PRESS RELEASE
Cinema at the Dukes in January 2002
The Dukes starts 2002 with more fantastic films, from cool American independent films to groundbreaking classics from the Stanley Kubrick retrospective to the short film programme to colourful Bollywood plus many more!
Gohatto (15) Sun 6th — Mon 7th
A mesmerising film from Japan that tells a darkly comic story set in a Kyoto barracks in the mid 1860s. When an androgynous new recruit arrives, he inflames the passions of his Shinsenguni comrades so much that some consider death a small price to pay for his favours. Simmering with sexual tension this is a film about the passing of the Samurai, loyalty, care of outward appearance and the need for thought before action. Marvellous stuff.
Enigma (15) Mon 7th — Thurs 10th
Starring Kate Winslett and Jeremy Northam, this film is based on Britain’s wartime code breakers. Tom, a mathematical genius recovering from a breakdown, resumes work at Bletchley Park with a brief to crack the Nazis’ infamous Enigma code. He also finds himself discovering that an old friend has been involved in something quite sinister which draws the attention of an agent. A brilliant recreation of Bletchley with a fine script from Tom Stoppard.
George Washington (15) Tues 8th — Wed 9th
First time writer/director David Green points his camera at a skinny black kid growing up in a squalid North Carolina town and asks, What is it that makes someone a hero? Shy and tongue tied, George doesn’t seem overly bright for his age, but Green leaves us in no doubt that George is indeed the stuff of heroism; a fantasist, a romantic, an innocent who perseveres against the odds. Original, unique and a crime to miss it.
Centre of the World (18) Thur 10th — Fri 11th
This film focuses on the impact of cyberspace on people’s sexual needs and lives. Florence, a lap dancer, sets out her rules: no penetration, no kissing on the mouth, no talk of feelings and all contact between 10pm and 2am with $10,000 upfront. Richard a young multi-millionaire has immersed himself into the world of computers and it has left him unaccustomed to and in need of human contact. The film bristles with sexual tension as it examines personal boundaries.
Iron Ladies (15) Fri 11th
A Thai volleyball movie with the teams made up of gays, lesbians and lady boys! The squad is made to endure all types of obstacles en route to the big championship and the director wisely employs a blend of slapstick and sentiment making the film effortlessly entertaining.
Paths of Glory (15) Sun 13th
A Kubrick film from 1957 starring Kirk Douglas, Adolphe Menjou and Ralph Meeker. Paths of Glory bitterly attacks the French military authorities in WW1 through an account of the court-martial and execution of three blameless privates. This film is politically and emotionally rooted in Kirk Douglas’ astonishing performance as the condemned men’s defender. The fact it was banned in France for 18 years on political grounds confirms just how powerful it is.
Amores Perros (18) Mon 14th 7.30pm
A return screening for one of the best films of 2001. Director Inarittu blends three stories effortlessly together. Set in Mexico City the stories involve two young men who rise to the top in an illegal dog-fighting racket, a supermodel, her partner and her dog and an ex-political activist turned contract killer; they are all linked by a horrendous car crash. Fast, furious, thoroughly gripping from start to finish — don’t miss it second time around!
What’s Cooking? (12) Thur 17th — Fri 18th
From the director of Bhaji on the Beach comes this study of four seemingly very different families preparing for thanksgiving in LA. Audrey wants an elegant dinner, Elizabeth prepares a Hispanic feast, Trin regrets that her kids prefer MacDonalds and the Seeligs bravely try to accept their daughter’s lesbianism. Different races and cultures depicted with humour and insight.
Free Cinema (Part One) (U) Thur 17th 8.30pm
Four short films that launched the Free Cinema movement in the 1950s and early 1960s, a movement by young film makers towards documenting aspects of British culture in a radically new way. This meant filming the lives of "ordinary people" in London and other British cities in a self-consciously cinematic style. These are some of the freshest filmic documents ever produced in this country. This is the original programme that was screened at the National Film Theatre in February 1956.
The Score (15) Fri 18th — Sat 19th
With Robert deNiro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando. DeNiro stars as Nick Wells, an ageing master thief who owns a jazz club and who is looking to retire from crime. Mayhem ensues when a younger thief blackmails him into doing one last job; steal a priceless 400-year-old sceptre. But as the intricate robbery unfurls it becomes clear that betrayal cuts all ways!
Dr Strangelove (PG) Sat 19th 8.30pm
Kubrick’s cynical vision of technology and human stupidity is wedded with Terry Southern’s sparkling script to create a hilarious film starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and Slim Pickens. The world comes to an end due to a mad US General’s paranoia about women and commies. The film is scary and nightmarishly beautiful, far more effective in its portrayal of insanity and call for disarmament than some anti-nuke documentaries.
Annie Hall (15) Sun 20th — Mon 21st
This film strikes all the right chords as a romantic comedy, which in its day was completely contemporary, influencing the likes of Ally McBeal, Dawson’s Creek and This Life, and is still far better and funnier than the all those. Woody Allen’s screwball comedy is full of his neurotic hang ups with razor-sharp one-liners, the observations of Manhattanite manners are keen and the romantic stuff is even quite touching.
The Pledge (15) Tue 22nd — Wed 23rd
Directed by Sean Penn and starring Jack Nicholson as retired homicide detective, Jerry Black. His last day on the force co-incides with a brutal child sex-murder. Jerry swears he will bring the killer to justice. However, another colleague finds the killer and the case seems open and shut, but Jerry can’t let go.
Nicholson gives a powerful portrayal and Penn creates a captivating psychological thriller.
Free Cinema Retrospective part 2 (U) Thurs 24th 8.00pm
The influence of this liberating movement towards the democratic and the everyday is clear in these fascinating observations of life in the UK in the 1950s and 60s. Very much a counterpart to the kitchen sink school of British New Wave realism in feature films at this time.
Pandaemonium (15) Fri 25th — Sat 26th
From the director of The Filth and the Fury about the Sex Pistols comes more drug abuse and soul destruction. Julien Temple depicts the world of 19th century English Romantic Poets and focuses on the relationship between Wordsworth, played by John Hannah and Coleridge, played by Linus Roache. A visually stunning biopic.
Asoka (PG) Sun 27th 6.30pm
An exciting, colourful and commercial film that will delight fans of world cinema. A Prince in disguise, lovers who are born enemies, political assassination, devious relatives — all universal elements in this sweeping historical epic.
The Others (15) Mon 28th — Wed 30th
A wonderfully sophisticated and chilling ghost story set in 1940s Jersey starring Nicole Kidman as young mother Grace living with two children in a secluded mansion and a husband missing in action. A series of ghostly encounters with servants and the apparition of her husband ensue in what appears to be a battle for the souls of the children. Marvellous.
Psychedelic 60s-70s Retrospective (U) Thur 31st
From Britain’s most innovative film-makers at the time come some unmissable short films: San Francisco, Solar Flare Burn for You, Love Affair, Meatdaze and Sunflowers are a few of the titles screened. It is very rare to see them, let alone on the big screen!
Ends 02.01.02