Ben-Hur to Amélie: 50 Years of Classics
See some of the greatest films in history on the big screen this March and April atShowroom Cinema. From Oscar-winning epics and French classics togroundbreaking anime, there’s something for every film lover.
No film has won more Oscars than Ben-Hur (1959) (11 awards, including Best Picture). At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film ever made and went on to become the second highest-grossing film in history. We’re offering a rare chance to experience this monumental cinematic achievement on the big screen. Alongside the screening, we’re showcasing a display of authentic Ben-Hur memorabilia, including original 1959 posters, soundtrack records and personal letters from Charlton Heston. Catch it on Sunday April 5.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) explores both the private life and public legend of one of America’s most in famous outlaws. Starring Oscar winners Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck, it is widely regarded as one ofthe great American epics of the 21st century.
Iconic and genre-defining, Akira (1988) is a landmark in anime history. Katsuhiro Otomo’s cyberpunk masterpiece pushed the boundaries of Japanese animation and changed the global perception of the medium. This spectacular 4K restoration screens from Friday April 17.
Amélie (2001) tells the story of a shy, imaginative young woman in Paris who sets out to improve the lives of those around her, discovering love along the way. Re-released for its 25 th anniversary, this modern French classic opens our April strand celebrating Paris on film.
We’re also presenting Paris Mon Amour, a special season throughout April exploring the cinematic history of Paris. Inspired by the charm and lyricism of Amélie, the programme includes Agnès Varda’s New Wave classic Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962), Stanley Donen’s musical comedy Funny Face (1957), and Billy Wilder’s farce Irma laDouce (1963), which reunited the director with his The Apartment stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.
Enjoy movies after hours? We’re hosting three late-night retrospective screenings this weekend. On Friday March 27, catch cult horror flick The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1977) with other brave cinemagoers. Continue the frights on Saturday March 28 with a Celluloid Scream marathon of A Nightmare on Elm Street (films 1–5 and Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare). Also on Saturday, we’re hosting a simultaneous movie marathon to relive all three extended editions of The Lord of theRings films.
To explore our full classics programme, visit: https://showroomcinema.org.uk/cinema-clubs/classics