1 Second half kicks off with OFFSIDE (Jan 7th)
2 THE BUTCHER BOY (Jan 14th)
3 first 2016 special event: PEPE LE MOKO, introduced by
Ann Miller (Jan 21st)
First of all, a warm welcome to new members who have joined ABCD for the second half of the 15-16 season. We hope that you enjoy being part of the film society and that you remain members for many years to come.
1 Second half kicks off with OFFSIDE (Jan 7th)
This is Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s 2006 film about a group of women trying to get to see a World Cup qualifier taking place in Tehran – a film of wit by a filmmaker whose most recent production, TAXI TEHRAN, has recently been in local cinemas. His films have frequently won major awards, including his charming first feature, THE WHITE BALLOON, which we screened in December 1996 to members’ great enjoyment. A couple of years after OFFSIDE, Panahi was banned from making films and sentenced to a lengthy spell in gaol. The ban hasn’t been effective, though it has certainly made his work as interesting as it has made life difficult for him, while the imprisonment seems to be subject to a long appeals process. He is not allowed an exit visa, unless he wants to travel for medical treatment or to go to Mecca. One might surmise the authorities want to rid themselves of an embarrassment.
2 THE BUTCHER BOY (Jan 14th)
Many people, including not a few ABCD members, take part in reading groups and follow contemporary writing quite closely, we have noticed. THE BUTCHER BOY is based on a novel by Patrick McCabe and was co-written by him and the director, Neil Jordan. (We screened Jordan’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s THE END OF THE AFFAIR in March 2001). Perhaps you can tempt your reading friends to come along?
3 first 2016 special event: PEPE LE MOKO, introduced by Ann Miller (Jan 21st)
Ann Miller has visited us to introduce and discuss a French language film every season since 1997. She taught French in the Dept. of Modern Languages at Leicester University, specialising in French cinema and comics, in which field she is an international figure. PEPE LE MOKO is a highly entertaining film and Ann’s comments and prompts will surely add extra dimensions to our enjoyment. Ann, incidentally, before going to Leicester, was for many years in charge of the training of language teachers at Westminster College. She is thus well known to many language teachers in the area – if you know any, do encourage them to come to this event. Likewise any sixth-formers taking French.
Next newsletter: towards the end of January