Hull Independent Cinema: Bird

BIRD

12-year-old Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and father Bug, who raises them alone in a squat in northern Kent. Bug doesn’t have time to devote to them; he’s too busy looking forward to his imminent wedding and pursuing wealth by importing hallucinogenic toads. Bailey’s confused and unhappy about her new stepmother, and her mum is struggling to deal with a chaotic new relationship. Bailey seeks adventure and attention elsewhere, and finds it when an eccentric, troubled young man called Bird turns up and asks for her help.

Starring Nykiya Adams, Franz Rogowski, Barry Keoghan

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

Cannes Film Festival: Nominee, Palme d’Or & Queer Palm
British Independent Film Awards: Winner, Best Supporting Performance. Nominee, 7 awards inc Best Director
Hamburg Film Festival: Winner, Douglas Sirk Award
Montclair Film Festival: Winner, Junior Jury

REVIEWS
“A classic Andrea Arnold picture, complete with striking new talent and moving insight into life lived on the margins.” ★★★★ Sophie Butcher, Empire Magazine

“For all Keoghan’s star power and Rogowski’s diligence, Adams is the centre of the film.” ★★★★ Danny Leigh, Financial Times

“Fish Tank director Andrea Arnold returns to kitchen sink realism – and finds freedom and joy over darkness.” ★★★★ Christina Newland, iNews

“Perhaps unexpectedly, Bird calls to mind Spielberg’s seminal sci-fi E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, in which another child forms a friendship with a mysterious visitor looking for a home.” Hannah Strong, Little White Lies

Hull Independent Cinema: Burning Bridges

‘Burning Bridges’ is the story of an artist who pushed ever closer to the edges – and then went over.

On freezing cold morning at the end of January 2007, at the back of playing fields in Hull, in littered woodland close to an old boathouse by a river, a runner found an unconscious man and called an ambulance.

The man was in his pyjamas, on the ground next to him was a wooden sword.

His body was heavily bruised – the doctors suggested he could have been kicked and beaten, but that was never investigated. There were reports that he’d been given anti-freeze to drink.

After suffering hypothermia and two heart attacks Paul Burwell, aged 58, was in a coma. Less than a week later his life support was switched off.

Though dog walkers, kids and the local police had regarded him as an eccentric and a drunk, there were obituaries in the Guardian and Independent newspapers.

A new documentary from Hull based Nova Studios, ‘Burning Bridges’ traces the story of Paul Burwell’s life and work through the voices of the people who knew him best, including influential avant garde artists and musicians such as Anne Bean, Richard Wilson, David Toop, Evan Parker, Max Eastley, Steve Beresford, Sylvia Hallet, Carlyle Reedy and many others, as well as close family and friends.

‘Burning Bridges’ is the story of an artist who pushed ever closer to the edges – and then went over.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with director Matt Stephenson, executive producer Michael Barnes-Wynters and a special guest.

Hull Independent Cinema: No Other Land

For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer Yatta being destroyed by Israel’s occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist who wants to join his fight. No Other Land is an unflinching account of a community’s mass expulsion and acts as a creative resistance to Apartheid and a search for a path towards equality and justice.

Hull Independent Cinema: The Room Next Door

THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

Bestselling author Ingrid learns that an old friend, war reporter Martha, is dying of cancer. They’ve not seen each other for years, but they are soon warmly reunited. Then Martha asks for Ingrid’s help; to be with her while she has one last relaxing weekend before taking euthanasia medication while Ingrid waits in the room next door so she can plausibly tell police she didn’t know what Martha was doing. Concerns about ethics and legality mix with the pair’s shared history and the unearthing of hidden secrets to threaten their newly-rediscovered closeness.

Starring Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton, John Turturro

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

Venice Film Festival: Winner, 2 awards inc Best Film
European Film Awards: Nominee, 4 awards inc European Actress & Screenwriter

REVIEWS
“The hot Latin lovers have been replaced by pink snow, and the homoeroticism has been dialled down, but this is Almodóvar’s America and it’s a delight.” ★★★★★ Kaleem Aftab, Time Out

“…luxuriously self-aware performances from Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.” ★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“And despite a certain propensity for melodrama, Almodóvar restrains himself, making a film that is as understated and lovely as his leading ladies’ performances.” ★★★★ Jo-Ann Titmarsh, London Evening Standard

“If Pain and Glory was a reckoning with self and Parallel Mothers a reckoning with Spain, The Room Next Door is a reckoning with the entire world.” Drew Gregory, Autostraddle

Hull Independent Cinema: Small Things Like These

Oscar winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as devoted father Bill Furlong in this film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Claire Keegan. While working as a coal merchant to support his family, he discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent — and uncovers truths of his own — forcing him to confront his past and the complicit silence of a small Irish town controlled by the Catholic Church.

Hull Independent Cinema: Anora

ANORA

Anora dances at a strip club and engages in sex work on the side. She might be tougher than she lets on but her life is a bit of a mess. So when Vanya, a wealthy Russian, offers her thousands of dollars to be his girlfriend for the weekend she jumps at the chance. When the pair impulsively get married in Las Vegas, her chance of a Cinderella story seems real. But when news reaches Russia Vanya’s oligarch father is enraged, and sets out to get the marriage annulled and destroy Anora’s fairytale ending.

Starring Mikey Madison, Paul Weissman, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

Cannes Film Festival: Winner, Palme d’Or
Toronto International Film Festival: Nominee, People’s Choice Award
British Independent Film Awards:Winner, International Independent Film Award
Gotham Awards: Nominee, 4 awards including Outstanding Lead Performance & Best Director

REVIEWS
“…at its heart this is a film about the transactional relationships between men and women and how deleterious that capitalistic spirit can be on the human soul.” ★★★★★ Christina Newland, iNews

“Each change of tone is handled with sinuous ease by Baker, one of the best independent directors, who is finally getting the props he deserves.” ★★★★★ Ed Potton, The Times

“Sean Baker’s amazing, full-throttle tragicomedy of romance, denial and betrayal.” ★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“Madison uses her liquid eyes and wary, rubbery smile not to win us over a la Julia Roberts but to show how Ani sheds her illusions and comes to understand both her own power and the larger powerlessness of a working woman in a world run by men and boys…” Ty Burr, Washington Post

RBO: Ballet to Broadway – Wheeldon Works (Live Screening)

FOOL’S PARADISE
Luminescent and shimmering, Fool’s Paradise marked the first of Wheeldon’s many collaborations with composer Joby Talbot. It was created in 2007 for Wheeldon’s own company, Morphoses, and first performed in 2012 by The Royal Ballet.

THE TWO OF US
The wistful songs of Joni Mitchell set the scene for the UK premiere of The Two of Us, a duet of deep intimacy and yearning. It was created in 2020 for the Fall for Dance Festival in New York, and had American ballet dancers Sarah Mearns and David Hallberg in its original cast.

US (DUET)
Us is a tender duet danced by two men. It was created in 2017 for BalletBoyz and is set to Keaten Henson’s music.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (BALLET)
The Royal Ballet celebrates Wheeldon’s extraordinary success in musical theatre by performing the ballet scene from his Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris. Set to Gershwin’s jazzy melodies, the musical is inspired by the 1951 film of the same name starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The musical went on to win four Tony awards. The full musical depicts a blossoming romance between the American G.I. Jerry Mulligan and a French ballerina, Lise Dassin. The ballet excerpt was Wheeldon’s take on one of the most memorable scenes from the film – an extended sequence in which the two central characters dance through Paris.

RBO: Die Walküre (Live Screening)

On a stormy night, fate brings two strangers together, unleashing a love with the power to end worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, an epic battle ensues between their ruler Wotan and his rebellious daughter, Brünnhilde.

NT Live: The Importance of Being Earnest (Encore Screening)

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.

