A true-life story depicting the abduction of a congressman in military-occupied Brazil in 1970. His wife Eunice (Fernanda Torres) and their children live in Rio de Janeiro in an idyllic locale by the beach. The film focuses on how she and their children function without him and offers an emotional journey of resilience and hope. In the final sequence Torres’ mother Fernanda Montenegro appears as the elderly Eunice. Fernanda Montenegro was the first Brazilian actress nominated for an Oscar, and her daughter Fernanda Torres is only the second Brazilian actress to be nominated for an Oscar, for I’m Still Here.

Fifty-something Ray and Moth, once farmers, lose their home and their livelihood after a bad investment. Rather than wallow in their misfortune, they pack up and hit the South West Coast Path. They hope the 630-mile trek will give them time to plan for a new future, grapple with their debt, fix their homelessness – and distract Moth from his newly-diagnosed debilitating disease. Naive and ill-prepared, they overcome many obstacles to try to complete their journey. They make friends and foes along the way, who help them to make the mental as well as physical transition to a different way of life.

In 1985, devoted father and coal merchant Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent, and uncovers shocking truths of his own. The film, adapted from the Booker Prize nominated novel by Claire Keegan, reveals truths about Ireland’s Magdalene laundries – horrific asylums run by Roman Catholic institutions from the 1820s until 1996. These institutions were ostensibly to reform “fallen young women”, but in fact forced these young girls into unpaid labour. It also delves into Bill’s past, exploring his childhood and how he has chosen to live his life in response to earlier losses.

Based on the real life (unsuccessful) scam of Josh Margolin’s Grandmother, the film tells the story of 94-year-old Thelma Post losing $10,000 to a phone scammer (posing as her grandson Danny). Thelma sets out on a quest to retrieve the stolen money with the help of friend Ben and his 2-person scooter. The film explores themes of overbearing concern from Thelma’s daughter in contrast with a desire to take responsibility for her own actions. Taking cues from Tom Cruise (Danny’s favourite film star) Thelma becomes an unlikely action hero, played with infectious humour employing the familiar tropes of the action genre in hilarious, age-appropriate ways.

A poignant bitter-sweet comedy about Mahin, a 70-year-old widow in Tehran, who decides to reclaim her life after decades of loneliness. She forms a connection with taxi driver Faramarz, which leads to a blossoming, albeit unconventional, romance. Exploring themes of love, loss, and the social constraints faced by women in Iran this wonderfully sweet and funny film will contribute to the debate about whether repressive regimes are the nursery of artistic greatness. It’s married directors were charged with making anti-government propaganda and banned from its premier in Berlin.

This 1957 film is a classic Legal drama film – probably the best of it’s type. It is very much made as a comment on the American jury system during the mid 20th century. The film covers the story of a jury of 12 men as they deliberate whether to convict or acquit a teenager charged with murder on the basis of “reasonable doubt”. When it came out, the film was a ‘slow-starter’ in box office terms, but it was highly acclaimed by critics, was nominated for 3 Oscars, and is regarded by many as one of the greatest films ever made, and Henry Fonda (Juror no,8) is listed as one of the 30 best movie heroes of all time.

Cannes Grand Prix winner. Sight & Sound magazine’s film of the year (2024). The absorbing interconnected story of three nurses in Mumbai, India, each deeply moving and universally relevant. A fresh perspective on the power of connection, the complexity of relationships and the unspoken bond between women. Extraordinary for its mixture of harsh realism and ethereal beauty. A soulful study of the transformative power of friendship and sisterhood accompanied by a lovely piece of music.
Soundtrack by Topshe.

Lee portrays a pivotal decade in the life of American war correspondent and photographer Lee Miller (Kate Winslet).  Despite much opposition, Lee is determined to get the truth out about the human cost of the Second World War. This powerful film contains distressing images.

Luke was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer when he was only twenty four. It had spread from his shoulder to his lungs and doctors said it was incurable. Against the odds, he was alive at the end of treatment, so in the precious time that this had bought him, he decided to set off on an epic adventure, to fulfil his dream of cycling from Bristol to Beijing. Along the way, he shared his tandem with other cancer survivors and thrivers. No-one could have predicted what happened next. “You can live with cancer – actively, adventurously, optimistically”.