Into Film Clubs
Find out everything you need to know about starting an Into Film Club.
Amidst air strikes and bombings in Syria, a group of doctors in Ghouta work tirelessly treating casualties in an underground hospital ran by entirely by women. Filmed between 2016 and 2018 by Syrian native Feras Fayyad, the film looks at the sexism the doctors face while dealing with distressing injuries.
The film particularly follows the inspiring young Dr. Amani, a pediatrician and the hospital's manager, who remains positive and a friendly face to patients in terrifying circumstances. The film gives access to the vast effects of war on the lives of regular citizens, emphasising the human cost of violence.
Also new in cinemas this week
StarDog and TurboCat; The Umbrellas of Cherbourg; Elf; Gremlins
One animated children's release and three classic re-releases this week, providing a rich and entertaining cultural history of film. Firstly, StarDog and TurboCat tells the story of a fiercely loyal dog who, after returning from a space mission, must team up with a mysterious vigilante cat to find his beloved owner. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, meanwhile, is a wonderful French musical in which all the dialogue is sung, following a young woman separated from her lover who faces a life-altering decision.
Two of the more enduring Christmas films also get a re-release into cinemas, beginning with the modern classic Elf, starring a fresh-faced Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised amongst Santa's elves in the North Pole who travels to New York to search for his biological father. Finally, Gremlins takes a bit of a darker look at the festive period as a rabble of mischievous creatures descend on a small town during Christmas, wreaking havoc everywhere they go. Expect lots of laughs and a few scares!
Out on DVD this week
Playmobil: The Movie
The first feature film inspired by the popular toy brand sees responsible older sister Marla embark on an epic adventure to find her younger brother Charlie after they are sucked into a mysterious vortex. Waking in the Playmobil universe Marla finds herself transformed into an animated figurine in a strange land and, with the help of bizarre and heroic characters, she must try to bring Charlie back home. This entertaining quest has plenty of laughs for those familiar with the Playmobil brand and explores themes of teamwork and family.
Also out on DVD this week
The Angry Birds Movie 2
Based on the popular game about an island of Angry Birds in conflict with a group of Bad Piggies, this sequel sees the two sides forming an alliance against threat to their homeland. During one of their battles, a mysterious eagle arrives and reveals her plan to create a new ice age after being fed up of living in a remote arctic island. Together the Angry Birds and Bad Piggies embark on a comical adventure to stop their homes being destroyed, learning more about each other along the way. Young audiences will enjoy the film's silly characters but there are also valuable key themes around teamwork and resolving conflicts.
