Stretch Your Mind – The Courtyard Cinema
During the November – December season The Courtyard Cinema is screening a number of films designed to push the boundaries, question commonly held views and take the audience out of their comfort zone. With films covering topics from religion to worker’s rights there’ll be plenty to talk about in the car on the way home – this always works while walking or riding a Beryl bike.
Honeyland (12A)
We’re starting things off with Honeyland (12A) on Tuesday 12 November which is a film supported by the Hereford Green Network. A Turkish film with English subtitles following Hatidze, a 50-something woman, who tends to her handmade beehives in her Macedonian village. This documentary sees the sudden arrival of roaring engines, 7 shrieking children, and 150 cows. Hatidze handles this disruption and potential destruction of her way of life holding nothing back – not her tried-and-true beekeeping advice, not her affection, not her special brandy.
Hail Satan? (15)
The next day we have Hail Satan? (15) – chronicling the extraordinary rise of one of the most colourful and controversial religious movements in American History. A reaction to the growing popularity of extreme evangelical Christianity in the USA this documentary sees a group from the Satanic Temple organise a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority. They prove that with little more than a clever idea, a mischievous sense of humour, and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways. Just for fun, we’ll be running a Satanist inspired Destruction Ritual 1 hour before the film so bring along an item you’ve been holding on to that you’d rather forget and let go of the past by seeing it go up in smoke (or some other pyrotechnic, theatre wizardry).
Bait (15)
For something a little closer to home we have Bait (15) on Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 November. Set within the community of a present-day Cornish fishing village and shot with a 1970s 16mm, wind-up, Bolex camera, on black and white Kodak film, hand processed by Director and Writer Mark Jenkin, this film is beautifully crafted and “a bit weird in the best way”. Bait is a timely and funny, yet poignant new film that gets to the heart of a community facing unwelcome change – perhaps a microcosmic look at the current national, political climate?
Sorry We Missed You (15)
Ken Loach, director and writer of I, Daniel Blake, returns with Sorry We Missed You (15) screening at The Courtyard in November and December. This persuasive, affecting drama tells the story of a couple ground down by zero-hour contracts. Never one to shy away from politics, Loach tackles worker’s right with humour and honesty. This film has audio description available for all screenings and will have subtitles for our deaf and hard of hearing customers on Wednesday 11 December, 5pm.
Farming (18)
As we move in to December the true story of director and writer, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Farming (18), hits our screens hard. A brutal telling of his difficult childhood, “farmed out” to Essex by his Nigerian family in want of a good education and a better future. With challenging scenes of violence and humiliation, we see the young boy’s battles as he grows up to become the feared leader of a white skinhead gang. All screenings of Farming will have audio description available for those who wish to use it.
Official Secrets (15)
Finally, from Wednesday 4 – Wednesday 11 December we have Official Secrets (15). Another true story, this time focussing on Britain’s recent political history and the events leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Following a true story of British whistle-blower who leaked information to the press about an illegal NSA spy operation, a leak thrown in to disrepute after a clerical error. A fascinating story and a new look at the events in the early 2000s Official Secrets stars Keira Knightley alongside Matthew Goode & Ralph Fiennes. This film will have audio description available for all screenings, ask at Box Office for more information.
If you want to be challenged, or perhaps have your opinions reaffirmed, come along to The Courtyard Cinema this Winter and check out our selection of politically charged films. We can’t wait to hear what you think! Don’t forget to rate the film with you ticket in the star rating boxes on your way out.