MARY AND THE WITCH'S FLOWER

Japan: 103mins : 2017 : English Version : Certificate ‘PG’

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebyashi

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Family Friendly Cinema : UNDER 14'S FREE

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1PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM 

TICKETS £6

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Young Mary follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest and discovers an old broomstick and the rare Fly-by-Night flower. Suddenly, she is whisked high above the clouds to Endor College - a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening, and when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try and set things right. Based on Mary Stewart’s classic children’s book, this is an action-packed film full of jaw-dropping, imaginative worlds and ingenious characters. This English language version features the voices of Kate Winslet and Jim Broadbent. 

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Plus short film Huggins

CHASING TRAINS

UK : 80mins : 2018 

Directed by Donna Lipowitz

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1PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE  TICKETS £6

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Chris Eden-Green has been producing films about steam trains since 2012, with fans regarding them as ‘ Top Gear  for steam’. With friends Sam and Adam he drives from Kent to the Netherlands, then on to Germany, where they are challenged by the weather and unfamiliar timetables at Brocken Mountain, in the beautiful Harz National Park in Saxony, as they try to capture on film some magnificent steam trains - if only the damned weather would behave itself! This very affectionate documentary will charm anyone who has ever admired these magnificent machines, and those who seek to record them for posterity. 

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Introduced by participant Sam Browm

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Plus short film Perfect Baby, introduced by director Paul Rodriguez

Set in a dystopian present, Jason and Emily Walker want to have a baby, but the government has strict rules that present them with challenges. The process is revealing, but not in the way they expected.

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Written & Directed by Paul Rodriguez, Stars Tawny Fontana and Marek Platek

DO SOMETHING, JAKE

THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES

UK : 84mins : 1960: BW : Certificate ‘U’ 

Directed by Charles Crichton

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3:30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE TICKETS £6

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Well-known local journalist Tom King will introduce a screening of this rarely seen comedy with a profile of its star, Peter Sellers. When an American businesswoman is sent to look into potential export markets, she meets a company manager who has inherited his father’s textile business and wants her advice on updating it to modern standards. Before long she is introducing all sorts of new-fangled ideas and the employees desperately implore Mr. Martin (Sellers) to lead the fight against the interloper. Wonderful support comes from Constance Cummings and Robert Morley. Don’t miss this rare chance to see this classic comedy. 

Sponsored by Brera

LIFE AFTER

UK : 97mins : 2019 : Certificate ‘15’

Directed by Ben Lettieri

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6PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM 

TICKETS £6

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Life After follows a close-knit group as they deal with the devastating and delicate issues surrounding depression and suicide, in particular the devastation left after a loved one has taken this tragic path. The film follows James’ story, as he sinks into depression, and how his friends and family deal with the aftermath of his actions. Inspired by real-life events, this powerful, at times disturbing, film takes an uncompromising look at a very difficult subject, with the hope that the light it shines will help others facing this awful situation. Introduced by director Ben Lettieri and writer Lliam Coker + Circle of Support: Introduced by Michelle Passfield (Founder, WellbeingMatters) and Jennifer Farfort (Child of the Sun Films)

Introduced by director Ben Lettieri and writer Lliam Coker  

Plus short film Circle of Support, Introduced by Michelle Passfield (Founder, WellbeingMatters) and Jennifer Farfort (Child of the Sun Films)

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‘Circle of Support’ is a mental health short film, produced by WellbeingMatters, a mental health peer support group based in Southend-on-Sea. The film hopes to improve awareness and highlight the importance of support networks for those living with mental health issues. The film, shot in different locations throughout Southend-on-Sea, features 17 individuals who speak freely and honestly about support they receive or provide.

DOGMAN

Italy : 103mins : 2018 : Subtitles : Certificate ‘15’ 

Directed by Matteo Garrone

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6PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE 

TICKETS £6

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The latest drama from the director of Gomorrah features a Cannes Best Actor award-winning performance from Marcello Fonte as a small and gentle dog groomer who only wants two things: to look after his dogs and take his daughter on exotic holidays. But to fund this lifestyle he runs a side business which has more unsavoury clientele, and he soon finds himself involved in a dangerous relationship of subjugation with Simone, a violent former boxer who terrorises the neighbourhood. But when Simone exploits him once too often, Marcello must make a crucial and potentially dangerous decision in order to regain his dignity. + Human Cargo: Introduced by director Rory Joscelyne 

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Plus short film Human Cargo Introduced by director Rory Joscelyne 

Set in a future where Britain has a system in place to regulate the birthrate, Joanna and Greg are police officers assigned to collect women who breach this law and take them into custody for emergency procedures. The latest drama from the director of Gomorrah features a Cannes Best Actor award-winning performance from..

AXMAN

UK : 90mins : 2019  : Certificate '18'

Directed by Marc Blake

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8:30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM 

TICKETS £6

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World Premiere. After being told they are broke, ageing 70s rock band Smokescreen gather in a remote underground recording studio to create a comeback album. Because of their old bad habits they are locked in but, once their manager has left, old wounds are quickly reopened – and then really bad things start to happen… This twisted modern whodunit, touching on envy, celebrity and mortality, has been ably described as ‘Agatha Christie meets Spinal Tap ’. Revenge is definitely a dish to be served cold – but with a glass of decent white wine!   

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Introduced by director Marc Blake

Plus short film Smack Edd

Heroin addict Edd unexpectedly turns up to his son Patrick’s eighth birthday celebration, Mum Fran and her new partner Mark must do everything to make sure he doesn’t ruin the party. A social realist slice-of-life that looks at the consequences of addiction through the relationships of a dysfunctional family.

Sponsored by AGH Event Bars

THE FENCER

Finland - Estonia : 99mins : 2015 : Subtitles : Certificate 'PG' 

Directed by Klaus Härö

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8:30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE 

TICKETS £6

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Fleeing from the Russian secret police because of his controversial past, Endel, a young Estonian fencer, returns to his homeland, where he begins to train a group of young children in the art of fencing. He becomes close to the children, many of them orphans, but, when the opportunity comes to participate in a prestigious tournament in Leningrad, he has to choose between letting his students down or putting his life in danger. This powerful film, nominated as Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes, is based on the real life story of Estonian fencer Endel Nelis (1925-1993).

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Plus short film Ladies Most Deject

Charlie, a 17 year old girl from deep in the Appalachian mountains, must save her sisters and little brother from her addict mother and drug dealer uncle. Nowhere to go, the kids are met by a trusted teacher who finds them a safe place, if only for one night.