Projects
Here's a list of films that are screening with Flicks in the Sticks.
Beautifully framed and shot, this is the best film about the impact of the Holocaust I have ever seen, made without a single image of the concentration camps. August 1945, the war is ending. Two Jews arrive at a remote rural railway station. As the villagers prepare for a big wedding, word spreads like wildfire, sending them into a panic of paranoia and recrimination. The local ‘big man’ in particular is desperate to cover up how he profited from the Jews being deported. Tautly told using the camera rather than too many words, this slowly ratchets up the tension to a stunning, thought-provoking finale that lingers long in the mind.
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers-and falls in love with-struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer, until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
ALL IS TRUE is a biographical drama in which William Shakespeare retires from his writing career to spend time with his family.
Based on the true story of the ill-fated 13th Apollo mission bound for the moon. Astronauts Lovell, Haise and Swigert were scheduled to fly Apollo 14, but are moved up to 13. It's 1970, and The US has already achieved their lunar landing goal, so there's little interest in this "routine" flight.. until that is, things go very wrong, and prospects of a safe return fade.
Adapted with great sensitivity and invention from Isak Dinesen’s short story (itself inspired by The Tempest), this truly lovely tale of everyday passion, magic and miracles is a delicacy to savour. Relocating the story from a bourgeois Norwegian port to a remote, windswept Jutland hamlet so steeped in Lutheran spirituality it feels like something out of a Dreyer film, Axel traces the strange chain of events that led to the two elderly daughters of a famously pious pastor taking on, as their cook, a Parisienne who was until the advent of the Commune one of the city’s most celebrated chefs. At once poignant and funny, gently ironic and quietly compassionate, the story – beautifully performed by all concerned, but most especially by Audran, clearly relishing her role as a gastronomic wizard – casts its spell carefully yet confidently, culminating in the titular banquet: improbable, mouthwatering, and supremely regenerative.
The 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs became the most watched televised sports event of all time. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. With her husband urging her to fight for equal pay, the private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past.
This powerful, amusing depiction of the race divide in 1980s USA can be enjoyed by all audiences, but is specially geared towards those of us who have never had to live with the repercussions of racism. When Rob, Colorado Springs first black officer goes undercover to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan all sorts of shenanigans follow. Lee wrings as many laughs as possible from a farcical situation, the hapless KKK and the reactions of Rob’s police colleagues. Revealing the horrors of white racism from lynchings and segregation to Trump and his clowns, you will laugh, but also feel weird and uneasy. This may be the year's most important and relevant piece of cinema, highly recommended.
This is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, tracing the band’s meteoric rise. They reach unparalleled success but Freddie shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career, only to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. Facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music
Lee Israel made her living in the 1970's and 80's profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. When Lee is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack. An adaptation of the memoir "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" relays the true story of the best-selling celebrity biographer (and friend to cats).
Two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold hypnotize their head teacher into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants.
After marrying successful Parisian writer Henry Gauthier-Villars, known commonly as "Willy", Gabrielle Colette is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. Colette, in turn, pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a bestseller and a cultural sensation. After it's success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels. Colette's fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion and sexual expression.
Within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.
Based on Naomi Alderman's book, the film follows a woman as she returns to her Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her decades earlier for an attraction to a female childhood friend. Once back, their passions reignite as they explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality.
This thought-provoking cinematic journey follows a Dutch family who roam the globe in search of a new perspective on life. During their five-year journey they live with tribal communities around the world who share their ancient, earthly wisdom. From the Amazon to the jungles of India, from the Australian outback to the Kalahari Desert we meet one-to-one with the Earth Keepers. Humble, connected individuals who have something that most of us have lost completely. They are still connected to the Earth, the elements and to the Other Worlds. This poignant, timely reflection on our civilized world and a more spiritual way of living is both a wake up call and a resurgence of hope for our future.
A group of Earth children (jncluding a very young Drew Barrymore) help a stranded alien botanist (ET) return home in Spielberg's classic film. If you're looking for a film with that family, heartwarming feeling, look no further than E.T.
