The true story of a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California.

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places until he meets Lonnie, A charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck (Kelsey Grammar), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to a Jesus Revolution that changed the world. One of the most appealing faith-based big-screen entertainments in a while, polished and persuasive without getting too preachy. The film is inspirational and beautiful when Pastor Chuck opens his church to those in need of guidance. Jonathan Roumie is charismatic as the hippie preacher. A surprise hit from the summer season.

USA 2023 Jon Erwin / Brent McCorkle 120m

Exhibition on Screen

Who was Frida Kahlo? Everyone knows her, but who was the woman behind the bright colours, the big brows, and the floral crowns? Take a journey through the life of a true icon, discover her art, and uncover the truth behind her often turbulent life.

Sat 30 Sep 16:00

Tue 3 Oct 15:45

Saúl (Gael García Bernal), a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the "Liberace of Lucha Libre." In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life.

In the lucha libre wrestling scene of Juárez, Mexico, gay luchador Saúl is tired of playing El Topo, a nondescript, masked runt who always loses his matches. He wants to be a star. His fierce new trainer, Sabrina, suggests he develop an exótico character - an unmasked, stereotypically effeminate role audiences love to hate. But exóticos never get to win. All that changes when Saúl debuts the flamboyant and powerful Cassandro, who captures the crowd’s attention and affection. But how will Cassandro’s ascent affect Saúl’s relationship with his mother - still pining away for his unavailable father - and with Gerardo, Saúl’s secret lover?

A single mom named Gabbie hires a tour guide, a psychic, a priest and a historian to help exorcise her newly bought mansion after discovering it is inhabited by ghosts.

Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star ensemble cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Dan Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost. Like the Disney theme-park attraction upon which it’s based, at its best it’s entertaining in a quaint, late-’60s way, which makes it a pleasant summer surprise. The first of four horror films in this Autumn Season, although this one is definitely on the light-hearted side.

USA 2023 Justin Simien 123m

Tokyo Story is a Yasujirô Ozu masterpiece whose rewarding complexity has lost none of its power more than half a century on.

The elderly Shukishi (Chishu Ryu) and his wife, Tomi (Chieko Higashiyama), take the long journey from their small seaside village to visit their adult children in Tokyo. Their elder son, Koichi (Sô Yamamura), a doctor, and their daughter, Shige (Haruko Sugimura), a hairdresser, don't have much time to spend with their aged parents, and so it falls to Noriko (Setsuko Hara), the widow of their younger son who was killed in the war, to keep her in-laws company. Ozu only has to train his camera on a face to uncover a sense of resignation, or longing, or loneliness, and the mood, if you allow it, becomes quite overwhelming. (Subtitles)

Japan 1953 Yasujirô Ozu 136m

A sheriff tries to keep the peace when a desperate family man violently robs a pill mill with his brother-in-law, alerting an enforcer for the New Orleans mafia.

Deep in the heart of Dixie, in a small town struggling with the ravages of addiction, a local sheriff (John Travolta) tries to maintain the peace when desperate family man Shelby (Shiloh Fernandez) robs a pill mill with his reckless brother-in-law, Trey (Kevin Dillon). But the supposedly easy score takes a violent turn, alerting the New Orleans mafia's revenge-seeking enforcer (Stephen Dorff), who threatens Shelby's wife (Ashley Benson) and daughter. With its unpredictable twists and turns, ‘Mob Land’ is a heart-pounding, action thriller shaded with thoughtful ruminations on guilt and the dying of the American Dream.

Canada 2023 Nicholas Maggio 111m

Textile artist Allan Brown spends seven years making a dress by hand from foraged stinging nettles, all picked on the South Downs near Brighton.

Beautifully filmed by award-winning documentary maker Dylan Howitt, ‘The Nettle Dress’ follows Allan along the whole seven-year journey. This is 'hedgerow couture', the greenest of slow fashion. It's also his medicine, the way he survives the death of his wife, that left him and his four children bereft. The challenge of making near zero carbon clothing sourced within a few miles of his home means re-learning ancient crafts and recalls Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale ‘Wild Swans'. From early experiments making nettle thread, through foraging, processing, spinning, weaving and cutting the cloth. Finally, a vision of the dress back in the woods where the nettles were picked, worn by one of his daughters.

Follows four college friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, successful architect Malcolm, struggling artist JB, and prodigious lawyer Jude. As ambition, addiction, and pride threaten to pull the group apart, they always find themselves bound by their love for Jude and the mysteries of his past. But when those secrets come to light, they finally learn that to know Jude St Francis is to understand the limitless potential of love in the face of life. Content Warning: This production includes strong language, nudity, sexual violence, physical and emotional abuse, self-harm and suicide. It is intended for mature audiences and viewer discretion is advised.

