Presteigne Films Spring 2009

9th January
Summer Hours

Fra 2008 103 mins 12A

Appropriately described by one reviewer as "Chekhovian", this is a tale of sibling discord between the adult ofspring of a suddenly deceased matriarch, Helene (Edith Scob), forced to dispose of the family home and art collection of their long dead artist uncle. Lyrical, if rather typically French flashbacks to childhood summers spent at the house give way to anguished, sometimes poignant wrangling between sentimental Frédéric (Charles Berling), mercenary Jérémie (Jérémie Ranier) and the pragmatic Adrienne (Juliet Binoche), who under Olivier Assayas' deft direction all give affecting performances even if the film's conclusions are tantalisingly unclear. (S)

6th March

I've Loved You So Long

Fra/Ger 2008 117 mins 12A

Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) has a dark and terrible secret; she's just been released from prison and she has been invited to stay within the family of her much younger sister Léa, by now almost a stranger. To tell you more of the plot would be an injustice to you, to the wonderful evocative performance of Scott Thomas, the best of her career, and to the superb craft of author and first time director Philippe Claudel. You must see for yourselves how this beautifully filmed intelligent drama unfolds, feel the pain and joy of sisterly love, enduring memories, and feelings of dislocation and tenderness that accompany Juliette's rehabilitation. Don't miss it! (S)

23rd January
Man On Wire

UK 2007 94 mins 12A

Part documentary, part thriller and often comedic, this superb account of Frenchman Philippe Petit's audacious tightrope walk between the twin towers of New York's World Trade centre was a 2008 movie highlight. Archive footage, assembled by director James Marsh, chronicles his stealthy preparation under the noses of the authorities which effectively builds tension up to the feat itself, all intercut by interviews with the utterly charming Petit himself. His playful, yet balletic exploits 1300 feet above crowds of disbelieving New Yorkers and his eventual captors belie the enormity of his skill and achievement in a film that stands repeated viewing.

20th March

Gomorrah

Italy 2008 137 mins 15

The Neapolitan mafia, Comorra, spreads its deadly tentacles to touch nearly every inhabitant of the suburbs of Naples, and when it splits into warring factions, everybody has to choose a side. Roberto Saviano (now under 24 hour police protection) wrote a best-selling book on the subject, and co-wrote the script with director Matteo Garrone, interweaving the five character-based story lines. Toni Sevillo shines in this thrilling, high energy film, with its divided loyalties and casual violence, but outstanding performances by the other actors and non-professionals combine to give that edgy feel of a world where people veer between paralysing fear and reckless action. (S)

*** See home page for information about this years Fundraiser - 6th February ***

20th February

Somers Town ( + short )

UK 2008 71 mins 12A

Somers Town is an area of largely residential estates to the north of Kings Cross and Euston in London. As construction of St Pancras International Station proceeds the locality plays host to many foreign workers and Shane Meadow's charming, witty and uplifting drama takes an afectionate look into the neighbourhood. Tommo (Thomas Turgoose), a runaway youth from Nottingham, forms a friendship with Polish teenager Marek (Piotr Jagiello). Although character opposites, together they become an unlikely team who share work and a love for Maria, a French waitress. A lighter but no less entertaining follow up to This Is England from a great British director.

3rd April

Memories of Underdevelopment

Cuba 1968 104 mins 15

Now more famous as the director of Strawberry & Chocolate, Tomas Gutierrez Alea really established his reputation 25 years earlier with this stylish, fascinating film that occupies a defining place in Latin American cinema. Deserted by his wife and rejected by his lover, Sergio feels redundant, unable either to leave or to come to terms with the changes after the revolution. Stimulating in its intellectual curiosity and formal experimentalism this refection on being an outsider at a time of change has a universal appeal. Bold, brave and brilliant, Cuba still sufers from many of the weaknesses Alea identifed forty years ago.
"A profound, noble film." New York Times (S)

22nd February 2:30
The Tale of Despereaux

UK/USA 2008 93 mins U

The mouse has an enduring appeal for animators and here we have a big eared rodent with the grand name of Despereaux. Based on the hit book by Kate DiCamillo this follows the intertwined fortunes of Despereaux, an unhappy rat called Roscuro, a deaf servant girl called Miggery Sow, and the lovely Princess Pea. Cue an adventure full of action, romance and derring-do. This animation is notable for its lavish art direction and evokes the world of Northern European art at the time of Breughel or Vermeer. Once more a galaxy of stars provide the voices with contributions from the likes of Dustin Hofman, Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson and Tracey Ullman.

