NEW FILM SEASON STARTS ON FRIDAY 29 FEBRUARY
As reported last week, the New Town Community Cinema will run two strands of films – one for families in the afternoon and one for adults in the evening – on alternate Fridays in the Glasite Meeting House at 33 Barony Street.
Below, programmers Rory Bonass and James Mooney introduce their first two choices.
Belleville Rendez-Vous (2003), 80 mins, Certificate 12A
Our season of alternative children's cinema begins with The Triplets of Belleville, released in the UK under the title Belleville Rendez-Vous.
Writer and director Sylvain Chomet's beautiful, bonkers film follows Madame Souza (and her fat dog) trying to rescue her cyclist grandson from nefarious gangsters, with the aid of three elderly music hall singers.
That's about the extent of the plot, and at 80 minutes it clips along very nicely. But to focus on the story is to miss the wonder of this film.
Told almost entirely without dialogue, it is an ode to animation history, a coffee-stained testament to love and a simple, funny adventure story, all at once.
With our children's series, we want to trust in the power of visual storytelling, and in a child's power to grasp the grand, even if they may not be able to explain all of it. A dog, a bike, gorgeous images and some beautiful music are a fine place to start.—RB
While this screening is suitable for children, it is open to all. Doors open at 2.00pm, film starts at 2.30pm, after a short introduction. Tickets £5.00 at the door or £6.44 if you buy them in advance here. Children aged under 3 go free.
The Illusionist (2010), 1 hr 30 mins, Certificate PG
Our season of films set in capital cities begins with an award-winning animation that showcases our very own Edinburgh in all its glory.
The Illusionist is adapted from an unproduced script written by Jacques Tati, which was originally intended to be set in Prague.
Sylvain Chomet moves the action to 1950s Scotland, where the illusionist of the title, Monsieur Tatischeff (Tati’s real name), attempts to eke out a living, performing in small venues to unappreciative audiences.
His biggest fan and only companion (apart from an ill-tempered white rabbit) is Alice, a young girl who is charmed by his apparently magical ability to conjure her desires from thin air, and who follows him to the capital.
The simple story, which is told with almost no dialogue, unfolds against a backdrop of familiar landmarks – from Arthur’s Seat and the Crags to Broughton Street’s Barony Bar – all beautifully rendered in hand-drawn animation.
It is rumoured that Tati intended the script as a personal love letter to his estranged daughter. What is certain is that, in The Illusionist, Chomet has produced a visual love letter to Edinburgh.—JM
The 7.30pm screening will be preceded by a short introduction and followed by an opportunity for informal discussion. Refreshments will be available. Doors open 7.00pm. Tickets: £6.00 at the door, or £7.48 if you buy in advance here.
If you've seen either of these films already, Spurtle would love to know what you think. If you'd like to comment after Friday's screenings, we're also keen to hear more. Contributions of any length are welcome at spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and Facebook and @theSpurtle
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For earlier Spurtle covering of The Illusionist, see Breaking news (16.6.10; 17.6.10; 19.8.10; 1.11.10).
Lesley Pearson Two wonderful films using traditional animation techniques to tell captivating stories without dialogue. Both magical, paricularly the evocation of 50s Edinburgh in The Illusionist.
Ella Taylor-Smith Seen both; recommend both. Extra recommendation for the Illusionist if you live in Spurtleshire
Kevin Adamson love the belleville one, fantastic