Born in the West Indies, Camille Pissarro found his passion in paint as a young man in Paris, where he drew a group of enthusiastic artists into a new collective, whose first show was scorned by the critics - the Impressionists. Through The Ashmolean Museum‘s remarkable archive and the first major Pissarro retrospective in four decades, this film explores his enthralling and hugely important biography and output.  qqq

To purchase tickets, click here.

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Jude Hill Lewis McAskie & Caitríona Balfe

Beautifully shot in black and white, this is a deeply personal film for writer/producer, Kenneth Branagh, winning best screen play at this year’s Oscars./2022

It is set in 1969 Belfast at the height of the Troubles and 9-year-old Buddy finds himself confronted by the ugly reality of sectarian conflict. As turmoil takes its toll on a once peaceful working-class neighbourhood his family ( and many others) has to decide whether to stay or leave for a more tranquil life in England.

Despite some violent scenes this is a funny and charming film with outstanding performances from the whole cast.

“Kenneth Branagh’s euphoric eulogy to his home city”” (Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian)

Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose

The original film of West Side Story won 10 Oscars in 1961 and Steven Spielberg’s handsome revival takes the well-known story and much-loved musical to new heights, with dazzling effect.

It reproduces the original period setting with stunning digital fabrications of late 50’s New York that some critics have described as hyperreal.

The Romeo and Juliet inspired couple, Tony and Maria, are caught up in a racially motivated turf war between two street gangs, the Puerto Rican Sharks and the white Jets.

“…a visually staggering revival “ (Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian}

“…a visually staggering revival” (Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian)

Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast: Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde

Penelope Cruz stars as Janis, a 40- year-old photographer, who is determined to raise her daughter on her own just as her mother and grandmother did before her. In the maternity ward she meets the teenaged Ana who is similarly intent on going it alone.

The two women become close and months later a genetic test will establish just how linked the two are. The problem is that Janis knows the truth and Ana does not.

Genetic testing also leads to buried secrets from the Spanish Civil War being exposed as Janis searches for her grandfather.

Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Jim Broadbent, Heather Craney & Stephen Rashbrook

Although it is based on a true story, at times ‘The Duke’ feels like a classic Ealing Studios comedy crime caper.

Jim Broadbent excels as the eccentric Kempton Bunton, the retired bus driver who achieved notoriety in the mid-60’s when he stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery (the only theft in the gallery’s history)

He sent ransom notes saying he would return the painting if the government invested more in the elderly, but it turned out to be more complicated than that.

“A truly lovely film” (Xan Brooks – Guardian)