EARLY MAN is the new prehistoric comedy adventure from four-time Academy Award(r)-winning director Nick Park and AARDMAN, the creators of WALLACE AND GROMIT and SHAUN THE SHEEP. Shot in Aardman's own distinctive style, the film will take audiences on an extraordinary journey into an exciting new world, unleashing an unforgettable tribe of unique and funny new characters voiced by an all-star British cast. Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, EARLY MAN tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (EDDIE REDMAYNE) and his best friend Hognob, as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy, Lord Nooth (TOM HIDDLESTON), and his Bronze Age City to save their home. British Animation at its best
High school student Ferris Bueller wants a day off from school and he's developed an incredibly sophisticated plan to pull it off. He talks his friend Cameron into taking his father's prized Ferrari and with his girlfriend Sloane head into Chicago for the day. While they are taking in what the city has to offer school principal Ed Rooney is convinced that Ferris is, not for the first time, playing hooky for the day and is hell bent to catch him out. Ferris has anticipated that, much to Rooney's chagrin.
When ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott discovers that her husband of forty years is having an affair with her best friend, she seeks refuge with her estranged, older sister Bif. Sandra is a fish out of water next to her outspoken, serial dating, free-spirited sibling. Sandra reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to her community dance class, where gradually she starts finding her feet... and romance.
The riveting story of the 1969 moon landing. Much more focused on the "small step for man" and less on the "giant leap for mankind", this follows Neil Armstrong on his journey to becoming the first man to walk on the moon. The perils and exhilarations of spaceflight are brilliantly conveyed to give you the hair-raising feeling of what it was really like inside Apollo 11.
Ten fisherman from Cornwall are signed by Universal Records and achieve a top ten hit with their debut album of Sea Shanties.
Fate, the pensions crisis and a steadfast refusal to accept the injustice of old age have contrived to force law abiding, retired couple, Arthur and Martha Goode into a life of crime. Refusing to take the loss of their pensions lying down and to fade away into their declining years, our characters decide to fight back. They decide to take back what was theirs in the first place. They decide to start robbing banks.
In 1962, "Tony Lip" Vallelonga, a tough bouncer, looking for work becomes the driver for African-American classical pianist Don Shirley on his concert tour into the Deep South states. They begin their trek armed with The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for safe travel through America's racial segregation. Together, the snobbishly erudite pianist and the crudely practical bouncer barely get along. The disparate pair witness and endure appalling injustices on the road and nurture a friendship and understanding that changes both their lives.
The uplifting story of one man's global quest to find out whether happiness truly exists. Hector is an eccentric yet loveable psychiatrist who finds himself at a crossroads in life; his patients just aren t getting any happier and his life is going nowhere. Feeling trapped between his mundane daily routine and his neurotic girlfriend, Hector decides to break away from his sheltered London life and go on a global quest to find out whether happiness truly exists - and more importantly, whether it exists for Hector. Along the way he meets friends old and new, learning some valuable lessons on his journey of self discovery that proves equal parts colourful, dangerous, exotic and hilarious.
Il Postino: The Postman (1994) Italian with subtitles. A simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet; he uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice. A lyrical, pacific film that seeks to discern the beauty in all things.
On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. It is soon learned by the military that a number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less than a day. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles and Washington, as well as Paris, London, Houston and Moscow. The survivors set out in convoys towards Area 51, a strange government testing ground where it is rumored the military has a captured alien spacecraft of their own. The survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens, and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom.
Eliane is a wealthy French plantation owner living in Indochina in the 1930s with her father and adopted native daughter Camille. She has a brief affair with a young officer, John Baptiste, but to her dismay discovers Camille has fallen madly in love with him. Eliane is able to arrange to have him transferred and Camille gets married to another man. However, Camille never stops loving Jean- Baptiste and sets out across the country to find him.
When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family.
Loving Vincent is a biographical drama film about the life of painter Vincent van Gogh. It is the world's first fully oil painted animated film and brings his artwork to life in an exploration of the death of one of history's most celebrated artists. A true labour of love, written and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, each of the film's 65,000 frames is an oil painting on canvas, using the same technique as Van Gogh, created by a team of 115 painters.
