Not A Rock-Doc – Sharks Film Screening / Q and A with Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons

Back in 1972, Sharks quickly soared to new heights in the rock world, a record deal from the coolest label, superstar management, and a shark-shaped car. But a devastating crash and drug problems saw them sink beneath the waves. Now, they reunite, embarking on a 21st-century odyssey filled with pain, dark humour, and unexpected acts of heroism.

The film explores the complex dynamics of an iconic band’s journey, from the highs of their resurgence to the lows of their struggles. The film NOT A ROCK-DOC delves into the compelling story of a revered cult band from the 1970s, as they embark on a mission to revive their music and legacy in the digital age. We follow the band on their promotional tour for the album KILLERS OF THE DEEP as they navigate the pressures faced by ‘men of a certain age’ striving to deliver electrifying performances across the UK, Japan, and Europe. Accompanied by the camera crew, they are joined by Toshio Nomura, a passionate fan from Osaka, Japan, also documenting their journey with his miniDV camera setup. Toshio becomes an endearing third protagonist in the film, showcasing his unwavering dedication to the band.

We witness the gripping and hilarious portrayal of the Sharks revival as the film takes us through the ups and downs of the band’s chaotic journey as they confront the harsh realities of the modern music industry. We experience their struggles, triumphs, and the universal challenges faced by creatives worldwide. The film unfolds like a slow-motion car crash, packed with hilarious and cringeworthy moments. Picture this: A former Sex Pistol jumps ship, leaving the band scrambling. Chris Spedding then joins forces with Bryan Ferry for a four-month world tour to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Snips is determined to salvage the situation with another tour, but they find themselves playing to almost empty halls and even performing at an ageing fan’s birthday party.

Brace yourself for real-life ‘Spinal Tap’ situations that will have you in stitches as the band battles humiliation, condescension, and frustration at every turn. It’s a rollercoaster of laughs, awkwardness, and the kind of craziness only rock & roll can deliver. Get ready to be entertained, moved, and inspired as NOT A ROCK-DOC captures the gritty essence of the 21st Century Sharks revival.

Through powerful storytelling, intimate access, and a healthy dose of laughter, this documentary reveals the enduring power of artistic expression and the unyielding passion that fuels the artistic spirit and why we love music. The finished film is a uniquely British story of failure and grace under pressure – with some dynamic stage performances and high quality music…

…but it’s not a Rock-Doc.

The Thief of Bagdad

The greatest swashbuckler of them all, Douglas Fairbanks, stars in this epic fantasy-adventure, inspired by The Arabian Nights. Spectacular set design and special effects combine with dramatic action scenes and romance in this masterpiece of 1920s silent film – which will be brought to life with live piano.

Buy tickets to Thief of Bagdad for 15% off Northern Silents Double Bill at Hull Truck Theatre.

Saturday Slapstick with Laurel & Hardy

Laurel and Hardy headline a triple-bill of slapstick comedy mayhem as part of Northern Silent Film Festival. In You’re Darn Tootin’, Stan and Ollie are musicians in a brass band and, despite them doing their best, everything goes disastrously wrong. The show also features Buster Keaton and other classic silent film comedy stars, with live piano accompaniment.

Buy tickets to Thief of Bagdad for 15% off Northern Silents Double Bill at Hull Truck Theatre.

 

Hull Independent Cinema: Thelma

When 93-year-old Thelma gets duped by a phone scammer, she wants her money back. But the police don’t take it seriously, and her family won’t help, so Thelma recruits reluctant pal Ben to track down the crooks themselves.

Presented with Descriptive Subtitles

USA | 2024 | 97 Min | Comedy

Hull Independent Cinema: Orlando – My Political Biography

Taking Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando as its starting point, this hybrid documentary-drama sees a cast of more than twenty trans and non-binary individuals perform interpretations of scenes from the novel, weaving into Woolf’s narrative their own stories of identity and transition.

Subtitled Screening, Presented with Descriptive Subtitles

France | 2023 | 98 Min | Documentary, LGBTQ+

Hull Independent Cinema: Crossing

When Lia learns that her long-lost niece Tekla might be in Turkey, she sets off to Istanbul. Looking for someone who never intended to be found proves harder than she thought, until she meets Evrim, a lawyer fighting for trans rights.

