Films at the Courtyard – November 2021

See below for the fantastic range of films at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts this November.

Sat 30 Oct – Tue 2 Nov

Annette (15)

Henry is a stand-up comedian with a fierce humour. Ann, an internationally renowned opera singer. Together, under the spotlight, they form a happy and glamorous couple. The birth of their first child, Annette, a mysterious girl with an exceptional destiny, will turn their lives upside down.

 Mon 1 – Thu 4

The alpinist (12A)

Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old Canadian makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Leclerc’s approach is the essence of solo adventure. Nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn’t own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let a film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. Veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer sets out to make a film about Leclerc but struggles to keep up with his elusive subject. Then, Leclerc embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing.

Mon 1 – Thu 4

Sweetheart (15)

A socially awkward, environmentally conscious teenager named AJ is dragged to a coastal holiday park by her painfully ‘normal’ family, where she becomes unexpectedly captivated by a chlorine smelling, sun-loving lifeguard named Isla.

 Wed 3 & Thu 4

Gagarine (cert tbc) Screening as part of the French Film Festival

Yuri, 16, has lived all his life in Gagarin Towers, a vast red-brick housing project on the outskirts of Paris. He dreams of becoming an astronaut. When plans to demolish Gagarin Towers leak out, Yuri joins the resistance. With his friends Diana and Houssam, he embarks on a mission to save their home, which has become his “starship.”

 Mon 1 & Thu 4

SPRING BLOSSOM (PG) Screening as part of the French Film Festival

Suzanne, a 16-year-old Parisian girl finds herself without a lack of friends, but bored of her own age group. By chance she meets a 35-year-old actor who she develops a relationship with, calling into question their levels of maturity against their ages.

Fri 5 – Thu 18

THe French Dispatch (15)

A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in “The French Dispatch Magazine”.

 Dates TBC

DUNE (12A)

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Mon 8 & Tue 16

Délicieux (cert tbc) Screening as part of the French Film Festival

In 1789 France, prior to the dawn of the Revolution, gastronomy remains strictly the domain of the aristocrats and the prestige of a noble house is dependent on the quality and reputation of its table. When the talented cook Manceron (Grégory Gadebois) serves an unapproved dish of his own creation, the repercussions are brutal, and he is promptly dismissed. He swears off his passion until the arrival of a mysterious woman (Isabelle Carré) who helps him create France’s very first restaurant. A wildly enjoyable tale of reignited passion, mentorship and revenge…

Tue 9 & Wed 17

Fahim (cert tbc) Screening as part of the French Film Festival

Forced to flee his native Bangladesh, eight-year-old chess prodigy Fahim arrives in Paris with his father. Refused asylum, as illegal immigrants they spiral downwards into homelessness and desperation. By a stroke of luck, Fahim is introduced to one of France’s top chess coaches, Sylvain (real name, Xavier Parmentier), who tutors him and gives him a sense of purpose – his struggles on the chessboard mirroring both his victories and his crushing defeats in his battle for a normal life. Fahim then rises through local and national tournaments only to be crowned France’s Under-12 Chess Champion in 2012.

Wed 10 & Thu 18

The Big Hit (cert tbc) Screening as part of the French Film Festival

Étienne, an often-out-of-work but endearing actor, runs a theatre workshop in a prison, where he brings together an unlikely troupe of prisoners to stage Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot. When he is allowed to take the colourful band of convicts on a tour outside the prison, Étienne finally has the chance to thrive. Each date is a new success and a unique relationship grows between this ad hoc group of actors and their director. But soon comes the final performance in Paris. Will their last night together be the biggest hit of them all? An uplifting comedy inspired by true events.

Sat 13 & Thu 18

Titane (18) Screening as part of the French Film Festival

A girl is injured in a car accident as her father explodes at her for humming too loudly. To save her life, surgeons insert a titanium plate into her head, which seems to give her a metal fetish. As a grown woman, Alexia (Agathe Rousselle in her first film role) is an exotic dancer at car shows, sexually aroused by the cars themselves. Also, she’s a serial killer. Palme d’Or Winner Cannes 2021

Tue 9 Nov – Wed 8 Dec

Petite Maman (cert tbc)

Nelly has just lost her grandmother and is helping her parents clean out her mother’s childhood home. She explores the house and the surrounding woods. One day she meets a girl her same age building a treehouse.

Fri 12 – Tue 16

The Last duel (18)

Marguerite de Carrouges claims she’s been raped by her husband’s best friend. But when no one believes her accusation, her husband challenges his friend to a duel, the last legally sanctioned duel in the country’s history.

Tue 16 – Thu 18

Quant (cert tbc)

The first official feature documentary celebrating the incredible life of one of the most influential icons of the 20th Century, fashion designer Dame Mary Quant. Featuring contributions from Kate Moss, Vivienne Westwood, Edward Enninful, Dave Davies, Charlotte Tilbury, Jasper Conran and Zandra Rhodes as well as Mary’s family and peers.

Fri 19 – Thu 25

Last night in soho (15)

In acclaimed director Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller, Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.

Fri 19 Nov – Wed 1 Dec

Spencer (cert tbc)

During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana contemplates her marriage to Prince Charles.

Sat 20, 11am (free pre-activity from 10.30am)

Addams Family 2 (U)

Everyone’s favourite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all-new movie, we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with “scream time.” To reclaim their bond, they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation.

Mon 22 – Thu 25

No Time To Die (12A)

Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Mon 22, 7.45pm

DetorRi (cert tbc)

From triple BAFTA winning director Anthony Wonke comes a feature length documentary on the life and career of iconic champion jockey Frankie Dettori. Preview courtesy of Munro Film.

Thu 25, 5.30pm

MYSTERY FILM (15)

TOP SECRET! Join us for a brand-new type of screening at The Courtyard Cinema! Each month one of our staff members will be selected to show a film of their choice and no one else can know what it is until the film starts rolling. It could be anything! This month’s film has been selected by Assistant Box Office Manager Victoria Veness. The Courtyard Mystery Film screenings are kindly sponsored by Beefy Boys.

Sat 27, 5pm

Naked (18) – Courtyard Cult Classic

Our Cult Classic screenings are returning! This November we’re looking at the early career of Mike Leigh and his black comedy Naked. Enjoy the then unknown David Thewlis as the unusual conspiricy theorist, Johnny. Winning Best Actor and Director at Cannes Film Festival, this project propelled Leigh’s career toward the legendary status he beholds today.

Sat 27, 11am (free pre-activity from 10.30am)

Boss Baby 2 (PG)

The Templeton brothers have become adults and drifted away from each other, but a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach is about to bring them together again – and inspire a new family business.