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It's Alive

“ It's Alive: Larry Cohen and the all-nighter ”

Posted on Tue 18 June 2019 by Jane Giles

Never one to shy away from a marginalised filmmaker whose work generally received more poor reviews than plaudits, the Scala’s allegiance to maverick B-movie auteur Larry Cohen was consistent as his films ranged across the genres closest to the Scala’s heart: queer cinema, Blaxploitation, sci-fi and horror.

Muriel Box

“ Thinking outside of the box: cinema innovators at Cinema Rediscovered ”

Posted on Mon 17 June 2019 by Rosie Taylor

Alice Guy-Blaché and Muriel Box were cinema innovators working in very different eras and yet, both women fought against the odds to take their ambition to the top and become prolific storytellers for the big screen, archivist and curator Rosie Taylor writes.

Croupier

“ The unnatural worlds of Mike Hodges ”

Posted on Mon 17 June 2019 by James Harrison

The dark, unnatural worlds created by Bristol-born Mike Hodges in Black Rainbow and Croupier might not be so far removed from our own, South West Silents Co-founder James Harrison writes.

A Season in France

“ 'We applied to be hosts': Refugees at Home ”

Posted on Mon 10 June 2019 by Frances Cox

Ahead of our run of Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's A Season in France and one-off screening of Sharon Walia's The Movement, as part of Bristol Refugee Week (June 17 - 23), we spoke with Frances Cox, who shares details of her experience as a host for Refugees at Home.

Adoption

“ The quiet power of women in Márta Mészáros’ Adoption ”

Posted on Mon 10 June 2019 by Julia Ray

Celebrated as the first Berlinale Golden Bear awarded to a female director, Márta Mészáros’ Adoption is a powerful meditation on agency and womanhood in a world that waits to give permission, Julia Ray writes.

Soylent Green

“ From 'soylent steak' to Soylent Green ”

Posted on Fri 7 June 2019 by Dr Peter Walsh

Soylent Green reveals social and environmental issues that continue to resonate today, perhaps even more troubling than ever before. Film historian Dr Peter Walsh looks at how the film challenges us to ask how far we have come and what we can do to stop the grim dystopia from becoming our reality.

Society

“ Welcome to Society ”

Posted on Fri 7 June 2019 by Jonathan Bygraves

Thirty years on, 20th Century Flicks' Jonathan Bygraves takes a look back at Brian Yuzna's directorial debut, Society, and the films and the era that influenced it.

We the Animals

“ Where art and identity intersect in We the Animals ”

Posted on Wed 5 June 2019 by Julia Ray

Julia Ray, on placement this year at Watershed through UWE's MA in Curation, reflects on the beautiful imagery and animation in We the Animals. Recognising young Jonah's journey into adolescence as a key moment to unleash individual creativity, Julia revisits her own experiences, at the intersection of art and individuality.

Mati Diop Cannes 2019

“ Diversity & Drama: Cannes 2019 ”

Posted on Sun 2 June 2019 by Mark Cosgrove

Fresh from the Cannes Film Festival, Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove reflects on the best and most anticipated titles he saw. From almost thirty films, Mark says this was the year when Cannes successfully put film back in the cinema, and vice versa.

My Friend the Polish Girl

“ Introducing 'Fiction Documentary': power play in My Friend the Polish Girl ”

Posted on Tue 28 May 2019 by Tara Judah

Bending the boundaries of genre far beyond their limits, filmmakers Ewa Banaszkiewicz and Mateusz Dymek have coined a new term for their unique feature debut, My Friend the Polish Girl. The 'Fiction Documentary', as they call it, questions both modes of filmmaking, asking us to think about the ethics and power dynamics at play every time a camera is picked up and aimed at an individual.

Amazing Grace

“ Tribute to Aretha Franklin: A Natural Legend ”

Posted on Thu 9 May 2019 by Roger Griffith

Aretha Franklin will always remain the Queen of Soul, but her voice, work and accomplishments stretch beyond music, author, broadcaster and Executive Chair at Ujima Radio, Roger Griffith, writes.