Hurst Village Cinema

Synopsis

Perhaps there should be a limit to the number of Kore-eda films we show, but as long as he keeps producing great films, I am more than happy to keep screening them.

Set in a small Japanese town, the young Minato is accused of bullying a classmate, leading to a series of unsettling events which Kore-eda shoots from several perspectives during the film, to great effect. This layered, multifaceted look at how individuals interpret and distort reality is filmed with Kore-eda’s typical sensitivity.

​Monster doesn’t provide easy answers, but instead offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of human behaviour and the often blurry line between victim and perpetrator. Thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, it’s another belter from Kore-eda.

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Location

Hurst Village Cinema, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Let’s end the Spring programme with a surprise! My brother-in-law spoke for many, mostly men, when he said: “why would I want to see a film about a doll?”

Well, firstly it is the film that made me laugh perhaps more than any other I’ve ever seen; secondly, it’s way more subversive than you would imagine; and finally it’s a joyous riot of colour, song and dance, which doesn’t take itself too seriously. I am going to estimate that 75% of those attending will have seen it before, which should send a message to those of my brother-in-law’s persuasion. I feel like a teacher giving a class a fun lesson at the end of term by showing this film, as it’s a long way from our usual fare, but there have been one or two hard-hitters in recent programmes, so we all deserve a treat before we break for the summer.

​Come and join in the Sunday afternoon fun!

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Location

Hurst Village Cinema, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

In a small traditional Georgian village, Etero has chosen to remain unmarried, making her an easy subject of gossip in the village. She cherishes her freedom, as much as her cakes, and is preparing for a peaceful and comfortable retirement away from others’ opinions. Unexpectedly, she finds herself sexually involved with a delivery man and is suddenly faced with the decision of whether to go down the traditional or independent route in pursuit of happiness. Gentle, sardonic and simply presented, the characters are real and openly presents what we all know but rarely get shown: that love and sex is not just for the shapely and young.

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Location

Blackbird, Blackbird, Blackberry, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

On a coach trip to Paris with her sister, Inger reveals her struggles with schizophrenia to the group, receiving both pity and discrimination. On arrival, it soon becomes clear that Inger has a hidden agenda for taking the trip, concerning a figure from her past, which ultimately involves the entire group in her hunt for answers.
A comedy-drama that gives a much more realistic view of the subject matter of neurodivergence, as it is in part based on the director’s experience. It is also brilliantly cast; Sophie Gråbøl is mesmerising and her antagonist on the trip could not be more convincing and unlikeable. It avoids the normal pitfalls of the ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ message and I expected it to be more uncomfortable watching; in the end I was charmed by it.

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Location

Rose, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book, Wilding tells the story of a young couple that bets on the future of their failing, 400-year-old estate at Knepp, daring to place the its fate in the hands of nature. Ripping down the fences, they set the land back to the wild and entrust its recovery to a motley mix of animals both tame and wild. It is the beginning of a grand experiment that will become one of the most significant rewilding experiments in Europe. This is a charming, hopeful and necessary story of ecological regeneration.

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Location

Wilding, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Set in 1889 France, Dodin Bouffant is a chef living with his personal cook and lover Eugénie. They share a long history of gastronomy but she refuses to marry him, so the food lover decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her. Lavishly shot and beautifully acted, Juliet Binoche and Benoit Magimel manage to convey their love for each other just in the way they handle and prepare food. Definitely a film for foodies but also engrossing enough for those with a layman’s interest. I recommend you do not watch this on an empty stomach.

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Location

The Taste of Things, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

We are delighted to be teaming up with HURSTFolk to screen this legendary live performance from Talking Heads, filmed in New York by Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia director, Jonathan Demme. An evening of high energy with musicians at the top of their game, it’s still as fresh and vibrant as ever. Mesmerising performance from front man David Byrne in what is often voted the best live concert film ever made. Still looks and sounds

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Location

Stop Making Sense, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Winner of four prizes including L'Oeil d'Or (Best Documentary) at Cannes, Four Daughters is a compelling portrait of five women and the unique ties that bind mothers and daughters. The opening scene, once we have grasped what is going on, is tense and mesmerising and the grip the film has on us never lessens. I left the screening simply not knowing what to feel about the matriarch of the family. It dips in and out of re-enactments and interviews, much as American Animals did, with confessions and reflections from the mother Olfa and her younger daughters, offering the women agency to tell their own story and capturing moments of joy, loss, violence, and heartache. A wonderful, moving film.