Thu 28 Sep 19:00

Sun 1 Oct 13:00

Ewan, a government whistleblower, and Silke, his forthright Flemish wife are sent to a remote country house in west Belgium. Joined by two close protection officers, they await the arrival of a British journalist.

From its early scenes of bickering, awkwardness and rising tension, through to its shockingly violent ending, this elegantly constructed, endlessly intriguing black comedy shares the combined DNA of 1970s US conspiracy thrillers, British kitchen-sink dramas and Pinteresque stage comedies. A confined story of mismatched people thrown together in a rural hideout. But it is the bold play of diverse influences, pitch-black gallows humour, sharply amusing dialogue and stark, perceptive characterisation that singles out director Maskell as a singular talent behind the camera. Mightily impressive and dripping with dark humour, this is a short and glorious little British film.

UK 2022 Neil Maskell 80m

In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a séance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.

Kenneth Branagh returns with his stunning portrayal of detective Hercule Poirot in the newest Agatha Christie adaptation, ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ based on her novel ‘Hallowe'en Party’. For the third time, Branagh will be directing and starring. Agatha Christie remains the best-selling fiction author of all time and the queen of whodunits. This time her Belgian protagonist is retired and living a secluded life in Venice, when he is invited to a séance and begrudgingly attends. When a guest is murdered at the haunted palazzo where the séance is held, Poirot must come out of retirement and put his hung-up detective skills back to work. In doing so, he uncovers a hidden world of secrets and awakens the ghosts of a forgotten past.

USA 2023 Kenneth Branagh 103m

Celebrating the life and work of glam rock pioneer Marc Bolan, combined with a behind-the-scenes look at the tribute album of the same name.

‘Angelheaded Hipster’ is the first documentary to explore the creation and interpretation of the music and lyrics of Marc Bolan who died at the age of 29 in 1977. Using archival performances, interviews with Bolan, and filmed interpretations by artists such as Nick Cave, John Cameron Mitchell, Joan Jett, Macy Gray, U2, Lucinda Williams, Father John Misty, & others, this documentary creates an exuberant and thoughtful celebration of a true original. Illuminated with interviews by his great friend David Bowie, Ringo Starr, Elton John and many more. We will also be screening ‘Bolan’s Shoes’ starring Timothy Spall from 20 Oct.

USA 2022 Ethan Silverman 110m

In this ballet of pain and mutilation, Bruce Lee is a matchless Nureyev. The others are just athletes - he made karate a film art.

Bruce Lee plays a martial-arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for the death of his sister. Lee enters a kung fu competition in an attempt to fight his way to the dealer's headquarters with the help of some friends. While the West had seen a very clichéd version of Asian characters on screen in the 70s, ‘Enter the Dragon’ broke many conventions from the diversity of the characters to how action is handled in the movie. The movie’s success contributed to mainstream interest in forms of martial arts and also inspired numerous action films, television shows, games, comic books, manga and animé, which are pretty popular today.

Hong Kong/USA 1973 Robert Clouse 102m

Things go bump in the night in this derivative, pulpy and very very scary ‘monster in the basement’ movie.

Eight-year-old Peter is plagued by a mysterious, constant tap, tap from inside his bedroom wall – a tapping that his parents insist is all in his imagination. As Peter’s fear intensifies, he believes that his parents (Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr) could be hiding a terrible, dangerous secret and questions their trust. And for a child, what could be more frightening than that? The film benefits from strong performances and a haunting atmospheric tone. Chris Thomas Devlin’s script has enough sick, witty ideas to make the fearsome goings-on seem fresh and immediate. The second of four horror films this season that make up the Chichester Cinema Creepy Carnival that leads up to Halloween.

USA 2023 Samuel Bodin 88m

Royal Opera House

Expect sun, fun and vocal acrobatics in Laurent Pelly’s much-loved staging of Donizetti’s intoxicating and witty comedy. Country boy Nemorino is determined to win the haughty Adina’s heart, but she refuses to give him the time of day. Can Doctor Dulcamara’s so-called ‘elixir of love’ work its magic?

Sun 8 Oct 14:30

Scottish animators Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson star in and co-direct this inventive documentary where an animator edits together pieces of a failed film for his mother.

