Occasional Cinema - BlueSky
Programme in Bangor
For the Caban progamme click here To sign up for emails click here
Screenings are at 7.30pm, food is served from 6.00pm.
We would welcome any film suggestions to info@occasionalcinema.org. At the end of this programme listing there is a list of films under consideration for showing, comments on these films would be appreciated.
Would all Occasional Cinema diners please book their meals at least 24 hours in advance... this gives the chefs a chance to prep the right amount of food without wastage, plan more efficient staffing and therefore keep the price reasonable for our fabulous, enthusiastic and most welcome cinema goers :-)
2012
January 25th
How I Ended This Summer
Alexei Popogrebsky Russia 2010 124 mins 12A
Drama
Gritty, award-winning tale of two meteorologists isolated on a remote Arctic island in a tense allegory about modern Russia.
This film is a must watch for any film enthusiast. It shows the power of camera. The near perfect acting by all the cast(even if the number is just 2) makes this one a memorable experience. A stunning drama on human emotions, relations and communication shot with breathtaking visuals. The plot is simple and the development happens in almost seamless manner through powerful visual story telling, dialogues and voice acting. You will struggle to find any other film which captures the stunning beauty of Arctic like this.
February 22nd
Mary and Max
Adam Elliot Australia 2009 92mins 12
Animation - Comedy - Drama
A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen-pals: Mary, a lonely, 8-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, an overweight 44-year old New Yorker. Narrated by Barry Humphreys.
Oscar winning (and proudly gay) animation artist Adam Elliot's acclaimed clay-mation feature film "Mary & Max" is astoundingly rewarding wonderful entertainment on the big screen. It's an intriguing tale, starting in the mid seventies, of the ongoing true friendship of two long distance pen-pals, younger Mary in rural Australia and older Max in the rat-race of New York City. A significant element of the story involves Max's experience of living with Asperger Syndrome, knowing painfully full well that he senses the world in a radically different way to most. I've never seen any other project deal so honestly and powerfully with that condition. It's a genuine celebration of the value of difference. There's lots to laugh and think about - and the attention to detail is staggering.
March 28th
The Secret in Their Eyes
Juan José Campanella Argentina 2009 129 mins 18
Drama - Mystery - Thriller
A retired legal counselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior - both of which still haunt him decades later.
A film that you can't get your eyes off until lights are back on... and then it's still difficult to stand up. A thriller, with lovable main characters, that makes you smile and think. A movie about a crime and a love. It has one of best chase scenes I've ever seen, involving what seems to be real complex camera work, something that could've been part of a Lord of the Rings movie maybe (at least that is what it looked like from my seat). Simply amazing. The acting is perfect. The pace is perfect. The ending couldn't be better (and we have seen so many great films that spoil it all at the end!).
April 25th
Benda Bilili
Renaud Barret & Florent de la Tulaye Dem Republic of Congo/France 2010 85 mins PG
Documentary
Summer 2009. Five paraplegics and a young able-bodied teenager light up the stage in front of an entranced audience of 8000 people. "Benda Bilili" - in English "See Beyond", is the name of this Kinshasa band which has acquired a global following.
Renaud Barret and Florent de la Tullaye have followed a band made of four homeless paraplegics and three "able" men, the Staff Benda Bilili, from the streets of Kinshasa, Congo, to music festivals in the cities of Europe. Some have guitars and wonderful voices, some have a wire on a tin or pieces of wood to beat. Another success story? Yes, but there is more to it. There are ups and downs, as life isn't always easy in one of the poorest countries on earth, especially when you have just a sheet of cardboard on which to sleep.
Films under consideration
Puzzle
Natalia Smirnoff Argentina 2010 88 mins certificate tbc
Drama
An older housewife discovers she has a knack for solving puzzles, and in the tradition of Shirley Valentine rises above her downtrodden role at home, supporting an ungrateful family.
The Great White Silence
Herbert G Ponting UK 1924 108 mins U
Documentary
Original silent footage of Scott’s doomed expedition to the South Pole recently cleaned up by the BFI
We would welcome any film suggestions (positive or negative) to info@occasionalcinema.org.
For the Caban progamme click here To sign up for emails click here
Occasional Cinema is a film society run by volunteers. Films are shown at the Caban, Brynrefail on the second Wednesday of the month and at the Blue Sky Cafe, Bangor on the fourth Wednesday and unless stated otherwise start sometime after 7.30pm. We do not show films during the summer.
You must become a member to attend a screening. Membership is available on the door on film nights for a cost of £5 per lifetime: the first film is free, after this film entrance is £3.00. Member's guests may watch a film for £4.
Food is usually available from 6.00pm and a sophisticated
clientele enjoy the wholesome food, reasonable price (about £9.50 for two courses) and
excellent atmosphere. Reservations for a meal are recommended and often
essential - Caban 01286 685500,
Blue Sky 01248 355444. You can't book for the film only, which is on a first
come first served basis.
Details of films are available on this website and we send out regular electronic mailings -
please provide an up-to-date email address in the link above.