The Nile Hilton Incident (dir: Tarik Saleh, 2017, cert 15)
Tarik Saleh’s modern noir uses the familiar motifs of that genre to take a dark satirical peek into the state corruption that fomented the January 25 revolution of 2011 sparking widespread protests across Egypt. Corrupt Cairo detective Noredin, played with a brilliantly world weary resignation by Fares Fares, reaches an enough is enough epiphany when investigating the murder of a popular singer.
Fri 9 Mar to Thu 15 Mar at the mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £9 macbirmingham.co.uk

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (dir: Howard Hawks, 1953, cert U) + introduction
Drop Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell into a film together and sparks are guaranteed. The pneumatic pair play best friends with material aspirations intent on grabbing a rich husband. Highlight has to be Monroe cooing her way through ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’ in a beautifully kitsch pink gown. High camp joy from a golden era of comedy musicals. The screening will be preceded by a lecture from B-Film’s Professor Catherine Grant.
Sat 10 Mar 12pm at The Electric, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (dir: Ken Loach, 2006, cert 18)
The powerful tale of the Irish Civil War stars a hypnotic Cillian Murphy as Damien O’Donovan who joins the IRA, along with his brother, to fight for independence from the British. Obvious parallels with the Iraq war and Loach’s framing of the story as a socialist and not nationalist struggle drew him some almighty flack, not least being compared to Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl by one critic. Presented with Jameson Whisky and all visitors will receive a complementary whisky cocktail.
Sat 10 Mar 2pm at The Electric, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk

The Wall (dir: Alan Parker, Gerald Scarfe, 1982, cert 18)  + The Dark Side of Oz 
An intriguing way to spend a Saturday evening, if your senses can stand it. A Pink Floyd double bill featuring a big screen outing for that oft touted myth (or is it?) that the Dark Side of the Moon album syncs perfectly with thirties fantasy epic The Wizard of Oz. Bizarre coincidence or studiously mysterious intention? Whatever, there is no denying The Dark Side of Oz is a satisfying visual overload. To further scramble your minds The Floyd’s ‘proper’ film The Wall will follow, a starkly surreal and disturbing reflection of the political uncertainty of the eighties.
Sat 10 Mar 8.45pm at The Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £9.50 veezi.com

A Matter of Life and Death (dir: Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1946, cert U)
One of the great joys of cinema are the films of Powell and Pressburger; magnificently staged productions that exude style, class and a unique visual flair. Their 1940’s canon is without compare and the three films on which they collaborated with legendary cinematographer Jack Cardiff are as close to cinematic perfection as it’s possible to get. RAF pilot pilot Peter Carter, David Niven at his dashing best, impossibly survives a parachute plunge (without a parachute) into the sea and a heavenly conductor is dispatched to escort him to the afterlife. A wonderfully moving film filled with unexpected and imaginative flourishes, it demands to be seen on the big screen and now’s your chance.
Sun 11 Mar 11am at The Electric, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk

Blade Runner: The Final Cut (dir: Ridley Scott, 1982, cert 15) + Blade Runner 2049 (dir: Denis Villeneuve, 2017, cert 15)
How much dystopian dread can you endure? The Mockingbird are screening both Blade Runner films in one marathon screening, the electric neon brilliance and eloquent emptiness of the original is unsurpassed but Villeneuve’s sumptuous sequel is a stunning achievement.
Sun 11 Mar 4pm at The Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £9.50 veezi.com