In this sequel to Mamma Mia!, Sophie learns about her mother's past while pregnant herself. “Last time we gave you the happy ending,” burbles the trailer: ‘This summer we’ll take you back to the beginning.’ Thus, we find Lily James as the young Meryl Streep in sunny ’79, trying on her new dungarees, and trying out three handsome suitors (Hugh Skinner, Josh Dylan and Jeremy Irvine), who will grow up to become Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, and Pierce “Pick-a-note-any-note” Brosnan. MK the Guardian
Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her "sister" in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth's sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history.
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick. What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane. Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of color. And neither of them knows they're going to change each other for all time.
Epic portrayal of events surrounding the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre. The massacre saw British government forces charge into a crowd of Over 60,000 that had gathered to demand political reform and protest against rising levels of poverty. Many were killed, hundreds more injured, sparking a nationwide outcry but also further government suppression. The Peterloo Massacre was a defining moment in British democracy which also played a significant role in the founding of The Guardian newspaper
Richard II was recorded live in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in November 2013. RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran directs David Tennant in the title role, and is joined in the Company by Oliver Ford Davies as the Duke of York, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt and Nigel Lindsay as Bolingbroke. Richard II is King. A monarch ordained by God to lead his people. A man whose vanity threatens to divide the great houses of England and drag his people into a dynastic and bloody civil war.
In the late ‘60s, a musician was discovered in a Detroit bar by two celebrated producers who were struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics. They recorded an album that they believed was going to secure his reputation as one of the greatest recording artists of his generation. Despite overwhelming critical acclaim, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, it became a phenomenon. Two South African fans then set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation led them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez. This is a film about hope, inspiration and the resonating power of music.
When a green ogre named Shrek discovers his swamp has been 'swamped' with all sorts of fairytale creatures by the scheming Lord Farquaad, Shrek sets out with a very loud donkey by his side to 'persuade' Farquaad to give Shrek his swamp back. Instead, a deal is made. Farquaad, who wants to become the King, sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, who is awaiting her true love in a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. But once they head back with Fiona, it starts to become apparent that not only does Shrek, an ugly ogre, begin to fall in love with the lovely princess, but Fiona is also hiding a huge secret.
Billy Wilder's classic comedy stars Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis as a pair of unemployed musicians who inadvertently become witnesses to the St. Valentine Day's Massacre. To escape the wrath of the gangsters, Joe and Jerry are forced to hit the road in drag, taking the only jobs available with an all-girl band bound for Miami. Enroute, both men fall for lead singer and blond bombshell Sugar Kane, but are unable to fulfill their desires for fear of revealing their identity. Joe tries to get around this by adopting a third identity for seduction, that of a shy millionaire who sounds strangely like Cary Grant. Meanwhile Jerry has his own problems, fighting off the advances of Osgood E. Fielding, a real millionaire hypnotized by his/her charms.
Steve Coogan and John C Reilly, two brilliant physical comedians, give delightful performances nailing the duo’s body language, mannerisms and routines. 1953 with their immense fame on the wane, Stan ‘Laurel’ and Ollie ‘Hardy’ embark on a gruelling farewell tour of British seaside towns. The tour starts badly; modest music halls, cramped little guesthouses, they struggle for audiences. But a series of TV guest spots rekindle the country’s interest and the buzz grows as they head towards a big London finale. But old resentments surface, particularly once ‘the wives’, Lucille and Ida, (a hilarious double act in their own right) join them. A charming, poignant, insightful study of lifelong male friendship this is a fitting tribute to the greatest pair of comedians of all time.
Anchored by flawless performances from its two young stars, this is a delicate, extraordinarily moving tale about being a child in an adult world. After her mother’s death, six-year-old Frida moves to live with her uncle in the Catalan countryside. Though the pain and shock of her loss is a strain on the young child, the film is neither sentimental nor tragic. She is surrounded by kindness and love; she must simply learn to live her new life without the person she loved best. A spellbinding portrait of family, heartbreak, and belonging this achieves the rare feat of faithfully recreating the mysterious consciousness of a child. Unfurling in the stillness of a sleepy, sun-soaked Spanish summer, this coming of age drama has won awards all across the world.
