Award Winning Independent Cinema

Elvis Presley – the man and the music – reached a level of fame almost unattainable prior to the digital age. A truly domestic artist (he never toured abroad), at the time of his death in 1977, Presley was the most famous man in the world. Reviewed by Helen Tope It is what this fame requires, the oxygen it needs to sustain itself, that is at the centre of Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, Elvis. Our access to the star is through his manager, the irrepressible Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks) who narrates throughout. While Parker ... Continue Reading

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a genre-busting sci-fi adventure. The story starts simply enough. Chinese-American laundromat owner Evelyn Wang (played by Michelle Yeoh) is exhausted. Between looking after her elderly father and keeping a failing business afloat, her personal relationships have also begun to suffer. Not only is her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) planning to ask for a divorce, her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) has recently come out to her family and the tensions between Joy and Evelyn threaten a permanent rift. On top of all this, Evelyn is surrounded by receipts and paperwork: their taxes are ... Continue Reading

An unflinching account of a young woman trying to secure an abortion in 1960’s France, Happening is based on the novel L’evenement by Annie Ernaux. The book retells her own experiences, when she found herself pregnant in a country where terminations were illegal. Reviewed by Helen Tope Director Audrey Diwan introduces us to 18-year-old student Anne (a phenomenal Anamaria Vartolomei). She is evidently top of her literature class, impressing her tutor with a summary explanation of anaphora. Anne is not only clever, but ambitious. On a visit home, Anne’s mum gives her some money, encouraging her to “buy a novel”. Set a little apart from her ... Continue Reading

Giving fans more of the same is often a sign that a film franchise has run out of ideas. However, when it comes to Downton Abbey, these rules do not apply. More of the same is exactly what’s required. The reassuring familiarity, the usual routines – Carson would most definitely approve. Reviewed by Helen Tope Following on from the 2019 film, where a Royal visit caused a stir above and below stairs, Downton Abbey: A New Era takes us into the 1930’s with news of an inheritance, and a proposition to keep Downton’s finances in the black. Director Simon Curtis wisely begins with stunning ... Continue Reading

A complex study of childhood loyalties, Playground looks at the uncomfortable truths behind what are supposed to be the best days of our lives. Reviewed by Helen Tope Director and screenwriter Laura Wandel focuses on two siblings, Nora and Abel. Nora (played by Maya Vanderbeque) is about to attend the same school as her older brother. Her first day is teary and anxious; her father (Karim Leklov) tries to reassure her that all will be well, she will make friends easily. Wandel’s cinematographer Frederic Noirhomme sets the camera at the children’s level throughout the film, immersing us in their ... Continue Reading

By Helen Tope Applying a freshly creative approach, documentary The Real Charlie Chaplin examines the life and career of film legend, Charlie Chaplin. A true icon of cinema, Chaplin’s image is indelible. The wide eyes, always seeming on the brink of tears; the twitches; the walk that can be imitated but never surpassed. These elements are so familiar we feel as if we know Chaplin, but it is this certainty that the documentary seeks to challenge. The Real Charlie Chaplin begins by debunking assumptions, most notably Chaplin’s development of the Tramp character. As you might expect, there is no one straight answer ... Continue Reading

A sweetly ambiguous love story, British film Ali & Ava is already making an impact. Nominated for two BAFTAs, Ali & Ava not only showcases home-grown talent, it gives a voice to a community not often heard. Reviewed by Helen Tope The film is set in contemporary Bradford and introduces us to the central characters as they go about their day. Ali (played by Adeel Akhtar) is a local landlord. Ebullient and well-liked, he helps his tenants out by taking their daughter to school. It is here he meets Ava, a classroom assistant (Claire Rushbrook). The two are firmly working ... Continue Reading