Let the Games Begin
June '09

The Damned United + talk

Tue 2 June 1800hrs

Dir: Tom Hooper UK ’09 1hr 37mins Cert 15
Football expert and author David Goldblatt gives a special talk on football legend Brian Clough, the prolific but unlucky centre-forward, who became the towering manager who steered Nottingham Forest to Cup victories at home and in Europe. Followed by a screening of The Damned United, Tom Hoopers’ darkly humorous study of Clough’s tempestuous six weeks in charge of Leeds United, written by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon) and based on the controversial novel by David Peace.
FFI: sonypictures.co.uk/movies/thedamnedunited

Sugar

Fri 5 – Thu 18 June

Dirs: Anna Boden/Ryan Fleck USA ’08 2hrs Subtitled Cert 15
As they skilfully avoided classroom and drug abuse clichés in their feature debut Half Nelson, Boden and Fleck similarly subvert the sports movie and immigrant’s tale with a wholly fresh and considered approach. Dominican teen Miguel “Sugar” Santos is a star pitcher who is drafted from his training facility to join the minor league baseball circuit in the United States. With authenticity, wit and intelligence, Sugar observes how the young man’s years of expectation are dampened by culture shock, injury and the machinery of professional sport, following him through his struggle to cast off the huge weight of expectations to realise his individual destiny.
FFI: sonypictures.com/classics/sugar

South West Premiere: Waveriders

Sat 6 June 1800hrs

Dir: Joel Conroy UK/Ireland ’08 1hr 18mins Cert PG
Called “the first essential surf movie since Riding Giants” by Film4, this is the previously untold history of the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing craze. The story unfolds through the inspirational and ultimately tragic history of Irish/Hawaiian legendary waterman, George Freeth. Freeth, son of an Irishman, was responsible for the rebirth of this sport of Hawaiian kings in the early twentieth century. With its distinguished cast of world-renowned Irish, British and Irish/American surfers, Waveriders journeys full-circle from Hawaii to California and back to Irish shores following Freeth’s wave of influence.
FFI: waveridersthefilm.com

Looking for Eric

Fri 12 June – Thu 2 July

Dir: Ken Loach UK/France/Italy/Belgium ’09 1hr 56mins Cert 15
Loach returns to the big screen with this philosophical footballing comedy. Soccer-mad Manchester postman Eric (Steve Evets) is losing control over what little remains of his life. His wife has gone, his stepsons are wild, but it is his own secret that is driving him to the brink. Despite misplaced goodwill from his mates, he eventually has to turn for help to his hero: footballing genius Eric Cantona. Shot through with the trademark attention to character and social conscience that underpin Loach’s work, it also makes great play of Cantona’s former public persona.
The 1800hrs screening on Wed 17 June will be introduced by writer and broadcaster David Goldblatt.

Tyson + talk

Tue 16 June 1800hrs

Dir: James Toback USA ’08 1hr 30mins Cert 15
A gritty and intimate portrait of one of boxing’s most controversial figures, Tyson recounts Iron Mike’s journey from his days as a teenage drug dealer and thief in New York to his meteoric rise to fame as the champion of the world, through to his shocking decline. Captured through the eyes of Tyson himself, Toback manages to crack the champion’s brooding exterior to expose both the best and worst of the most explosive enigma in the history of the sport.
Following the screening writer and academic Dr Edson Burton will lead a discussion ‘Tyson: Man and Metaphor – Race, masculinity, and sexuality in contemporary culture.’
FFI: tysonmovie.co.uk

Cinékids: Surf’s Up

Sat 20 June 1300hrs

Dirs: Ash Brannon/Chris Buck USA ’07 1hr 25mins Cert PG
It’s not just humans who can enjoy sport, right? This spirited animated comedy takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Penguin World Surfing Championship. Hailing from Shiverpool, Cody Maverick may be an amateur when it comes to hanging ten, but with a little help from his cantankerous King Penguin mentor, ex-surfing legend Big Z, there may be hope for this tuxedo-clad wave twister after all.

Cinékids features monthly screenings and events aimed at children between 8 and 12 years old.
Fee: £2.00 per child/£3.50 adults (must be accompanied by a child).
Please purchase tickets from the Box Office in person or call 0117 927 5100.

UK Premiere: The Red Race + intro

Wed 24 June 1800hrs

Dir: Chao Gan China/Germany ‘08 1hr 10mins Subtitled Cert 15
Set against the backdrop of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, The Red Race provides a rare insight into the inner workings of China’s gymnastic gold-winning team. Shot in an observational style, the film captures the realities facing the children and their families, knowing that the chances for success are slim and the journey gruelling. A fascinating study in Chinese methodology with glimpses of golden Olympic obsession and the human costs necessary to achieve it.
Introduced by Peter Metelerkamp, Programme Director of the MA in Film and TV Production, University of Bristol.

Iglab: Mini Iglympics

Wed 24 June 1930hrs 2009

The Interesting Games Lab celebrates sports with a mini Iglympics, featuring some of the best street games and pervasive games developed around the theme of sports. Heading the starting line is Korean Lazer Ball – like some kind of sport from a sci-fi future, this thrilling game pits two teams of lazer gladiators against each other to shine, bounce and dodge their way to the top of the league. More games in the Iglympiad will be announced closer to the date.
This event is free, but spaces are limited. FFI and to register see:
play.simongames.co.uk
Games are suitable for adults and young people aged 14 and older.

Regional Preview: Sons of Cuba

Sun 28 June 1800hrs

Dir: Andrew Lang UK ‘09 1hr 28mins Subtitled Cert 15
Cuba has ruled the world’s boxing ring for several decades, but in this richly photographed match the boxers are only twelve years old. At the Havana Boxing Academy, handpicked young athletes eat, sleep, and dream boxing as they train for a shot at a better life, the praise of their heroes and the approval of their leader, Fidel Castro. For the first time, a film crew was allowed inside to document the boys’ intense training regimen as they prepare for the national championship.
FFI: www.sonsofcuba.com

This Sporting Life

Mon 29 + Tue 30 June 1750hrs

Dir: Lindsay Anderson UK 1963 2hrs 14mins Cert 12A
Presented here in a newly restored print from the BFI, Anderson’s feature film centres on down-and-out coal miner Frank Machin (masterfully portrayed by a young Richard Harris) and his rise to rugby league glory. These attentions are no substitute, however, for the love he futilely seeks from his landlady, a recent widow who at times can barely muster the respect to look him in the eye. The duality of Machin’s fame on the field and failure in love frames this dramatic and poignant expression of the personal conflicts that so often accompany sporting success.