Divorced working woman Alex and well-to-do Jewish family doctor Daniel Hirsh share not only the same answering service but also the favours of young Bob Elkin who bed-hops between them as the mood takes him. Both Alex and Dr Hirsh are aware of the other's existence but prefer to live with the situation rather than risk losing Elkin completely. But a wet winter weekend in London can be difficult.
Feel-good larkiness in jaunty but formulaic style. Accountant Eric is simply treading water when he discovers a newfound sense of purpose thanks to an unexpected source: a group of similarly stuck-in-a-rut guys who have found camaraderie through synchronized swimming. Sure, they may be a bit paunchy, but they're determined to prove they have what it takes to be a whirling, twirling, scissor-kicking aquatic dream team
As her marriage to Jack flounders, eminent High Court judge Fiona Maye has a life-changing decision to make at work - should she force a teenage boy, Adam, to have the blood transfusion that will save his life? Her unorthodox visit to his hospital bedside has a profound impact on them both, stirring strong new emotions in the boy and long-buried feelings in her.
Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. Queen Anne occupies the throne but is frail, so Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. New servant Abigail arrives and while Sarah is caught up in the politics of war, she fills in as the Queen's companion. Their friendship gives Abigail a chance to fulfill her ambition of returning to her aristocratic roots and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.
Orphaned, penniless but ambitious and with a mind crammed with imagination and fresh ideas, the American Phineas Taylor Barnum will always be remembered as the man with the gift to effortlessly blur the line between reality and fiction. Thirsty for innovation and hungry for success, the son of a tailor will manage to open a wax museum but will soon shift focus to the unique and peculiar, introducing extraordinary, never-seen-before live acts on the circus stage. Some will call Barnum's wide collection of oddities, a freak show; however, when the obsessed for cheers and respectability showman gambles everything on the opera singer Jenny Lind to appeal to a high-brow audience, he will somehow lose sight of the most important aspect of his life: his family. Will Barnum risk it all to be accepted?
Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker, from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt, who becomes captivated with Forrest's commitment to his craft, and a woman, who loves him in spite of his chosen profession.
THE POST is a thrilling drama about the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post's Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper and editor Ben Bradlee, as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers - and their very freedom - to help bring long-buried truths to light.
This is a recording of the first time in 45 years that 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona' has been performed in full production on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage. Valentine and Proteus are best friends until they fall in love with the same girl. Having travelled to Milan in search of adventure, they both fall for the Duke's daughter Silvia. But Proteus is already sworn to his sweetheart Julia at home in Verona, and the Duke thinks Valentine is not good enough for his daughter Silvia. With Friendship forgotten, the rivals' affections quickly get out of hand as the four young lovers find themselves on a wild chase through the woods, confused by mistaken identity and threatened by fierce outlaws before they find a path to reconciliation.
In 17th Century Amsterdam, an orphaned girl Sophia is forcibly married to a rich and powerful merchant Cornelis Sandvoort - an unhappy "arrangement" that saves her from poverty. After her husband commissions a portrait, she begins a passionate affair with the painter Jan Van Loos, a struggling young artist. Seeking to escape the merchant's ever-reaching grasp, the lovers risk everything and enter the frenzied tulip bulb market, with the hope that the right bulb will make a fortune and buy their freedom.
Governor George W. Bush of Texas picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co, to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive resume includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and defense secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.
The lucky winner of the national lottery is Ned Devine, so taken by his good fortune that he now can't be waked, because he died from the shock of it! News of the win spread quickly in the scenic little Irish village of Tully More, but not the secret news of Ned's demise. With lottery officials closing in to confirm the prize claimed by the deceased Devine, Ned's closest friends scheme to keep the prize money close to home, in memory of Ned of course! But as the plot twists humorously, they learn it is hard is to keep such a secret in a small town.