Occasional Cinema - Caban
Programme in Caban Brynrefail
For the Blue Sky progamme click here. To sign up for emails click here. Screenings at at 7.30pm, food is served from 6.00pm.
We would welcome any film suggestions to info@occasionalcinema.org.
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
Black Cat White Cat
Emir Kusturica 1998
Crime – Film-noir - Thriller
'Amiably beserk tale of chaos and carnival from Sarajevo-born Kusturica, set among a modern-day Gypsy community living on the banks of the Danube. Petty crime and even pettier punishment ensue, all leading up to an epochally frenzied wedding party full of commotion, frolics and runaway goats. Funny, fascinating and faintly exhausting.'
Monsieur Lazhar
Philippe Falardeau Canada 2011 94mins 12A Drama
An Algerian refugee plays ramshackle Mary Poppins to the kids at a Montreal primary school. Subtle & uplifting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3il9hm14FeU
A Royal Affair
Nikolaj Arcel Denmark 2012 128mins 15 Drama History
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiHnVMHk6YU
Closely Observed Trains
Jirí Menzel Czechoslovakia 1966 93 mins
It's amazing just how many visual sex metaphors director Jirí Menzel managed to cram into 92 minutes, without ever becoming ridiculous or losing the plot. Ostensibly 'Closely Watched Trains' is the story of Trainee Milos Hrma (Václav Neckár) starting his job at the local train station during the Nazi occupation of what was then Czechoslovakia (only I guess it wasn't, because it was officially absorbed by the Reich). Throughout most of the film, the war, complete with what the local Nazi functionary describes as "beautiful tactical withdrawals," is a long way off and Milos has more important matters to attend to. Specifically he's trying to lose his virginity and deal with another problem common to young men everywhere, one which the local doctor advises him to solve by thinking about football during critical moments.
History lessons aside 'Closely Observed Trains' is beautifully shot, well acted, and absurdly hilarious, while still tasting of tragedy. Excellent. Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
2013
The Angels' Share
Ken Loach UK 2012 101mins 15 Drama Comedy
Young Glasgwegian offenders redeemed by community service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhQeWhqs1bA
The Well Diggers Daughter
In pre-World War II France, a father is torn between his sense of honour and his deep love for his saintly daughter when she gets in trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper.
Twenty-five years after rising to international acclaim in Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources, Daniel Auteuil stars and makes a very competent directing debut with this handsome, old-fashioned film, (and remake of the 1940’s classic) adapted from the novel by Marcel Pagnol.
Auteuil plays Pascal, a digger and cleaner of wells: he is a greying widower and the father of a number of daughters living in the Provence countryside. The eldest, and the most beautiful of these is the 18-year-old Patricia (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) who is being courted by Pascal's heartbreakingly humble, middle-aged mate Félipe (Kad Merad). But she, like Hardy's Tess of D’Urbervilles, is to be romanced and ruined by a handsome, unreliable young man from wealthier stock.
Intouchables / Untouchable
Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano France 2011 112mins 15 Drama
After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caretaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsPHXVnt27g
Welcome to the Sticks
Dany Boon France 2008 106mins Comedy
A really charming film. Charming being the word for movies with simple plots, very down-to-earth stakes and the ability to leave you with a big smile on your face afterwards. If you like cross-cultural fish-out-of-water movies you're going to love this story of a postmaster who gets reassigned to the apparently misunderstood (in many senses) northern region of France, and how lives change accordingly.
The English subtitles captured all the nuances of the convoluted wordplay that was obviously happening on screen. This becomes an even more impressive feat when you consider that much of the verbal fun of the movie comes from the various misunderstandings between the French-speaking lead character and the folks who speak in the northern provincial "Schticks" dialect. Capturing these dynamics was not the product of an ordinary clerical translation job: the director, Dany Boon, actually took an active role in ensuring that all the subtitles for the different languages properly and lovingly reflected the nuances and intent of the on screen banter. With truly impressive results.
We would welcome any film suggestions (positive or negative) to info@occasionalcinema.org.
For the Blue Sky programme 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 £10.00 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.