Fra/UK/It/Bel/Sp   2009  116 mins   15

Looking For Eric links disgruntled Manchester postman Eric Bishop (Steve Evets) with the eponymous footballer, Cantona. Obliged to support his wayward son and daughter when his wife fails to return to their ramshackle house and yearning for Lily, who he ill-advisedly ditched years ago, he seeks inspiration from a bedroom poster of his hero, Eric Cantona. As if by magic, the enigmatic striker/poet/philosopher materialises to provide typically elliptical aphorisms and advice which he ultimately follows… to surprising effect. Charming, witty, gritty, and with terrific performances from Stephanie Bishop, Evets and Cantona, this typifies Loach’s best and most accessible work.

Fra/Ger    2008   101 mins   12A

In 35 Shots Of Rum (35 Rhums) Claire Denis (director of Beau Travail) and her director of photography, Agnés Godard, have created a beautifully nuanced family drama. Set in the Paris suburbs it follows the shifting relationship between Lionel, a widowed train driver who lives with his student daughter, Josephine, and two other residents of the high-rise apartment block that is their home. Often depicted as a hotbed of racial tension and militancy, here the suburbs are the home of a black working class that is proud and settled. The acting is first-class with particularly fine performances by debut actress, Mati Diop, as Josephine and Alex Descas as Lionel. (S)

NZ/USA/SA   2009    112 mins    15

With emotional traces of ET and nods to the malign underpinnings of Independence Day, the infinitely more sophisticated District 9 refers to the high security ghetto where survivors of a huge spacecraft have been imprisoned since it broke down over Johannesburg some 28 years earlier. Nicknamed ‘prawns’ for their piscine resemblance, the uppity aliens aren’t happy when the government moves in to forcibly re-locate them further from the city, and director/co-writer Blomkamp’s debut feature uses the ensuing confrontation to weave a compelling, often witty allegory for the disgrace of apartheid and the strength of cultural ties.

Spa/UK   2009    128 mins    15

Following the success of Volver, Almodovar continues in fine form with this complex yet moving examination of identity, loss and passion which revolves around ‘Harry Paine’ (Jose Luis Gomez) who, before losing his sight in a car crash, was a lauded film director, Mateo Blanco. The death of a sinister financier Ernesto Martel, who bankrolled his last movie in which Blanco/Paine was obliged to cast Martel’s lover, Lena (a magnetically pulchritudinous Penelope Cruz) in a lead role prompts a series of flashbacks and introspection reflecting his multilateral regrets and repressed joy. Finely acted and beautifully shot with the director’s customary eye for style and colour. (S)

UK/USA    2008   93 mins   U

Pixar has become synonymous with high quality animation that entertains children and adults alike. Once again they come up trumps with this delightful film that is packed with wit and incident. Centred around the genuinely touching odd-couple pairing of Carl, a crotchety old man and Russell, a rotund eight year old Boy Scout, the story takes us on a wildly imaginative journey filled with extraordinary characters and places. The artwork is never less than beautiful and the outstanding musical score provides a perfect aural backdrop to the tale. (Note: the film has had a limited release in 3D but that requires special projection equipment beyond the scope of the film society).

Fra/Bel    2008   77 mins   PG   Note - standard admission to this film will be £4.50

A hysterical, distinctly non-PC, nearly silent comedy about two teachers who live for their weekends of Latin dancing. When they have a freak car accident, she loses a leg and he loses his memory. Cue all sorts of craziness, the blackest of black comedy, and, some expertly choreographed mayhem that at its best is worthy of Buster Keaton or Jacques Tati. Featuring plenty of fancy footwork, and some of the best clowning and mime seen on film in recent years, Rumba leaves you with the feeling that life is a miracle to be enjoyed whatever happens. (S)
“a masterclass in hilarity . . . rarely seen since the heyday of Laurel and Hardy” Empire “a magical comedy” Film4

Mex/USA/Jap   2008   81 mins   12A

This funny and moving film from Mexico is the latest from Fernando Eimbcke, director of the award-winning “Duck Season.” Juan crashes the family Nissan and spends a long day in a small town trying to get it repaired by a series of eccentric and dysfunctional characters. As time passes with the increasingly desperate quality of a maddening dream we are gradually shown a picture of Juan’s home and family life and the relationships and events within. Characterised by long elegant static shots into which the actors move and perform, this is essentially a coming-of-age film with a difference. Very rewarding. (S)

Annual special fund-raiser date - Admission £6

We are keeping our options open regarding the selection for our fundraiser. Each year we try to bring you a fine film and add to it the attraction of food and drink to create a party atmosphere. Past successes have included Buena Vista Social Club, Monsoon Wedding, The Last Waltz and The History Boys which gives an idea of the range of themes covered. Our fundraiser date in this season is later in the year so this should give us an opportunity to select from a wider range of acclaimed films currently not released in digital form. No guarantees - availability is not always straightforward for digital copies but all suggestions will be considered. In any event the evening should be fun and we hope you will join us then. Look out for announcements closer to the date.

It/Bra    2008    103 mins   15

Set in the tropical rainforest of Brazil’s Mato Grosso region this is Italian writer/director/producer Marco Bechi’s story of the indigenous Guarani people enveloped by a greedy world. Marginalised by commercial farming and westernised by necessity, a tragedy prompts part of the tribe to re-occupy traditional land. We watch the resulting cultural collision of a group of ornithologists on a rich man’s estate and a people struggling to hold onto an ethnic identity. Directed with sympathy and style, this informed, emotionally engaging, and beautifully shot film holds surprising touches of humour as the personal plots and sub-plots within unfold. (S)

This is our last film of the season and is followed by the Presteigne Film Society AGM, a relatively casual affair with a glass of wine thrown in, to which all are welcome.