Albeit framed as a film for Will's mother, we too are invited to witness how Will deals with the grief of his mother's cancer. The duo work on their animations and face the frustrations of trying to make this documentary. Whilst alone, Will turns to DOM, the animated cat that lives on his laptop screen. Over the course of several confusing years, struggling to raise finance and complicating everyone’s lives, the project stalls. Attempting to reclaim the initial sentiment of the film, and in the hope of finding closure for both him and his mum, Will edits together pieces of the failed film to share with her.

UK 2022 Will Anderson & Ainslie Henderson 75m

A northern pub landlord confronts locals’ hostility towards Syrian immigrants in Loach’s latest – and possibly last – piece of politically trenchant cinema.

The Old Oak is the name of his pub, the one community meeting place in a deprived north-eastern former mining town – and it is in dire need of refurbishment. His regulars are seething with rage, livid at the collapse in house prices and brooding over YouTube videos about immigrants. Then a busload of terrified Syrians arrives and the tension gets worse. Rather than show you what solidarity looks like, Loach lets you in on what it feels like. The result is one of his most moving films, a presentation of the world not as Loach thinks it should be, but as it might and can become.

Liam (Daryl McCormack), an aspiring and ambitious young writer, eagerly accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol, renowned author J.M. Sinclair (Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant). But soon, Liam realizes that he is ensnared in a web of family secrets, resentment, and retribution. Sinclair, his wife Hélène (Academy Award nominee Julie Delpy), and their son Bertie (Stephen McMillan) all guard a dark past, one that threatens Liam’s future as well as their own. Cleverly constructed, fresh and fascinating, the film unfolds with a tonic intelligence and a slow accretion of menace, Alex MacKeith’s screenplay is smoothly in sync with the specific skills of each performer.

Arena di Verona

In the magical setting of the Arena di Verona, celebrating its 100th season, the ‘King of Tenors’, Jonas Kaufmann will take you on an unforgettable musical journey. Featuring the most beautiful opera arias, moving songs and film classics.

Sun 15 Oct 15:15

Donya works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory in San Francisco. Formerly a translator for the US military in Afghanistan, she struggles to put her life back in order. Her routine changes when she’s promoted to writing the fortunes at her job at a fortune cookie factory in the city. In a moment of sudden revelation, she decides to send out a special message in a cookie. Featuring a cast of unforgettable, unique characters, and anchored by a beguiling debut performance from real-life Afghan refugee Anaita Wali Zada, Fremont is an ode to the curious beauty of trying to build a new life in a strange land.

Paul Robeson: The Tallest Tree In Our Forest

To mark Black History Month, a talk, illustrated with a range of clips, on Paul Robeson, academic, lawyer, sportsman, film star, singer and activist. ‘Show Boat’ will be screened later this month. Mike Jennings, of the cinema’s Education Team, will discuss the life and career of this pioneering trailblazer for Afro-American artists.

Sat 14 Oct 10:00 – In the Auditorium

Exhibition on Screen

This is the second Exhibition on Screen documentary of the season in readiness for the new release of ‘Klimt & the Kiss’ in late October. Released in 2018 on the 500th anniversary of his death, this is the definitive film about Leonardo: the first to truly tell the whole story.

Sat 14 Oct 14:30

Thu 19 Oct 18:00

Yasujirô Ozu's last film is a superbly composed family drama about a father and daughter both intent on sacrificing their own happiness for each other.

In the wake of his wife's death, aging Shuhei Hirayama (Chishu Ryu) struggles to maintain balanced relationships with his three children. He tends to spoil his eldest, the happily married Kazuo (Shinichiro Mikami), who spends more of his father's money than his own. The middle child, 24-year-old Michiko (Shima Iwashita), is looking for love herself, but feels obligated to run Shuhei's household and care for his youngest child, teenager Koichi (Keiji Sada), who can't connect with his father. Ozu's exquisitely tender final film should not be missed.

Japan 1962 Yasujirô Ozu 112m

40th Anniversary Remaster

Considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in December of 1983. Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary.

Sat 14 Oct 20:30

In the summer of 2014 - the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings - octogenarian Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine) made global headlines. He'd staged a "great escape" from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades. It was a story that captured the imagination of the world - Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, "can-do" spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing. But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. Bernie's adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Irene (Glenda Jackson).

It captures the heady exhilaration of glam rock mania through the experiences of a group of over-excited kids from a local children's home before a devastating road accident changes their lives for ever. Years later, and still clinging to the adoration of her childhood idol, survivor Penny takes best friend and fellow Marc Bolan fan to visit his shrine in London but a chance encounter there catapults her back to the horror she had tried so hard to forget. Bolan's Shoes is a joyful celebration of Seventies culture and brims with the energy of that vibrant era. Look out for the Marc Bolan/T. Rex documentary ‘Angelheaded Hipster’ also screening this season from 6 Oct.

