Welcome to the 5th annual Buxton Film Festival.
As ever, we’re presenting a feast of great films—a mix of current and classics including a few for families to enjoy together.
We recently discovered that the director Robert Stevenson, who made many well-known films such as Mary Poppins, was born in Buxton. With generous help from Film Hub North West Central we’re able to commemorate his life and work with special events, an exhibition and some of his best films — we’re also publishing a small biographical pamphlet about him so look out for that.
Another first for us this year is the involvement of a group of young people from the University of Derby who are organising some exciting things on Tuesday 11th.
All events will be held in the Pavilion Arts Centre. Tickets will be available on the door or bookable in advance at the Buxton Opera House box office (in person, online or 01298 72190).
We hope you enjoy this year’s festival and look out for the pop-up bookshops provided by Scriveners and The Bookstore, Brierlow Bar.
Tickets to all main feature films £5 (£3 Children) available on the door or in advance from the Buxton Opera House box office – in person, online or 01298 72190
Printed leaflets will be distributed soon – for a simple listing go to the Festival diary page here.
(Clicking on the title of the film should take you to the trailer if it’s available.)
Monday 10th April
2.00 pm
Installation of plaque to commemorate director Robert Stevenson in the Pavilion Gardens – generously donated by Unsworth’s Memorials.
2.30 pm
Jane Eyre (PG)
Dir. Robert Stevenson 1943 USA, 97 mins
Our Festival opens with what is still one of the best Brontë screen adaptations. Directed by Buxton-born Robert Stevenson, with a script co-written by Aldous Huxley and starring Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles (look out for a young Elizabeth Taylor who is not credited). Jane Eyre remains a compelling gothic literary landmark – much, much more than a love story.
This event is supported by Film Hub North West Central proud to be a member of the BFI Film Audience Network
6.30pm
This is Us
This is a free event – by invitation. For tickets please contact Colin Floyd oppstospeak@googlemail.com
Buxton Film are proud to support local film makers and projects. This is Us is a film made by a group of local learning-disabled people called Opportunity To Speak. The group is facilitated by the Peaks & Dales Advocacy based in Buxton and they made the film to give themselves the opportunity to voice their thoughts and to tell the world that, as individuals, they have the same dreams and aspirations as everyone else.
“The idea for the film originated from one of our members during an issue-based session on bullying and discrimination. The group thought that it would be a great way to tell people how we felt about the world around us and also to involve other learning-disabled people as we wanted to give others a voice.”
“Being part of the group has given us the skills and confidence to speak out and challenge other people’s opinions. It’s a great place to meet new friends and Is a safe space to have your say on things that are important to you. We don’t judge anyone and respect everyone’s right to be themselves.”
“We are looking for new members and if you, or anyone you know, is interested please contact either Anne or Colin on Facebook at Opportunity to Speak or by email (see above)”
Tuesday 11th April
11.00am
Biographical talk on director Robert Stevenson including:
Know Your Ally: Britain
Dir. Robert Stevenson, 1944 UK, 44 mins
Also known as Know Your Allies and Know Your Enemies the short film was made as an introduction to the British people and their customs for the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II.
This event is supported by Film Hub North West Central proud to be a member of the BFI Film Audience Network
Screenings at 3pm and 6pm (events start at 2pm)
The Wizard of Oz (U)
Dir. Victor Fleming 1939
Two special charity fund-raising screenings organised by Events Management students from the University of Derby. Enjoy one of cinema’s landmark achievements and look out for special events taking place around the Arts Centre to add to the family fun. These will include face-painting, balloons, photos with Dorothy and other characters from the film.
Please note that tickets for this event are £6 (adults) £3 (children). Tickets can be purchased from the reception in the University Dome or from 7pm on Mondays at the Pavilion Arts Centre where family tickets ((£15) will also be available.
