Cold War (dir: Pawel Pawlikowski, 2018, cert 15)
Winner of the Best Film Award at Cannes, Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski’s follow up to the critically revered Ida, is shot in sumptuous monochrome and is inventive cinema of the highest order. Beginning in post war Poland of the forties and leaping across decades, it is one of the most stylish romance’s ever made, replete with exquisite score, gorgeous cinematography and a stunning cast.
Mon 10 Sep to Thu 13 Sep at Electric, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk
Fri 14 Sep to Thu 20 Sep at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £9 macbirmingham.co.uk

Mildred Pierce (dir: Michael Curtiz, 1939, cert PG)
Big screen Film Noir is always a joy and Casablanca director Curtiz’s explosive teenage brat tale of murder, indulgence and betrayal is one of the best. Joan Crawford delivers a towering performance as the forgiving titular matriarch and put upon social outcast, so many twists and turns as the film reaches an inevitable climax the viewer is left breathless and dizzy. This new 4k restoration is sumptuous, Mildred slapping ingrate Veda has never looked so good.
Tue 11 Sep 2pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £9 macbirmingham.co.uk

The Fireman’s Ball (dir: Milos Forman, 1967, cert U) + discussion
Before Milos Forman left for Hollywood to direct such classics as ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ and ‘Amadeus’ he was an integral part of the Czech New Wave movement. One of the most fertile periods in cinematic history until it was crushed, like the rest of the country, by Russian tanks. After being sacked by his studio at the new regime’s behest Forman left for America. His legacy was ‘The Fireman’s Ball’, a classic of the Czech New Wave, on the surface a riotous comedy following the bumbling antics of a band of firemen as they attempt to organise the eponymous ball, but look a little deeper and you will find a razer sharp satire on the endemic corruption of Eastern communism. At one point ‘banned forever’ by the Czech authorities the film has lost none of its charm or power with the jokes coming thick and fast. Ridiculing authority has never been so much fun. Part of the excellent Eastern Bloc Songs: Party, Pop and Politics exhibition at Centrala, read more here, the screening will be followed by a discussion hosted by Dr Emil Toescu.
Thu 13 Sep 6pm at Centrala, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley St, Birmingham B5 5RT www.facebook.com

Leon (dir: Luc Besson, 1994, cert 15) Outdoor screening
Luc Besson’s impossibly stylish neo-noir Leon is a dizzyingly hypnotic cavalcade of extreme violence, dubious morality, wtf plotting and, in Gary Oldman’s case, industrial strength scenery chewing. The Besson sheen settles over all and, what in duller hands could have become car crash viewing, reaches an aesthetic as cool as the vintage Jean-Paul Gaultier shades wrapped around Jean Reno’s head. Reno’s titular milk drinking and plant loving assassin is a relentless killer until twelve year old Mathilda, a wide eyed Natalie Portman in her film debut, teaches him some humanity. Part of a season of outdoor screenings at the Botanical Gardens, check out our guide here.
Thu 13 Sep 8.30pm at Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR £15.35 www.wegottickets.com

The Man from Mo’Wax (dir: Matthew Jones, 2016, cert 15)
The rise and fall of superstar DJ and entrepreneur James Lavelle is told at a blistering pace in Matthew Jones’ freewheeling but sometimes disjointed documentary. It’s a well trodden path, fame and adulation crippled by frivolous expenditure and drug abuse, but it’s a fascinating journey chock full of classic tunes and attitude.
Sat 15 Sep to Sun 16 Sep at The Mockingbird, Custard factory, Birmingham B9 4AA £8 veezi.com

The Women (dir: George Cukor, 1939, cert U) + Afternoon tea
One of Hollywood’s finest directors, George Cukor, was on absolute top form with this adaptation of Clare Boothe Luce’s caustic play of the same name. Starring 130 women, with n’er a man in sight, headed by Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer, two women at loggerheads over a man in a torrent of biting dialogue so sharp it will make your ears bleed. Ignored by the Academy, possibly due to its intimation of lesbianism and the unheard of before all female cast, The Women is a landmark film in feminist cinema. Following the screening afternoon tea, sandwiches and cakes will be served in the Arena bar complete with table service. Now, “Get me a bromide and put some gin in it”.
Sun 16 Sep 2pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £20 macbirmingham.co.uk

The Color Purple (dir: Steven Spielberg, 1985, cert 15)
Spielberg’s epic film version of Alice Walker’s novel has been criticised in some quarters for sugaring up the story and omitting much of the source materials darker elements. While this is certainly true the film never drifts into benign sentimentality and still packs a powerful emotional punch. Whoopi Goldberg has never been better as Celie, who endures a multitude of hardships during the first part of a turbulent twentieth century without losing her resolve. The film holds the record for most number of Oscar nominations without winning a single one, leading to accusations of racism against the academy and an organised ‘shutout’ of black actors.
Sun 16 Sep 2.15pm at Electric, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk