Film
Polite Society + Intro by Anna Smith – Art of Action
Dir. Nida Manzoor, UK, 2023, 103 mins. Cast. Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Renu Brindle.
Join us for this special screening of Polite Society, presented by the Film Critic and Girls On Film podcast host Anna Smith, as part of the BFI’s Art of Action season.
This genre-blending British feature debut weaves action and comedy into a spirited tale of a young martial artist who makes an elaborate attempt to prevent her sister’s wedding.
16-year-old Ria K is an aspiring stuntwoman living with her family. Loyal to her older sister Lena, she’s aghast when Lena becomes engaged to surgeon Salim – the charming, wealthy scion of the prominent Shah family – and announces their imminent move to Singapore. Is it sibling envy, or is something genuinely awry? After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence, sisterhood and all stuntwomen, alive and dead.
This dynamic, energetic and wickedly funny film tells an Austen-esque tale of two sisters via anarchic genre shifts that take in action comedy, martial arts, Bollywood and social horror. Beautifully designed, fantastically choreographed and boasting a tremendously witty, punchy script, it’s the ultimate action smash-up which sets new levels for a genre which borrows and blends from the best.
This screening is part of Art of Action: Kicking It a season that celebrates the women who have advanced action cinema both on and off-screen.
The season is supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network (FAN).
For detailed information about the film's age rating and content notices, you can visit the BBFC website and search the film title, then scroll down to the “Content Advice” section: www.bbfc.co.uk
Season Pass: Get a discount (each ticket for £6) when you book tickets for the 3 films in the Art of Action season at the same time.
Join us for this special screening of Polite Society, presented by the Film Critic and Girls On Film podcast host Anna Smith, as part of the BFI’s Art of Action season.
This genre-blending British feature debut weaves action and comedy into a spirited tale of a young martial artist who makes an elaborate attempt to prevent her sister’s wedding.
16-year-old Ria K is an aspiring stuntwoman living with her family. Loyal to her older sister Lena, she’s aghast when Lena becomes engaged to surgeon Salim – the charming, wealthy scion of the prominent Shah family – and announces their imminent move to Singapore. Is it sibling envy, or is something genuinely awry? After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence, sisterhood and all stuntwomen, alive and dead.
This dynamic, energetic and wickedly funny film tells an Austen-esque tale of two sisters via anarchic genre shifts that take in action comedy, martial arts, Bollywood and social horror. Beautifully designed, fantastically choreographed and boasting a tremendously witty, punchy script, it’s the ultimate action smash-up which sets new levels for a genre which borrows and blends from the best.
This screening is part of Art of Action: Kicking It a season that celebrates the women who have advanced action cinema both on and off-screen.
The season is supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network (FAN).
For detailed information about the film's age rating and content notices, you can visit the BBFC website and search the film title, then scroll down to the “Content Advice” section: www.bbfc.co.uk
Season Pass: Get a discount (each ticket for £6) when you book tickets for the 3 films in the Art of Action season at the same time.