This event is being organised entirely by the University Of Derby students where it will form part of their course assessment so please direct any enquiries to them: movienightbuxton@gmail.com
Wednesday 12th April
11.00am
1984 (15)
Dir. Michael Radford 1984 UK, 113 mins
Sir John Hurt – one of our great film actors was born in Derbyshire, in the mining village of Shirebrook near Chesterfield. In choosing a film by which to remember him at this Festival dozens came to mind. In the end this necessarily chilling adaptation of Orwell’s masterpiece – with Hurt as Winston Smith and Richard Burton as O’Brien virtually chose itself.
2.30pm
Chocolat (12)
Dir. Roschdy Zem, 2016 France, 119 mins
This lavish and totally engaging French film is based on the life of Rafael Padilla – a Cuban-born slave who becomes a star clown in Paris around the turn of the 20th century. Omar Sy delivers a moving performance as the black clown, Chocolat, and he is strongly supported by James Thierrée who plays his stage partner George Footit.
7.30pm
Snowden (15)
Dir. Oliver Stone, 2016 France/Germany/USA, 134 mins
For some Edward Snowden is a patriot who uncovered illegal government surveillance – to others he is a traitor who compromised the security of his country. As the Trump administration develops it seems probable that other Americans will wrestle with their consciences when it comes to social responsibility versus national duty. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is brilliant in Oliver Stone’s gripping account.
Thursday 13th April
11.00am
King Solomon’s Mines (U)
Dir. Robert Stevenson, 1937 UK, 77 mins
Robert Stevenson filmed a number of literary adaptations and King Solomon’s Mines anticipates Indiana Jones in many ways. This – the first of five versions – includes Paul Robeson – who inevitably has some singing to do – and Anna Lee (Stevenson’s wife at the time). Sir Cedric Hardwicke is our hero, Allan Quartemain, in what remains, 80 years later, good fun.
This event is supported by Film Hub North West Central proud to be a member of the BFI Film Audience Network
2.30pm
Hunt For The Wilderpeople (12A)
Dir. Taika Waititi, 2016 New Zealand, 101 mins
This funny, moving and beautiful film from New Zealand director Taika Waititi has become a word-of-mouth hit the world over. Ricky is a ‘difficult’ young teenager; he goes to live with his cantankerous step-uncle, Hector. The two go missing and the authorities fear the worst. A manhunt is launched but meanwhile Ricky and Hector learn to survive in the wilderness.
7.30pm
Chi-Raq (15)
Dir. Spike Lee, 2016 USA, 127 mins
Set in modern day Chicago, Spike Lee’s musical satire is a re-working of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata and is written in rhyming couplets. It is in turns bawdy, violent and hilarious. Lee shows us the everyday experiences that some Americans face and whilst he offers no solutions to their problems he dares us to ignore the dehumanising effect of much urban life.
Friday 14th April
11.00am
Cameraperson (15)
Dir. Kirsten Johnson, 2016 USA, 102 mins
Kirsten Johnson’s unusual documentary has enthralled and engaged audiences across the world. Johnson has put together a scrapbook of film she has shot over the past 25 years. She has lived and worked in the US, Bosnia, the Yemen, Rwanda, Nigeria and Afghanistan. Her work focusses on human stories at times of stress and anxiety; Cameraperson raises questions about the role of the filmmaker.
2.30pm
Light Years (12A) + Q&A
Dir. Esther May Campbell, 2015 UK, 89 mins
Esther May Campbell is a singular talent in British filmmaking. Her short film September won many awards (including Buxton Film’s) and she has since directed Sir Kenneth Branagh in Wallander. Light Years is an imaginative examination of how a family copes when a parent is affected by deteriorating physical and mental health. Starring singer-songwriter Beth Orton it also considers modern life on the urban/rural fringes.
We are delighted that Esther will join us to talk about her work and answer your questions
7.30pm
A United Kingdom (12A)
Dir. Amma Asante 2016 UK, 111 mins
Amma Asante’s profoundly moving film looks at little-remembered events in recent British history. Seretse Khama was a student in London in the late 1940s. He was also a prince in modern-day Botswana. He falls in love with, and marries, a white English girl. A United Kingdom is a romance, of course, but it is also an indictment of the shameful behaviour of politicians.
Saturday 15th April
11.00am
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (12A)
Dir. David Yates, 2016 UK/USA, 133 mins
Written by JK Rowling and starring Eddie Redmayne (with Johnny Depp) this first in a promised series of five films is bound to captivate a generation of filmgoers. Set in 1920s New York there are magicians, magical creatures, good wizards and bad. Fantastic Beasts is beautifully shot and there are plenty of breath-taking and exciting moments to thrill and astonish you.
2.30pm
The Light Between Oceans (12A)
Dir. Derek Gianfrance 2016 UK/New Zealand/USA, 133 mins
Alicia Vikander (Isabel) and Michael Fassbender (Tom) star in this heart-rending adaptation of ML Stedman’s hugely popular novel. Tom returns to Australia at the end of the First World War and takes on the job of lighthouse keeper. He meets Isabel and they fall in love and marry. All they need to complete their happiness is a child… Beautifully filmed and scored, be ready to cry.
7.30pm
Under The Shadow (15)
Dir. Babak Anvari, 2016 UK/Qatar/Jordan/Iran, 84 mins
Set in 1980s Tehran this Iranian horror film has been an on-line hit. A mother and her young child are living alone during the Iran-Iraq war and supernatural forces seem to invade their apartment. More than that she has to cope with the cultural restrictions on her lifestyle. The tension is sure to get to you in this expertly paced film.
Sunday 16th April
11.00am
Poor Cow (15)
Dir. Ken Loach, 1967 UK, 101 mins
Ken Loach’s first feature film – set amongst the crime and poverty of 60s London – is based on Nell Dunn’s novel and stars Carol White (Joy) and Terence Stamp with songs by Donovan. This is a film of its time but 50 years on the story of Joy and her life choices will still move you – and should end any nostalgia for ‘the good old days’.
2.30pm
Arrival (12A)
Dir. Denis Villaneueve, 2016 USA, 116 mins
At the heart of this brilliant sci-fi film is a towering performance by Amy Adams, playing linguist Louise Banks. Based on a short story by Ted Chiang Arrival addresses the challenges of communicating with invading aliens. Sci-fi is often exciting for the ideas, the possibilities that it introduces. Arrival succeeds at that level but is also an emotional, human triumph.
7.30pm
Paterson (15)
Dir. Jim Jarmusch, 2016 France/Germany/USA, 118 mins
Jim Jarmusch’s film is low-key, tender, charming, thoughtful, poetic. Paterson is a bus driver; he is also a poet and he writes every day. He is married to Laura and walks his bulldog Marvin. There is rhythm, repetition and certainty in his life; there are no big dramas. What can we learn from this small ordinariness? A gentle, reflective antidote.
Monday 17th April
11.00am
Güeros (15)
Dir. Alonso Ruis Palacios, 2014 Mexico, 106 mins
Shot in black-and-white Güeros was a triumph in Mexico when it was released there. Tomas, his brother Federico, and room-mate Santos are bored and decide to have a bit of an adventure. They set off to track down a folk singer from the 60s. Inspired by Dylan’s journey to visit a sick Woody Guthrie this is a good-natured story about coming-of-age in Mexico City.
2.30pm
Mary Poppins (U) – singalong
Dir. Robert Stevenson, 1964 USA, 139mins
We round-off our celebration of Robert Stevenson with a showing of his best-loved film. Join us in a sing-along screening: dress-up as a nanny, a sweep, a suffragette or a banker if you wish. Collect a goody-bag as you arrive containing tuppence, a spoon, paper and string and anything else we can squeeze in. Naturally it will be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
This event is supported by Film Hub North West Central proud to be a member of the BFI Film Audience Network
7.30pm
Moonlight (15)
Dir. Barry Jenkins, 2016 USA, 111mins
One of the very best films of the last 12 months Moonlight tells a simple story powerfully, directly yet subtly. Chiron grows up in Miami and we meet him as a ten-year-old. The film is in three chapters, set at different periods in Chiron’s life, with three actors taking the lead role. Barry Jenkins’ hypnotising and potent film was our only choice for ending this year’s Festival.