Bristol's best indie film screenings for April
Posted on: 10 Apr 2024Bristol is one of UNESCO’s Cities of Film – awarded the accolade for its unique film heritage, it points to the fact that Bristol is filled with great minds and inspiring innovators who led cinema and the moving image to what it is today.
So, it’s no wonder that we have a strong community of independent cinemas screening everything from the classics of film canon, to hidden gems that can light brand new creative fires in our hearts. But it’s not always easy to keep an eye on everything going on – so here it is collated for your reading pleasure: the best of Bristol’s indie film screenings throughout April..
This Land is Your Land at The Thunderbolt – Thu 11 April
A great example of Bristol’s thriving film culture is the screenings that pop up across our excellent pubs. This documentary is a revealing look inside the exciting life and times of wildly influential anti-facist protest singer and folk musician, Woody Guthrie.
As if that isn’t enough, it’s paired with live music and spoken word – and all proceeds go to Medical Aid for Palestine.
Civil War at Watershed – Thu 11 - Monday 22 April
From the director of 28 Days Later and Annihilation, Alex Garland, this film paints a more literal picture of a divided America – imagining a future in which Texas and California decide to leave the Union. A disturbing picture of a society going out of control.
After Hours at Watershed – Sunday 14 April
A somewhat unsung classic of Scorsese’s filmmaking, After Hours is a perfectly-pitched, self-contained bite of film goodness, depicting the chaos of New York and city living in general via an absurd smorgasbord of surreal but deadpan vignettes and anxiety-inducing filmmaking.
Robot Dreams at The Cube – Sat 13/Mon 15 April
This Cannes-selected, Oscar-nominated animated film is a funny and moving film whose wordless storytelling transcends boundaries, and makes the whole affair resonate with kids and adults alike. A deeply felt, bittersweet buddy comedy that embraces ambiguity and the uncertainty of life’s path.
Perfect Days at Watershed – Until Thu 18 April
Wim Wenders’ (Wings of Desire; Paris, Texas) newest masterpiece is a poignant, warm-hearted portrait of a Tokyo toilet cleaner balancing his unglamorous job with a passion for music, literature and photography. A touching exploration of a modest man - and the hidden past revealed by a series of enexpected encounters.
Eyes of Fire at The Cube – Friday 19 April
Presented by masterful selectors and trash-diggers Hellfire Video Club is the 80s hidden gem Eyes of Fire – a tale of 18th century settlers, complete with all the dark spirits, witches and perfect cult-leader folk horror. Plus, an unnanounced second cult horror film for those truly made of stern stuff.
Monster Show (Frankenstein) at The Cube – Saturday 20 April
As the iconic 1931 film Frankenstein plays silently in the background, a lone creature stands on stage to perform the live score. From inside a Frankenstein costume, they attempt to recreate the entire soundtrack using just their voice.
The newest work from “powerfully and unashamedly clever” performance artist Hester Stefan, Monster Show is a screening of Frankenstein like no other, exploring extinction, transness, and the limits of representation for the human body.
Frogman at the Bristol IMAX – Sunday 21 April
Dallas Kyle – an amateur filmmaker struggling to turn his passion into a career, wants to prove that his footage of the Loveland Frogman is real. But his documentary soon turns into a Lovecraftian nightmare as he uncovers the horrific secrets hidden beneath Loveland's idyllic surface.
Paired with the film is a performance by theatrical doom metal band Froglord, bringing face melting fuzz and foot stomping grooves.
The Crazy Family at The Cube – Thu 25 April
Genuinely punk Auteur Gakury? Ishii gives his unhinged take on the Japanese family drama, creating a legendary cult film in the process that lampoons the acidic blood leaking out of the cracked heart of chaotic family life – and the way that the city stays in your bones.
The Roaring Twenties at The Old Picture House – Fri 26 April
Introduced with spoken word and live jazz, this classic gangster movie is the perfect vehicle for stars of old Humphrey Bogary and James Cagney - following three men and their experiences during major events in the 1920s, such as Prohibition era violence and the 1929 stock market crash, this is a classic of 40s filmmaking.
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Patrick is a filmmaker with so much Bristol in his blood the white blood cells are graffiti'd. Educated at the Northern Film School in Leeds, he’s returned home to be a Videographer and Reviewer for 365Bristol and BARBI. When he’s not messing about with cameras, he enjoys playing guitar, spending far too much time on tabletop RPGs, and being an awful snob about cider. Have a look at his work here, or get in touch at patrickb@365bristol.com.
