Riz Ahmed’s I Miss You and David Fincher’s Mank will be playing at Chapter Arts
CHAPTER Arts Centre has re-opened its doors and throughout November Welsh people will be able to see two new film releases before anyone in England.
“We’ve squeezed some of the best films of the year into the next six weeks so every film at the moment is a really exciting experience to have in the cinema,” says Claire Vaughan, Chapter Arts Centre film programme manager.
Visitors will be the very first to watch Riz Ahmed’s I Miss You, a film in which the actor performs a poem he wrote about lockdown and the times we live in.
“It’s really simple kind of black and white [format] and only a couple of minutes long, but it’s a nice little short film, a little treat for our audience,” says Claire.
Chapter is the only cinema with permission to screen the four-minute film, which will accompany the film Mogul Mowgli, which Riz Ahmed also stars in and co-wrote.
“I think it’s a really interesting immersive way of telling a story about Asian experience in Britain,” shares Claire about Mogul Mowgli. “It’s a really urgent story that feels timely.”
The poem and film and will screen from this Friday to next Thursday ( November 13 to 19).
In a weird twist of fate Chapter will also be one of the only cinemas in the UK screening the highly anticipated David Fincher movie Mank, with Welsh people able to see it before anyone in England due to their current lockdown restrictions.
“It’s a really sumptuous black and white film about kind of how the screenplay of Citizen Kane got made,” said Claire.
“It’s an interesting deep-dive into those kinds of narcissistic personalities and Hollywood at the time.”
She adds that there are easy analogies to be drawn between Trump and Kane, making the film even more timely following the recent American election.
While the team can’t wait to screen Mank, colleagues from England are all desperate to see the film in the cinema, jokingly saying it would tempt them to cross the border into Wales.
After the limited release in cinemas on November 27, Mank will be available to stream on Netflix from the December 4.
SAFETY AND COVID-REGULATIONS
Claire reassured people who might be nervous about coming back to the cinema, as it is relatively low-risk indoor activity.
“You can go see something in the gallery and you can go have a meal and have a drink and go see a film. You know you can have a whole evening at Chapter and feel very safe,” she added.
Movies have been chosen for their manageable length, as masks have to be worn at all times while inside. This also means visitors will not be able to eat or drink while watching.
“We’re taking all the measures to make sure that people are as safe as possible,” says Claire.
Chapter has also introduced capacity limits with its larger cinema Space 1 now seating 54 people instead of 191. But no-one will feel cramped as she does not expect to reach capacity soon.
Further regulations restrict groups of up to four people visiting together, as long as they are from the same household or have formed a bubble.
Visitors will also have to show ID at the entrance and sign into the NHS Track and Trace.
If visitors don’t feel safe going to the physical cinemas, Chapter also offers digital screenings via “Chapter at Home” availble on the Chapter website.
Chapter moviemaker, which has existed for 50 years in physical form has also been re-created digitally, showing short films conducting discussions via zoom.
The digital platform also allows for Chapter’s theatre and gallery teams to upload content, which the team is planning to expand upon in the next six months.
As many films did not have the chance enjoy the cinematic release they deserved, the Chapter team have made films such as Rebecca and Rocks available to screen even though both are already available on Netflix.
There is an appetite to see movies in a more immersive format. Cath, a Chapter fan, said: “Netflix is great but it doesn‘t match the big screen experience.”
SCREENING THIS WEEK AND COMING UP
SAINT MAUD and REBECCA
Today – Thursday (10-12th November)
Saint Maud and Rebecca are both getting their big-screen release, having proven popular before the firebreak lockdown.
Next Tuesday to Thursday (November 17 to 19)
ROCKS
Rocks is a moving depiction of the joy, resilience and spirit of girlhood which could have been the biggest film of the year.
KAJILLIONAIRE
This Friday to Monday (November 13 to 16).
Miranda July’s Kajillionaire with the brilliant Evan Rachel Wood is a beautifully made film about loneliness.
SHIRLEY
Next Friday to Thursday (November 20 to 26)
Josephine Decker’s Shirley portrayed by the compelling Elisabeth Moss invites the viewers into another world with artistic scenes and unexpected shots.
THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF
In cinemas on November 24 to 26
Benjamin Ree’s The Painter and the Thief is a documentary that lets viewers get a sense of the intimate relationship that emerges between a portrait artist and her subject.
