Juste Ciel!

Five nuns set their sights on winning the cash prize in a major cycling race to raise money to renovate a dilapidated hospice. The only hitch is that none of them can ride a bicycle.

When the local nursing home finds itself in dire straits and in danger of falling to pieces, it’s down to Mother Veronique (Valérie Bonneton) and the five eccentric sisters of the convent of St. Benedict to find a way to help. Spotting a poster for a bike race with a €25,000 cash prize (and the incentive of a trip to the Vatican for the winner!), the sisters might just have their answer. The only drawbacks are that they are terrible cyclists, and their rival convent, led by Mother Veronique’s childhood nemesis Mother Josephine (Sidse Babett Knudsen), have their own plans for the prize money – and just a little more experience. But God works in mysterious ways! Laurent Tirard’s hilariously absurd comedy will have you rolling in the aisles, and the stunning landscapes of France’s Jura region provide a beautiful backdrop too! (Subtitles)

France 2022 Laurent Tirard 87m

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, the world’s greatest love story, as never before seen. Fall in love with Shakespeare’s iconic tale all over again, with this brand new star-studded visionary movie-musical, a breathtaking reimagining of one of the world’s most iconic love stories.

Packed with original songs and music, this innovative twist on the theatrical classic features an incredible cast including Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Graves and Derek Jacobi. Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward bring the star-crossed lovers to life. Set from 1301 to 1303, the world’s most famous lovers find themselves central figures in the birth of the Italian Renaissance, and the wars that would end the Middle Ages. Caught in the heart of the battle for supremacy between the forces of the Holy Roman Empire and the Church, ‘Juliet & Romeo’ takes us on an epic journey of battles and betrayal, as the iconic duo turn the tides on history as we know it. But the biggest twist in this most beloved of tales, is leaving the poetry of iambic pentameter in the past. Original pop music rockets the story’s powerful themes right to the heart of our characters in the most surprising, and perhaps most powerful way ever to be imagined before. The greatest love story of all time, set to the greatest music of our time. The screening will include an exclusive recorded Q&A.

122m – No interval

Le Temps d’Aimer

A sprawling and poetic French period drama, beginning in the aftermath of World War II and unfolding over two decades, examining a mutually advantageous marriage of convenience that, against the odds, grows into real love.

In 1947 on a beach in Normandy, Madeleine (Anaïs Demoustier), a waitress in a hotel-restaurant and mother of a little boy, meets rich student François (Vincent Lacoste). He is unlike anyone she has met. He studies archaeology at the Sorbonne and, when he slips her a covert glass of champagne at the hotel where she waitresses, he toasts in ancient Greek. This is a substantial, involving drama that evocatively tallies the costs of living on the wrong side of social and sexual conventions in the 1950s and ‘60s. Director Quillévéré weaves a tale of guilt and unsuccessfully repressed desires that takes in homosexuality, race and polyamory. ‘Along Came Love’ portrays a type of bond where shared secrets eventually erupt, leading to both tragedy and release. (Subtitles)

France 2023 Katell Quillévéré 122m

A compelling exploration of engineless sailing through rivers, coastlines and open seas, shot on analogue film over three years.

We delve into the experiences of those who travel solely by harnessing the natural elements, following a diverse array of traditional boats and uncovering the unique rhythms and motivations of engineless navigation. ‘Wind, Tide & Oar’ creates a contemplative space, addressing themes of ecology, heritage, traditional skills and maritime history. Using a 1960s hand-wound camera, Wahl offers a poetic and intimate perspective on a millennia-old craft. Through the film's reveries, sailing becomes a means to explore our interaction with and responsibility to the environment. Inviting reflection on our relationship with nature, our understanding of and commitment to sustainability, and our care for the world around us. Beautifully photographed and edited.

UK 2024 Huw Wahl 84m