The Prince Charles Cinema

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ShowingWednesday 19th February
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A Confucian Confusion
1994 125mins Taiwan (18) Comedy

Art versus commerce, friendship versus status, independence versus conformity—values clash and collide in Edward Yang's study of an increasingly Westernized country heading into the twenty-first century without moral guideposts. Moving from breakout hit A Brighter Summer Day's investigation of the past to a critical survey of the present, A Confucian Confusion charts the tangled web of emotional and professional manipulations among a group of young urbanites. At its center is Molly (Ni Shu-chun), director of a floundering public-relations firm. Alienated by the childish fiancé (Bosen Wang) who bankrolls her enterprise—and frustrated by the demands of an assistant, Qiqi (Chen Shiang-chyi), and her own fiancé, Ming (Wang Wei-ming)—Molly lashes out at everyone in her path and threatens to dismantle the company altogether. Meanwhile (amid several other subplots), Molly's talk-show-host sister (Chen Li-mei) attempts to dissuade her separated husband from continuing to write a dark novel about the return of Confucius to a jaded modern society. Injecting comedic elements into his patented brand of earnest soul-searching, Yang finds humor as well as pathos in the desperate behavior of a lost and lonely generation.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
1992 134mins USA, France (18) Fantasy

In the folksy town of Deerfield, Wash., FBI Agent Desmond (Chris Isaak) inexplicably disappears while hunting for the man who murdered a teen girl. The killer is never apprehended, and, after experiencing dark visions and supernatural encounters, Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) chillingly predicts that the culprit will claim another life. Meanwhile, in the similarly cozy town of Twin Peaks, hedonistic beauty Lara Palmer (Sheryl Lee) hangs with lowlifes and seems destined for a grisly fate.

North By Northwest
1959 136mins USA (PG) Thriller/Suspense

This classic suspense film finds New York City ad executive Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) pursued by ruthless spy Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) after Thornhill is mistaken for a government agent. Hunted relentlessly by Vandamm's associates, the harried Thornhill ends up on a cross-country journey, meeting the beautiful and mysterious Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) along the way. Soon Vandamm's henchmen close in on Thornhill, resulting in a number of iconic action sequences.

About the new 70mm print & restoration; North by Northwest (1959) was filmed in VistaVision and released in 1.85. Motion Picture Imaging scanned the original 8 per 35mm VistaVision camera negative in 13k with all restoration work completed in 6.5k. The 70mm film print was created by filming out a new 65mm negative. WB Post Production Creative Services restored the original mono audio and created an ATMOS mix. The Film Foundation has given approval of the restoration.

Conclave
2024 120mins USA, UK (12A) Thriller

12 BAFTA Award Nominations – Best Film, Outstanding British Film of the Year, Best Director, Best Screenplay (Adapted), Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actress

From director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.

Sunset Boulevard
1950 110mins USA (PG) Black Comedy / Film Noir

An aging silent film queen refuses to accept that her stardom has ended. She hires a young screenwriter to help set up her movie comeback. The screenwriter believes he can manipulate her, but he soon finds out he is wrong. The screenwriters ambivalence about their relationship and her unwillingness to let go leads to a situation of violence, madness, and death.

Women in Love
1969 131mins UK (15) Romance/Drama

The battle of the sexes and relationships among the elite of Britain’s industrial Midlands in the 1920s. Gerald and Rupert are best friends who fall in love with a pair of sisters Gudrun, a sculptress and Ursula, a schoolteacher. Rupert marries Ursula, Gerald begins a love affair with Gudrun.

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