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Location

Four Daughters, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

One Life tells the incredible, emotional true story of Nicholas 'Nicky' Winton (Johnny Flynn/Anthony Hopkins), a young London broker who visits Prague in December 1938. In a race against time, Winton persuades the British Committee for Refugees in Czechoslovakia to rescue hundreds of predominantly Jewish children before Nazi occupation closes the borders. Fifty years later, Nicky (Anthony Hopkins) is haunted by the fate of the children he wasn't able to bring to safety in England. It's not until the BBC show ‘That's Life!’ re-introduces him to some of those he helped rescue, that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he carried, whilst making him an instant national hero.

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Location

One Life, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Guillermo del Toro’s work is a haunting and visually mesmerizing film that blends dark fantasy with historical drama.

Set in post-Civil War Spain in 1944, it follows Ofelia, who escapes into a mystical labyrinth to avoid the brutal reality of her world dominated by her sadistic stepfather, Captain Vidal, brilliantly played by Sergi López. In fact, I’ve rarely been as scared by a character in a film.

​A great film that outlines human capacity for both cruelty and kindness. Come and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.

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Location

Pan's Labyrinth, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

We don’t deliberately avoid showing comedies at HVC, it's just that good ones are really hard to find. This laid-back film from Lynn Shelton is a well-timed reminder that Americans can indeed poke fun at themselves, with delightful results.

It follows a pawnshop owner Mel, (played by Marc Maron, who also provides the deep South bluesy soundtrack), who becomes entangled in a bizarre conspiracy involving Civil War truthers. Couple Mary and Cynthia inherit an antique sword they believe could prove the South won the Civil War and Mel agrees to help them sell the piece, leading to a series of encounters with colourful characters.

​Blending humour with social satire it shows real characters reacting normally and unheroically under pressure.

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Location

Sword of Trust, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

In my opinion the greatest film ever made and perfect in every way. Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson admitted he is resigned to never making another film as good as this, and he made There Will be Blood, Boogie Nights and The Phantom Thread.

It centres around seven intertwined stories in the San Fernando valley, stories of flawed, complex characters struggling with trauma, regret and the desire for redemption. A stella cast, (Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, John C. Reilly) who produce pitch-perfect performances and a brilliant score by Aimee Mann, it’s a raw, emotionally intense film, boldly examining the pain of human connections, particularly with fathers.
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​The ultimate ‘come and see what all the fuss is about’ film.

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Location

Magnolia, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

One of those films you know you are in safe hands from the start and that you won’t be sent on an emotional rollercoaster.

Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days is a quiet, contemplative exploration of solitude and routine, following a Tokyo restroom cleaner named Hirayama. Through his meticulous daily rituals, we see beauty in ordinary moments: cleaning, listening to music, and taking in small details of city life. Koji Yakusho’s understated performance reveals Hirayama’s inner life without words, letting his actions convey depth and quiet resilience as well as simple dignity.

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Location

Perfect Days, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

This film from Brazil really plays to our British sensibility, with our historic class system and politeness.

Val is a loyal housemaid to a wealthy São Paulo family, but when her estranged daughter, Jéssica arrives, her independent spirit and unwillingness to adhere to social boundaries disrupt the household’s unspoken rules. Directed by Anna Muylaert, it delves into class divisions and family dynamics and Regina Casé delivers a standout performance as Val, whose personal journey highlights the sacrifices and complexities of maternal love.

​The sensitive direction and subtle social critique make the film a poignant, insightful look at inequality, family bonds, and the courage to seek change.

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Location

The Second Mother, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Shot in Sussex, we are delighted to welcome producer Simon Hasler to HVC for a Q&A after the screening and, if schedule allows, the director Elliott Hasler, former Hurst College pupil.