While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

Hull Independent Cinema: BLITZ

Sir Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mom and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Elliott Heffernan, Paul Weller, Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Stephen Graham, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, and Hayley Squires

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
London Film Festival: Opening Film, World Premiere
New York Film Festival: Closing Film

REVIEWS

“A monumental achievement in British cinema” ★★★★★ – THE INDEPENDENT

“Sensational” ★★★★★ – THE TELEGRAPH

“A masterpiece” –THE WRAP

“Breathtaking” –THE TIMES

“A triumph” – COLLIDER

“Gorgeously crafted” – TOTAL FILM

“McQueen grips you until the final moments” – OBSERVER

Hull Independent Cinema: BLITZ

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Elliott Heffernan, Paul Weller, Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Stephen Graham, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, and Hayley Squires

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
London Film Festival: Opening Film, World Premiere
New York Film Festival: Closing Film

REVIEWS

“A monumental achievement in British cinema” ★★★★★ – THE INDEPENDENT

“Sensational” ★★★★★ – THE TELEGRAPH

“A masterpiece” –THE WRAP

“Breathtaking” –THE TIMES

“A triumph” – COLLIDER

“Gorgeously crafted” – TOTAL FILM

“McQueen grips you until the final moments” – OBSERVER

UNTHINKABLE Film Festival

UNTHINKABLE is set up with as a charity with the aim of creating opportunity for local creative community and inspiring local audience with new stories and ways of film making. Cinema is considered the 7th art so alongside the film screenings we host a range of other events celebrating this cross road.

We are a new and upcoming Film Festival with many exciting opportunities being offered between 1st-6th October and we would love you to join us in whatever way you’d like!

Throughout the week, we have many workshops available, with industry professionals such as Mike Kingsley and Casey Shaw, as well as a free mentoring session with music journalist and BBC 6 Radio DJ, Mary Anne Hobbs alongside established Artist, Richie Culver. Other workshops such as Animation 101 and Sonic For Sculptures are also available!

We are hosting a main award screening at Hull Truck Theatre as well as a screening dedicated to Northern filmmakers at local HU5 hotspot, Polar Bear Music Club!

There is also the opportunity available to attend an exclusive screening of Little Voice, followed by a Q&A with the well-renowned British Director, Mark Herman; also well known for releases such as Brassed Off and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

One of our main beliefs as a CIO charity is to create an accessible platform for all creatives. Therefore, we have created an exhibition to run simultaneously with the film festival, allowing local artists to showcase their best work.

And lastly, to conclude the week, there will be an techno event night at Hull’s infamous DinoStar, with a lineup of upcoming DJs and music producers. Love a Dino Rave!

Festival lineup:

Wednesday 2nd Oct – ‘Little Voice’ Screening and Director Q&A with Mark Herman, 2pm- 5pm, The Donald Roy Theatre, Gulbenkian Studio, University of Hull Campus.
Wednesday 2nd Oct – Bravo Exhibition Opening, Pier Street, Humber Street.

Thursday 3rd Oct – Screen Acting East Yorkshire ‘First Time filmmakers workshop starts. Details on Unthinkable FilmFreeway page.
Thursday 3rd Oct – Richie Culver exhibition opening, Humber Street Gallery, 5pm – 8:30pm.
Thursday 3rd Oct – Industrial Coast Music Night, 8:30pm – 12am.

Friday 4th Oct – Sonic for Sculptures Workshop, Pier Street, Humber Street, 2pm – 5pm.
Friday 4th Oct – Award Screening, Hull Truck, 7pm – 11pm.

Saturday 5th Oct – Mentoring sessions, Humber Street Gallery, 10am – 1pm.
Saturday 5th Oct – Animation 101 workshop, Humber Street Gallery, 1pm – 2:30pm.
Saturday 5th Oct – Producer’s perspective with Casey Shaw, Humber Street Gallery, 2:30pm – 4pm.
Saturday 5th Oct – Rainy Miller Hull Fair performance, Hull Fair, 8pm.
Saturday 5th Oct – DHULL music night, Dinostar, Humber Street, 10pm.

Sunday 6th Oct – Local Screening, Polar Bear Music Club, 5:30pm – 9pm.

Hull Independent Cinema: The Outrun

Rona, her life derailed by alcohol at the age of thirty but fresh out of rehab, returns from her destructive life in London to the wild Orkney Islands where she grew up after more than a decade away. As she reconnects with the landscapes and communities of her childhood, she has to come to terms with the routine of life on the farm run by her father, who has his own demons, and the shame stirred up by memories of her recent life, which threaten to undermine her recovery.

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Saskia Reeves, Stephen Dillane

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

Berlin International Film Festival: Nominee, Audience Award

REVIEWS
“An exceptional performance from Saoirse Ronan powers this affecting, slow-moving drama about addiction and hope.” ★★★★ Anna Smith, Total Film

“…the overall effect is startlingly visceral.” ★★★★ Adrian Horton, The Guardian

“Lit up in a glow of stormy sea spray, Orkney is majestic. As is the mighty Ronan.” Stephen A. Russell, Time Out

“When it comes to disappearing into emotionally and physically demanding roles, there are a few actors out there as gifted and committed as Saoirse Ronan.” Tomris Laffly, Harper’s Bazaar

Hull Independent Cinema: My Favourite Cake

Mahin lives alone in Tehran since her husband’s death and her daughter’s departure for Europe. Her hopes for new romance are hampered by a dodgy knee, a staid social routine and life under the gaze of the morality police. But one day an afternoon tea with friends results in her meeting Esmail, a lonely war veteran now working as a taxi driver, and what begins as an unexpected encounter quickly evolves into an unpredictable, unforgettable evening and a chance for both of them to live beyond the confines of their solitude.

Starring Lili Farhadpour, Esmaeel Mehrabi, Mohammad Heidari

Awards and Festivals
Berlin International Film Festival: Winner, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury & Fipresci Prize; Nominee, Best Film

Reviews
“… this wonderfully sweet and funny film will contribute to the debate about whether repressive regimes are the nursery of artistic greatness.” ★★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“A delicious slice of life.” Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter

“A warm, funny film about loneliness and repression…” Shubhra Gupta, The Indian Express

“In some ways the bubbly Mahid reminded me of the character Etero, the sexually freed woman in “Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry…. defying their oppressive surroundings before it’s too late.”
Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

Hull Independent Cinema: Close To You

Sam is a trans man from Toronto, still adjusting to transition in a new city and with a new job. Having not seen his family for four years, he bites the bullet and heads back to his home town for his father’s birthday. Not only does he have to deal with the ignorance and discomfort of his family, but a chance encounter with a former girlfriend, now married with children, reopens old wounds and forces Sam to come to terms with the realities, both good and ill, of his new life.

Starring Elliot Page, Hillary Baack, Wendy Crewson

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
Vancouver Film Critics Circle: Nominee, Best Supporting Female Actor
Calgary International Film Festival:
Winner, Special Mention; Nominee, Best International Feature
Cinéfest Sudbury: Winner, Inspiring Voices and Perspectives Feature Film

REVIEWS
“”Close to You is a quiet celebration of queer lives.”” Noah Berlatsky, Chicago Reader

“Page’s performance isn’t moving merely for whatever parallels it might hold to his life: Rather, it’s a reminder of what a deft and perceptive actor he can be…” Guy Lodge, Variety

“… serves as Page the Movie Star’s reintroduction to audiences, showing he is a singular talent as ever.” Marya E. Gates, RogerEbert.com

“Boasts a soul-baring performance from Page in a drama that is sometimes emotionally testing, but that has the mark of undeniable integrity.” Jonathan Romney, Screen International

Hull Independent Cinema: Starve Acre

Archaeologist Richard and his wife Juliette have moved from the city to Richard’s inherited house on the moors of Yorkshire, despite it holding for Richard traumatic memories of his abusive father. Richard becomes obsessed with local folklore and his late father’s archives, Juliette becomes fascinated by folk medicine, and their young son starts acting strangely. When tragedy strikes the family, the unhappy couple realise that they have unwittingly allowed dark and sinister forces into their home, awakening a long-dormant ancient evil rooted deep in the countryside.

Starring Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark, Arthur Shaw

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
London Film Festival: Nominee, Best Film

REVIEWS
“This 1970s-set folk horror, unnervingly scored by Matthew Herbert, unearths something primeval and toxic at the very roots of a once, and perhaps again, happy family.” Anton Bitel, Sight & Sound

“Kokotajlo‘s impressive second feature unfolds in a vein of British folk horror that has been popular of late…” Guy Lodge, Variety

“Aiming for authenticity, Kokotajlo finds supernatural power and dramatic weight in the genre’s rustic simplicity.” Matt Schimkowitz, The A.V. Club

“… intensely emotional lead performances that takes viewers on a nostalgic journey into pagan ritual.” Hanna Flint, IGN