There’s something mighty annoying that happens in our office. It’s been happening for years. When a film gets in our programme whose title is the same or at least suggestive of a popular song, someone in the office ends up whistling, humming, or even singing it. Then it spreads to others, as is the insidious nature of these things.

This month we have been driven insane by renditions, at varying levels of competence, of Dionne Warwick’s Bee Gees-penned hit from the 80s, ‘Heartbreaker’. You know the one. Mind you, if you think that’s bad, imagine what it was like when we showed La Vie En Rose, as naeb’dy tries to sing that without the requisite Piaf impersonation. So, I’ve decided, no more films that remind anyone of songs – that at least is within my control. It’ll work fine until I fancy screening Blue Velvet. Or Singin’ in the Rain. Or Goldfinger. Or In The Mood For Love...

Our big film this month is Juan José Campanella’s brilliant The Secret in Their Eyes. We’ve devoted a lot of screen time to this magnificent film, which should be seen as a measure of our belief in it. Please don’t cause me to have to question my judgement... François Ozon makes a welcome return to our screens (and to making good films!) with The Refuge (Le refuge), and the very moving London River features a great performance by Brenda Blethyn as a woman who can’t find her daughter following the 7/7 terrorist attacks.

Collaboration is a bit of a watchword for August, combining forces, as we are, variously, with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, Edinburgh Interactive, Beyond Borders, Dance Base, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Glasgow Film Festival for a host of screenings and special events which will involve, among others, Margaret Atwood and Shane Meadows.

The ‘King of Cool’, Steve McQueen, would have been 80 this year, so it seemed like a good time to put together a quick ‘Six of the Best’ of his movies; and the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival On Tour is back for another year, celebrating the best in new queer cinema from around the world.

We’ve some awesome restorations/re-releases too this month, two from Cavalcanti (Went the Day Well? and They Made Me a Fugitive), Eric Rohmer’s masterpiece, My Night With Maud (Ma nuit chez Maud), Bob Rafelson’s Jack-Nicholson-in-his-prime-starring Five Easy Pieces [”I want you to hold it between your knees!” - Ed.], Jean-Luc Godard’s seminal Breathless (A bout de souffle) and a full digital restoration of Luchino Visconti’s masterwork, The Leopard (Il Gattopardo).

And, you know what, you can book for every one of these films, either online or by phone, completely free of any booking fee. I think we may be the only cinema in town where you can do that...
 

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