The Magic of Powell and Pressburger

To accompany a short season of films from Powell and Pressburger, this illustrated talk will explore the unusual filmmaking partnership known as The Archers. We will also be screening ‘The Red Shoes in December. This illustrated talk from freelance critic, curator and film historian Pamela Hutchinson will explore the roots of their partnership.

Sat 21 Oct 10:30 – In the Auditorium

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron) falls for a government worker, Mr Dean (David Farrar), and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love. It is a landmark film with bold colours and enormous landscapes, about tension and eroticism boiling beneath the façades.

Met Opera Premiere

Jake Heggie’s powerful work has its highly anticipated Met premiere in a new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer.

Sun 22 Oct 14:30

Franz Rogowski plays self-obsessed film director Tomas, married to artist Martin (Ben Whishaw), but forever curious for more. That more arrives in the shape of Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a teacher he meets at a bar before finding himself in her bedroom. He’s brazenly proud when recounting the tale back at home but when lust turns to love, or at least his concept of it, whatever conflicted openness Martin might have previously had soon curdles into distaste. Its sophisticated approach to romance (or, perhaps, the absence of it) is not too cool or alienating, because Sachs and his sterling cast give the film such textured, specific life. N.B. This is an 18-certificate film containing graphic sex scenes.

In this vivid adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story, the ghost of Sir Simon Canterville (Stephen Fry) has been roaming his castle for centuries, searching for a descendant who can release him from his curse by performing a brave deed. The only problem is – he keeps scaring them away!    Finally - a family move in, who refuse to be startled, and Sir Simon is able to tell his tale to the inquisitive and courageous Virgina (Emily Carey). Can the two of them survive The Ghost Catcher (Miranda Hart), and The Reverend (Toby Jones), to bring balance to the castle and set Sir Simon free? The all-star voice cast features Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton and Freddie Highmore.  

Set in 1960s Ireland, this film tells the story of “funny, messy, vocal and flawed” working-class women who have never left their homes in the suburbs of Dublin. With “benevolent interference” from their local priest, they escape their daily struggles when they win the prize of a lifetime – a church talent competition that takes them to a place of miracles, the sacred French town of Lourdes. The film succeeds mainly because of a flawless ensemble, among whom viewers can put their faith in the eternally dependable Smith stealing the movie. This is a story of forgiveness and understanding that will provoke tears and laughter.

Golda is a ticking-clock thriller set during the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, faced with the potential of Israel’s complete destruction, must navigate overwhelming odds, a sceptical cabinet, and a complex relationship with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber), with millions of lives in the balance. Her tough leadership and compassion would ultimately decide the fate of her nation and leave her with a controversial legacy around the world. ‘Golda’ is more a suspense-filled chamber war drama and less of a biopic. Nevertheless, it delivers as a taught piece of cinema with a commanding central performance by the ever-reliable Helen Mirren.

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tyre during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O'Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky." 100 minutes of pure queer celebration that manages to concoct a bizarre cocktail of sincerity and reckless abandon.

Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster (Wendy Hiller) travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil (Roger Livesey), who holds a secret that may change her life forever. It’s a remarkable study of a place and a people. This study is never quaint, traveloguish, educational or condescending. Filmed on location, the topography of the islands will stay with you long after the credits.

Sheltered beauty Magnolia Hawks (Irene Dunne) takes over as the show's leading lady when mulatto Julie (Helen Morgan) and her white husband are forced out of town by a narrow-minded sheriff. Charismatic opportunist Gaylord Ravenal (Allan Jones) wins Magnolia's heart, but his gambling losses threaten to ruin their chances for a happy marriage. This is a superb film version of one of the classic American musicals with the high point, now and forever, being Paul Robeson singing his immortal rendition of ‘Ol' Man River.’ Screening during Black History Month, and in conjunction with a talk on Robeson on Oct 14.

When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd - levitating, speaking in tongues - her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job. Game-changing films are often the object of parody and referencing which tend to chip away at their status. However, ‘The Exorcist’ is still very scary and its notorious scenes still make for uncomfortable viewing.

Exhibition on Screen

This is an exquisitely rich film that delves into the detail and passion surrounding Gustav Klimt’s iconic artwork as well as revealing the scandalous life of the artist himself. Painted in Vienna around 1908, the evocative image of an unknown embracing couple has captivated viewers with its mystery, sensuality and dazzling materials ever since it was created.

Mon 30 Oct 18:15

Tue 31 Oct 16:00

Thu 2 Nov 13:45