How about a gelato and a nice cool air conditioned dark room? For those of you not heading off to a field or beach, look out for the inaugural Cinema Rediscovered here this weekend with some truly great films, sounds and music icons! Inspired by Bologna’s Il Cinema Ritrovato, this is the first of its kind in the UK, opening with the World Premiere of a restored The Lion in Winter starring Katharine Hepburn and featuring a great score by legendary composer John Barry.

On Thu 28 July, we also show one of the first fictional feature films written and directed by black female American director, the late Kathleen Collins’ Losing Ground. Hardly screened at all in cinemas when it was released in the early 80’s, the film, now digitally restored remastered through the efforts of Collins’ daughter Nina, reveals itself as a masterpiece of African American and women's cinema.

On Fri 29 July, we go analogue with a vinyl set from Bristol’s Hellfire Video DJs in the bar from 8pm whilst cult classic Ganja & Hess screens in glorious 35mm courtesy of Black Atlantic Cinema Club which went on to inspire Spike Lee. There’s also a late night Check The Gate 35mm screening of the stunning and subversive Mick Jagger-starring Performance - with a soundtrack featuring the inimitable Ry Cooder.

On Sat 30 July, celebrate 40 years of punk with the UK premiere of the reissue of Alex Cox’s explosive chronicle of excess Sid & Nancy (Cox was introduced to the punk scene through his time studying film at Bristol University). There’s also David Bowie in arguably his finest film role in Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, soundtracked by renowned experimental composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. We also show the award-winning documentary A Flickering Truth, which follows an important journey to rebuild Afghanistan’s film history and culture, after trying to protect it from the Taliban.

For those of you with little people - drop by for a free Hands-on Film children’s workshop led by expert puppeteer and magic maker Emma Powell (Puppet Place) and a showing of much loved classic Wizard of Oz on the big screen - and in dazzling 3D too!

There’s also a rare programme of films specially selected by Bologna’s Cineteca, including the striking Fists in the Pocket which features a haunting score by Ennio Morricone.

On Sun 31 July, Bristol Record Archivist Nicky Sugar will introduce a selection of Home Movies from Africa, India and the Middle East from the largest archive collections of amateur film shot in the British Empire and Commonwealth, held here in Bristol.

Cinema Rediscovered will be a perfect reminder of how extraordinary an everyday trip to the cinema can be - so swing on by this weekend and rediscover these classics for yourself!

---