 

Sweden, Denmark, France, Turkey, Georgia | 2024 | 105 Min | Drama, LGBTQ+

Hull Independent Cinema: The Beast

In 2044, AI controls all facets of society as humans routinely “erase” their feelings. Hoping to eliminate the pain of past romances, Gabrielle continually falls for different incarnations of the enigmatic Louis as she explores past lives in different times and parts of the world.

 

France | 2023 | 147 Min | Drama, Romance, Sci Fi

Hull Independent Cinema: Rosalie

France, 1870’s. Rosalie is a young woman who hides a secret: thick body and facial hair that she shaves to fit in. When Abel, an indebted bar owner, marries Rosalie for her dowry, will he be able to love her for the woman she is?

Subtitled Screening, Presented with Descriptive Subtitles

France | 2023 | 115 Min | Drama, LGBTQ+

Hull Independent Cinema: Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry

Etero, a woman living in a small village in Georgia, is single by choice. She cherishes her freedom, so when she unexpectedly finds herself falling into a passionate relationship she is faced with a stark choice between commitment and independence.

Subtitled Screening

Georgia | 2023 | 111 Min | Drama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hull Independent Cinema: La Chimera

Renegade British archaeologist Arthur leads a band of Italian grave robbers in search of illicit treasures. But haunted by memories of lost love, he is increasingly drawn to the past and the mysteries of the earth.

Subtitled Screening, Presented with Descriptive Subtitles

Italy, France, Switzerland | 2023 | 131 Min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Hull Independent Cinema: Elaha

Elaha, 22, believes she must restore her supposed innocence before she weds. A surgeon could reconstruct her hymen but she cannot afford such an operation. She asks herself: Why does she have to be a virgin anyway, and for whom?

Subtitled Screening, Presented with Descriptive Subtitles

Germany | 2023 | 110 Min | Drama

Hull Independent Cinema: Strike – An Uncivil War

The Miners’ Strike of 1984/85 was the most divisive, violent industrial dispute Britain has ever witnessed. With personal testimony, formerly hidden government documents and unseen archive, STRIKE tells the story of the confrontation between miners and police at the Battle of Orgreave.

Presented with Descriptive Subtitles.

UK | 2024 | 110Mins | Documentary

Hull Independent Cinema: Io Capitano

The experiences of two Senegalese teenagers who yearn for a brighter future. Between their dreams and reality lies a treacherous journey through checkpoints, scorched desert, prison and passage across the vast waters of the Mediterranean where thousands have died before them.

Presented with Descriptive Subtitles.

Italy, Belgium, France | 2023| 121 Min | Drama

Hull Independent Cinema: Tiger Stripes

The first amongst her friends to hit puberty, Zaffan, 12, discovers a terrifying secret about her body. Ostracised by her community, Zaffan fights back, learning that to be free she must embrace the body she feared.

 

Presented with descriptive subtitles.

 

Ireland, UK | 2023 | 95 Min | Drama, Horror

Hull Independent Cinema: That They May Face The Rising Sun

Joe and Kate have returned from London to live and work in a small, rural, lakeside community in Ireland. The drama of a year in their lives unfolds through the rituals of work, play and the passing seasons.

Presented with descriptive subtitles.

Ireland, UK | 2023 | 111 Min | Drama

Hull Independent Cinema: Driving Mum

Middle-aged bachelor Jon lives alone with his mother on a farm so remote it’s easiest to reach by boat. When Mamma dies, Jon feels obliged to honour her last wish to buried in her home town – a long and difficult drive across the whole of Iceland. Mamma might be dead, but that doesn’t stop her spending the journey criticising Jon’s life choices from the back seat. Reminiscent of Kaurismaki’s deadpan comedy, this droll, dark film set in breathtaking landscapes swept the board with nine Icelandic Academy Awards.

Starring Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson, Kristbjörg Kjeld, Hera Hilmar

Dir Hilmar Oddsson | 2022 | Estonia, Iceland |  112 min | 12A | Icelandic