Plus, UK Asian Film Festival returns for its 26th edition and we explore the beauty of Vietnamese cinema with Star Nhà Ease.
‘The Fall Guy‘ image courtesy of Warner Bros.
Kicking off the month, we have David Leitch‘s ode to action films – and the unsung heroes behind them – The Fall Guy, screening from Thu 2 May.
Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Seavers, a battle-scarred stuntman who springs back into action when the star of a big studio movie he’s working on suddenly disappears. As the mystery deepens, Seavers finds himself drawn into a criminal plot far more dangerous than any stunt he’s ever done.
As a former stuntman himself, and the brains behind modern action classic John Wick, Leitch makes this a true celebration of the skill and talent of stuntmen by mostly using practical effects, some carried out by Gosling himself, creating a real visual spectacle to be enjoyed on the big screen.
Check out The Independent’s glowing review and watch the thrilling trailer for The Fall Guy.
‘Love Lies Bleeding‘ image courtesy of Lionsgate.
Following swiftly on Fri 3 May is Rose Glass’ sophomore feature Love Lies Bleeding.
Expanding the canon of queer crime thrillers, Love Lies Bleeding follows a passionate, and deadly, affair between reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) and bodybuilder Jackie (newcomer Katy M. O’Brian) as they take on a criminal network led by Lou’s father (chillingly played by Ed Harris).
Brimming with tension, and full of unexpected curveballs, the film keeps you at the edge of your seat till the very end. And if the plot wasn’t enough, the film comes alive with the undeniable chemistry shared by Stewart and O’Brian, as they revel in an unapologetic queerness rarely seen on screen.
Have a read of Attitude’s rave review and check out the stunning trailer for Love Lies Bleeding.
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes‘ image courtesy of Disney.
Ready for even more action? Join us from Fri 10 May for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the latest instalment in the expansive Planet of the Apes reboot series.
Set 300 years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), new ape civilizations have emerged from the oasis that Caesar led his fellow apes to, while humans have regressed to a feral state. When the ape king Proximus Caesar perverts Caesar’s teachings to enslave other clans, the chimpanzee hunter Noa embarks on a harrowing journey, alongside a human girl named Mae, to determine the future for apes and humans alike.
‘Of God’s Men‘ image courtesy of UK Asian Film Festival.
Alongside our action-packed programme, we’re also delighted to welcome back UK Asian Film Festival to the building for their 26th edition from Thu 2 – Sun 12 May.
With a thematic focus on ‘Climate of Change’, this year’s festival celebrates stories that redefine power dynamics, highlight the journeys of those driving societal transformation and delve into the complex power dynamics within our relationships.
Highlights include Samyuktha Vijayan‘s powerful debut Blue Sunshine, screening on Fri 3 May, which follows a high school teacher’s journey to transitioning, set in a small town in South India.
Check out the rest of the UKAFF 2024 programme.
‘When the Tenth Month Comes‘ image courtesy of Star Nhà Ease.
To close out the month, we’re hosting an exciting season exploring Vietnamese cinema with Star Nhà Ease from Thu 16 – Sat 25 May.
Co-curated by Cường Minh Bá Phạm, Esther Johnson, and Tuyết Vân Huỳnh, this film season introduces UK audiences to a variety of Vietnamese cinematic treasures – many of which have never been screened in the UK before!
The season opens with the riveting documentary Dust and Metal, on Thu 16 May, which captures Vietnam’s enduring love affair with motorbikes. This special screening is accompanied by a live score performance by electronic musician Xo Xinh, and a post-screening Q&A with director Esther Johnson.
Explore Star Nhà Ease’s vibrant programme.
What did you think of this Film Fix? Let us know by tweeting us, or dropping us an email.
