GASLIGHT, Festival Preview, and a other tidbits

GASLIGHT, Festival Preview, and a few other tidbits

As we approach Film Festival time, and get a bit swept up in the festivities, I just want to keep you all in the loop on how things are progressing with the society.

Thus far, it's been a very good year for us in terms of attendances, a strong programme, extra bonus screenings, special guests, and more. Things usually drop off a bit for the society post-festival (film fatigue?) but we've got a few exciting events coming up afterwards that should be in the backs of your minds...

NEXT WEEK'S SCREENING:

Screening: Monday 20 July, 6:30pm

George Cukor | USA | 1944 | PG cert

Lusher than the 1939 British version of Patrick Hamilton’s moody period melodrama, which had a surer sense of background (in particular the English class thing, trailing an inbred distrust of the smarmy foreigner). Directed with consummate skill, all the same, as Cukor plants an indefinable sense of unease during the sunnily romantic Italian honeymoon (a lengthy addition to this version), then gradually orchestrates it into a genuinely harrowing crescendo of terror in the claustrophobically cluttered house in fogbound London where the husband is methodically driving his wife insane. One of Ingrid Bergman’s best performances with Charles Boyer not too far behind, and Angela Lansbury unforgettable as the sulkily insolent parlourmaid whom the husband cunningly uses to add insult to injury. — Tom Milne, Time Out

(114 minutes, 16mm)

FESTIVAL NEWS:

New Zealand International Film Festival 30 July - 16 August at the Regent

Tickets are on sale now to the biggest film event in Christchurch this year from the Regent on Worcester. Make sure you book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Remember that CFS members get discounted tickets so make sure you have your CFS membership card with you when you purchase your tickets.

Films that may be of interest to CFS members include Steve Jacob's Disgrace featuring a strong performace from John Malkovich as a professor who loses his job after an affair with a student. One of the highlights of this years festival is undoubtedly Coraline which will be shown in 3D at Hoyts Westfield. Sam Rockwell stars in Moon as an astronaut struggling to adapt to returning to earth after being the lone inhabitant on a moon base. The Cove is a powerful documentary about the Japanese slaughter of Dolphins. Steven Soderbergh's latest is the epic 262 minute Che featuring a magnificent performance from Benicio Del Toro while a highlight of the music section will be the documentary about mashups (taking pop songs and turning them into bastard pop) entitled RiP: A remix manifesto.

POST-FESTIVAL EVENTS TO KEEP IN MIND:

- The film society raffle is coming together nicely, and the list of prizes is truly impressive. We have several committee members threatening to resign so that they can be eligible to win. Buy your tickets for $2 before any screening. We'll be drawing the winner at the special event on 7 September.

- That special event is, of course, the screening of 3 Chaplin silent shorts with the SILENCIO music ensemble playing live music. They are currently writing an original score for the films. You won't want to miss it.

- Belladonna Short Film Festival - Sept 14-16 at Rialto. Free entry to all film society members.

- Another bonus screening: German experimental music videos at the Christchurch Art Gallery, date TBC, sometime in October....

ENDS

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