WFS screenings

suspended

Winchcombe Film Society meetings have been suspended until further notice. Our scheduled screening of The Guardians on 27 March is definitely off, with the April and May meetings questionable.

We will continue to monitor government advice about Covid-19 and inform all members and known supporters by email and via this website of any change in the situation.

At a later stage we will decide whether to schedule extra meetings in 2020 if it is safe to do so, or to carry membership into 2021.

Please take extra care of yourselves and loved ones in the meantime. We look forward to seeing you after the intermission.

And in normal times ..

A welcome awaits you at Winchcombe Film Society. Membership costs just £24 pp for a full year of films, (or pro rata) normally on the last Friday of the month, with no further admission charge.

We meet at Abbey Fields, Back Lane, Winchcombe GL54 5QH. Members can enjoy a glass of wine at just £1.50 from 7pm before the 7.30 screening, or free tea, coffee and biscuits. Please come early. Limited parking is available.

We present a variety of recent UK and foreign films, usually after a short introduction. All, even those in English, are shown with sub-titles if available. For this year’s full schedule, click this link: 2020 Programme

We try to make it easy to make friends, and socialise later at the nearby Corner Cupboard. For more details, click this link: Contact us .

Free membership offer

Any 2019 member can renew their subscription free, or have their 2020 payment refunded, if they introduce a new member who joins the society. So please tell friends, colleagues and relations and refer them to this website.

Library suspended

The DVD library is now suspended. Run by Sue S and Brenda, it proved a great hit since going on display in the Sudeley Room where members can borrow up to three of our great 130+ films free for a month.

Another 25 went out on loan to 14 members in February alone. So when things are back to normal, arrive early to have enough time to browse.

For a complete listing of all films that will then be available – with synopses and trailers – click here: WFS Library.

Cancelled

The Guardians

Friday 27 March

France 2017: 2hr 18m, Cert 15

Note: This film may be rescheduled for later in the year.

Life at the Paridier farm in 1915 has changed dramatically since the men left to fight. When soldier Georges returns on leave at harvest time, he falls in love with orphan Francine, with dramatic consequences. An emotional story of coping with hardship and loss.

‘Richly compassionate, fiercely acted and beautifully shot‘ – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian. Read his review here, or click on the red title above to watch a trailer and see more details.

Under review

With a friend like Harry

Friday 24 April

France 2017: 1hr 57m, Cert 15

Note: This film is likely to be cancelled, but a decision will be made closer to the time in line with government health recommendations regarding Covid-19.

Harry knew Michel in high school; they meet again by accident, Harry inserts himself in Michel’s life… and things take a sinister turn.  “A thriller that would have made Hitchcock grind his teeth in envy,” Alexander Walker, Evening Standard.

Click on the red title above to watch a trailer and see more details.

Previously at WFS

Cold war

Friday 28 February

Poland 2018: 1hr 29m, Cert 15.

Ill-matched lovers become involved in an impossible affair across the Iron Curtain. Shot in black-and-white, and featuring folk, choral, classical and jazz music, the film is evocative of 1950s Poland. It scored 94% audience approval.

Interview with director Paweł Pawlikowski on Poland’s film industry today: click here.

Loved it? Loathed it? Email winchcombefilmsociety@gmail.com

We loved it. Every scene beautifully composed like a painting, the locations as much a star as the actors. Paris looked as Paris should, even the garret, helped by the constant haze of cigarette smoke. As suggested, the music was interwoven beautifully interwoven – Kate & Rob R.

Two doomed lovers choosing suicide in the last scene, on bench at crossroads, remark, “Let’s go to the other side, the view is better there”. Excellent way to conclude their ‘departure’ – Bob S.

Perhaps a misleading title. Wow, how different. Black & white certainly took one back. Wondered at opening if I would stay but overall a love story with tensions between what East and West offer. Music should appeal at some time to most tastes. Interesting to have blank screen between each chapter. What more could one ask? Borrow if you haven’t seen it – Nick H

Loved it – Heather and Haydn

I found it disjointed but beautifully shot; not a strong story nor memorable – Lloyd.

Excellent choice – a love story told without sentiment. The black and white was arresting and added to the intensity. Adds to the line of great Polish films of which perhaps we should see more – John S.

Beautifully shot, full of period atmosphere and fabulous music. Only disappointment was the predictable storyline – Derek and Ruth.

He abandons music troupe to chase her, she chases him, back and forth across Europe – doomed lovers ending it at the crossroads. Typical love story, but not believable against 1940s morals or culture. Brilliant music and cinematography though – Sue S.

Well-structured and followed the rules of these limited release films that focus on people and relationships. 8 out of 10 – Graham S.