially awkward Billy Brown, just released from prison for a crime he did not commit. In an inept attempt to re-enter society, Billy kidnaps a young dancer named Layla (Christina Ricci) and coerces her into acting as his adoring wife when he visits his parents. After this encounter Layla continues to accompany Billy on his quest for revenge against the man responsible for his jail term and this odd relationship develops far beyond kidnapper and captive. A stylish and eccentric road-trip, Buffalo ’66 is an impressive debut feature which beautifully showcases its creator’s plethora of talents.
Thursday 27th September: Harold and Maude (Hal Ashby) chosen by Denise Hicks & Jonathan Wakeham of LoCo
Harold is a young man obsessed with death. Maude is an old woman obsessed with life. This is their love story: a story that redefines ”unconventional relationship”, and redefined American comedy film-making. Without Harold and Maud there would be no Wes Anderson, no Judd Apatow (it’s his favourite film), no Cameron Crowe. And no Submarine: Richard Ayoade’s brilliant debut is soaked in its lyrical beauty and his lead actor, the perfectly deadpan Craig Roberts, is a dead ringer for Harold’s Bud Cort. The ultimate cult comedy, Harold and Maude was written and directed by Hal Ashby, the maker of Coming Home, Being There and The Last Detail, and both lead actors were nominated for Golden Globe Awards. Don’t miss this rare chance to enjoy its dark wit and deep charm on the big screen where it belongs.
In honour of Harold and Maude’s unforgettable Cat Stevens soundtrack, LOCO is delighted to be teaming up with Genesis to host Alternative Voices, a live competition for East London’s best undiscovered singers, following the screening. If you’re interested in performing please visit www.locofilmfestival.com from 1st August.
Zipangu Fest and Cigarette Burns Cinema present a Creature Feature Double Bill in 35mm and full extra widescreen TohoScope!
Zipangu Fest is a London-based Japanese Film Festival, which will run from September 14 – 16. As a launch event, they have joined forces with Indie exhibitor Cigarette Burns Cinema to bring us to classic Toho Creature Features!
If you know me at all, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that I have a huge love for all things Godzilla, and anything with giant monsters. The chance to see two of these films up on the big screen – in original 35mm no less – is an exciting prospect!
King Kong Vs Godzilla is undoubtedly the better known of the two (It’s one of only two Godzilla films available to buy in this country. I want my box set dammit!). In this one, King Kong and Godzilla go head to head to find out who is the true king of the monsters. Of course, no masterful stop-motion here, it’s all men in suits. To get the most out of it – watch Kong’s arms. They change length throughout, depending on whether he needs to pick anything up or not!
Matango, Fungus of Terror is one of those real cult gems that I have yet to see, so I’m glad it’s getting a screening! The story follows follows a yacht full of privileged Tokyo-ites who are forced to face their primordial selves after they find themselves washed up on deserted tropical island festooned with clumps of fungus.
The double-bill is at the Prince Charles Cinema on August 22. Tickets can be booked here.
Scala Beyond is a season of great screenings across the country, inspired by the legendary Scala cinema and celebrating all things film. It will run from 18 August – 29 September 2012, which will be perfect for the Olympic hangover we’re all about to have.
The team are currently looking for partners, ideas and suggestions. Find out more at their website: scalabeyond.com