17th April

El Banõ Del Papa

Uru/Bra/Fr/Sp 2007 98 mins 15

El Banõ del Papa or The Pope's Toilet is a delightful, understated comedy set in the small town of Melo in northern Uruguay. Its proximity to the border with Brazil means that it is a focus for smuggling activities carried out on bicycles. When it is announced that Pope John Paul II is going to visit the town a frenzy of entrepreneurial activity breaks out in anticipation of an infux of Brazilian pilgrims. Beto (César Troncosco), a smuggler, decides he will build a public toilet and charge for admission and the film recounts the progress of this venture. A gem of a film from a region rarely explored by cinema and a splendid end to our latest season. (S)
Followed by PFS AGM



9th January Summer Hours Fra 2008 103 mins 12A	Appropriately described by one reviewer as "Chekhovian", this is a tale of sibling discord between the adult ofspring of a suddenly deceased matriarch, Helene (Edith Scob), forced to dispose of the family home and art collection of their long dead artist uncle. Lyrical, if rather typically French flashbacks to childhood summers spent at the house give way to anguished, sometimes poignant wrangling between sentimental Frédéric (Charles Berling), mercenary Jérémie (Jérémie Ranier) and the pragmatic Adrienne (Juliet Binoche), who under Olivier Assayas' deft direction all give affecting performances even if the film's conclusions are tantalisingly unclear. (S)	6th March I've Loved You So Long Fra/Ger 2008 117 mins 12A	Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) has a dark and terrible secret; she's just been released from prison and she has been invited to stay within the family of her much younger sister Léa, by now almost a stranger. To tell you more of the plot would be an injustice to you, to the wonderful evocative performance of Scott Thomas, the best of her career, and to the superb craft of author and first time director Philippe Claudel. You must see for yourselves how this beautifully filmed intelligent drama unfolds, feel the pain and joy of sisterly love, enduring memories, and feelings of dislocation and tenderness that accompany Juliette's rehabilitation. Don't miss it! (S)


23rd January Man On Wire UK 2007 94 mins 12A	Part documentary, part thriller and often comedic, this superb account of Frenchman Philippe Petit's audacious tightrope walk between the twin towers of New York's World Trade centre was a 2008 movie highlight. Archive footage, assembled by director James Marsh, chronicles his stealthy preparation under the noses of the authorities which effectively builds tension up to the feat itself, all intercut by interviews with the utterly charming Petit himself. His playful, yet balletic exploits 1300 feet above crowds of disbelieving New Yorkers and his eventual captors belie the enormity of his skill and achievement in a film that stands repeated viewing.	20th March Gomorrah Italy 2008 137 mins 15	The Neapolitan mafia, Comorra, spreads its deadly tentacles to touch nearly every inhabitant of the suburbs of Naples, and when it splits into warring factions, everybody has to choose a side. Roberto Saviano (now under 24 hour police protection) wrote a best-selling book on the subject, and co-wrote the script with director Matteo Garrone, interweaving the five character-based story lines. Toni Sevillo shines in this thrilling, high energy film, with its divided loyalties and casual violence, but outstanding performances by the other actors and non-professionals combine to give that edgy feel of a world where people veer between paralysing fear and reckless action. (S)

* See home page for information about this years Fundraiser - 6th February *

20th February Somers Town ( + short ) UK 2008 71 mins 12A	Somers Town is an area of largely residential estates to the north of Kings Cross and Euston in London. As construction of St Pancras International Station proceeds the locality plays host to many foreign workers and Shane Meadow's charming, witty and uplifting drama takes an afectionate look into the neighbourhood. Tommo (Thomas Turgoose), a runaway youth from Nottingham, forms a friendship with Polish teenager Marek (Piotr Jagiello). Although character opposites, together they become an unlikely team who share work and a love for Maria, a French waitress. A lighter but no less entertaining follow up to This Is England from a great British director.	3rd April Memories of Underdevelopment Cuba 1968 104 mins 15	Now more famous as the director of Strawberry & Chocolate, Tomas Gutierrez Alea really established his reputation 25 years earlier with this stylish, fascinating film that occupies a defining place in Latin American cinema. Deserted by his wife and rejected by his lover, Sergio feels redundant, unable either to leave or to come to terms with the changes after the revolution. Stimulating in its intellectual curiosity and formal experimentalism this refection on being an outsider at a time of change has a universal appeal. Bold, brave and brilliant, Cuba still sufers from many of the weaknesses Alea identifed forty years ago. "A profound, noble film." New York Times (S)



22nd February 2:30 The Tale of Despereaux UK/USA 2008 93 mins U	The mouse has an enduring appeal for animators and here we have a big eared rodent with the grand name of Despereaux. Based on the hit book by Kate DiCamillo this follows the intertwined fortunes of Despereaux, an unhappy rat called Roscuro, a deaf servant girl called Miggery Sow, and the lovely Princess Pea. Cue an adventure full of action, romance and derring-do. This animation is notable for its lavish art direction and evokes the world of Northern European art at the time of Breughel or Vermeer. Once more a galaxy of stars provide the voices with contributions from the likes of Dustin Hofman, Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson and Tracey Ullman.	17th April El Banõ Del Papa Uru/Bra/Fr/Sp 2007 98 mins 15	El Banõ del Papa or The Pope's Toilet is a delightful, understated comedy set in the small town of Melo in northern Uruguay. Its proximity to the border with Brazil means that it is a focus for smuggling activities carried out on bicycles. When it is announced that Pope John Paul II is going to visit the town a frenzy of entrepreneurial activity breaks out in anticipation of an infux of Brazilian pilgrims. Beto (César Troncosco), a smuggler, decides he will build a public toilet and charge for admission and the film recounts the progress of this venture. A gem of a film from a region rarely explored by cinema and a splendid end to our latest season. (S) Followed by PFS AGM