The new Community Cinema in the middle of Broughton continues this coming Friday with two screenings.
One is aimed at children and families in the afternoon, the other at adults in the evening.
Below, programmers Rory Bonass and James Mooney preview what’s in store.
The Goonies (1985), 114 mins, Certificate PG
The final film in our adventuring children series, this was always intended as a big finish.
It's is a choice trading heavily on its nostalgia, but just in case: The Goonies is the story of Mikey Walsh and his friends, who are trying desperately to save Mikey's family home from being bulldozed to make space for a golf development. Luckily, Mikey has found a treasure map which leads to a legendary pirate’s treasure …
The Goonies is, in many ways, the perfect adventure film; children saving something their parents don't know how to, a future hobbit, criminals, inventive traps. Richard Donner's classic has it all. It’s the perfect showcase for friendship, innocence and determination to do the right thing, no matter how scary. Saving your parents’ mortgage may be a decidedly Western pursuit, but the camaraderie, bravery and loyalty shown by each one of the characters is universal.
While this may not be as obscure as some of our choices, it’s no less cinematic, and this is family entertainment at it's most pure and diehard. But then, Goonies never say die, do they?—RB
This is the last of our current afternoon screenings, so please come along and help us make it a party! All ages are welcome, and children under 5 attend for free. Doors open at 2.00pm. Come in and join us for refreshments, and to meet the New Town Cinema community. There will be a brief introduction beforehand. The film will start at 2.30pm. Reserve your ticket in advance here (£6.44) or buy on the door (£5).
Taxi (2015), 82 minutes, Certicate PG12
The closing film in our season set in capital cities is Taxi, Jafur Panahi’s documentary-like portrait of the Iranian capital Tehran.
Taxi is Panahi’s third film since he received a 20-year ban from filmmaking, imposed by the Iranian government. However, whereas his previous films have been shot in secret – his This is Not a Film (2011) was actually shot in his apartment while he was under house arrest, and smuggled to Cannes in a cake! – Taxi is filmed in the open, albeit surreptitiously, from a Tehran taxi rigged with three hidden cameras and driven by Panahi himself.
Along the way, Panahi picks up passengers, engages them in conversation, and manages to get lost; through their interactions we get a sense of the complexities, despair and hope present in contemporary Iran.
Taxi features no credits, due to Panahi’s fear that his collaborators would face persecution from the Iranian authorities. It is a brave and original work from an outstanding filmmaker – but terrible taxi driver! Panahi shows what can be done with just three cameras and a passion for film, and for truth.‑JM
Doors open at 7.00pm. The 7:30pm screening will be preceded by a short introduction and followed by an opportunity for informal discussion. Reserve your ticket in advance here (£6.44) or buy on the door (£7; £5 concs).