Vindication Swim tells the inspiring story of Mercedes Gleitze, a young woman in 1920s England who defies societal norms to pursue her dream of becoming the first woman to swim the English Channel. The film captures her resilience against not only physical and environmental challenges but also the intense gender biases of her time. With evocative period details and a moving central performance,

​Vindication Swim explores themes of determination, empowerment, and the fight for equality. Hasler’s direction brings an intimate and heartfelt perspective to Mercedes’ journey, making it a tribute to both courage and perseverance.

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Location

Vindication Swim, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

After my first attempt to screen a film in the vampire genre, Let the Right One In, produced precisely zero ticket sales, I was trepidacious about putting this on. However, it’s essentially a love story, very funny in places and a completely fresh take, as the title would suggest.

It follows Sasha, a young vampire who doesn’t want to kill and her meeting with Paul, a disillusioned boy who would rather not live. Their unconventional bond explores themes of mortality, loneliness, and the search for meaning in life, all underscored by quirky humour and poignant moments.

​I watched it twice in four days and immediately wanted others to see it. Touching, funny and unique.

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Location

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

A gripping drama which perfectly illustrates how teachers both hold positions of power and yet can also be powerless.

Set in a German high school, Carla is a young, dedicated teacher who is caught between the classroom and staffroom when a series of thefts spread suspicion through the school. In an attempt to get to the bottom of it, she triggers a series of unintended consequences that shake her trust in the system and her colleagues.

​Leonie Benesch produces an immaculate performance as the fresh teacher who gets caught in the middle of a complex maelstrom of power dynamics and tricky moral questions. It was one of those performances which made me forget I was watching an actor and just assumed I was following a teacher around on her daily business. Tense and thought provoking in equal measure, it will stay with you whether you have taught in a classroom or not.

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Location

The Teachers’ Lounge, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

Hard to get more Scandi than this darkly comic drama which sees Jon embark on a road trip with his mother, as her last request.

Shot in striking black and white, it starts as a seemingly absurd journey but gradually becomes a profound exploration of grief, guilt, and unresolved family issues. There is plenty of humour in it, as you would expect from this genre and the road trip structure gives it plenty of time to spread its wings and explore various themes.

​Throstur Leo Gunnarsson’s central performance is crucial to the effectiveness of the film, brilliantly highlighting humans’ tendency for lack of communication with each other. The stark Icelandic landscape adds an eerie and majestic quality to this wonderful film.

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Location

Driving Mum, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

With David Lynch’s passing earlier in January, what better tribute than to screen one of his popular, but perhaps lesser-known films. It also marks the last time I managed to drag my mother to the cinema with me and her verdict was: “I didn’t realise they made films like this.” Very much a compliment from her, believe me.

Based on a true story, it follows Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), an elderly man who embarks on a long and slow road trip across rural America to reconcile with his estranged brother. Instead of the usual Lynchian strangeness, the film is a simple, poignant meditation on aging, forgiveness, and the passage of time.

​Like Driving Mum, the landscape acts as another character in this unusual road movie. Gentle and heart-warming.

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Location

The Straight Story, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU

Synopsis

With all the buzz around Sean Baker’s Anora at the moment, it gives me a good excuse to show his magnificent 2017 film.  I’ve wanted to screen since I first saw it. David Saitch and I were talking to a community cinema colleague at the Sheffield awards about the film, and he said, “goodness, we couldn’t show that to our lot!” That always struck me as very condescending, but it also served to remind us how lucky we are that HVC has such a robust and open-minded membership, who are happy to absorb everything we throw at them.

​Willem Defoe is one of only a couple of recognised actors in the film as most of the parts are taken by those who have no acting experience. Six-year-old Brooklynn Prince is amazing, you feel the director just followed her around and filmed her, rather than giving her lines from a script, and Bria Vinaite as her mother is equally astonishing. A raw and vibrant exploration of those living on the margins of society, but told with a big heart.

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Location

The Florida Project, Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU