FilmBath Festival returns with packed programme of previews and world cinema highlights

FilmBath, formerly the Bath Film Festival, is back for its 32nd annual event, which runs at venues across the city from Nov 4-13.

As usual there are plenty of previews of hotly anticipated new releases. Due for general release in early 2023, Sam Mendes’s  first film as writer and director, Empire of Light (Bath Odeon, Nov 4) is billed as a “love letter to cinema”. Set in Margate in 1981, against a backdrop of recession and widespread racism, this stars Olivia Colman as Hilary, the conscientious yet troubled manager of the run-down (fictional) Empire cinema. Colin Firth plays her pompous boss and Toby Jones is cast as the dedicated projectionist. When the Empire takes on a young black ticket seller (Micheal Ward), he makes an immediate connection with Hilary.

For costume drama enthusiasts, there’s the multiple award-winning Corsage (Bath Odeon, Nov 8), with Vicky Krieps as Empress Elizabeth of Austria. The Silent Twins (Little Theatre, Nov 4) is a British drama based on the extraordinary true story of black siblings who retreated into a private world with their own secret language. And Ali G Indahouse director Mark Mylod’s terrific black comedy-horror The Menu (Bath Odeon, Nov 13) gives Ralph Fiennes another welcome comedy role, this time as a celebrity chef whose creations spring unwelcome surprises on his wealthy customers.

As you’d expect from the festival that pioneered the F-Rating system, there’s a strong focus on female talent. This year, 22 of the films being screened are directed by women. These include indie comedy Queen of Glory (Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School, Nov 11), young adult sci-fi adventure Vesper (Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School, Nov 12), and Blue Jean (Little Theatre Cinema, Nov 9) – the story of a young lesbian PE teacher in 1980s Britain who faces losing her job when Section 28 is introduced.

As usual, FilmBath also includes a selection of the best in contemporary world cinema. Highlights here are the much-praised Somalian drama The Gravedigger’s Wife (Little Theatre Cinema, Nov 5) and new films from arthouse favourites Claire Denis (Both Sides of the Blade, Bath Odeon, Nov 5) and the Dardenne brothers (Tori and Lokita, Bath Odeon, Nov 7).

“I’m thrilled to have joined the team at FilmBath to oversee this year’s festival,” says FilmBath’s new producer Jocelyn Chandler-Hawkins. “Taking over from Holly Tarquini are big shoes to fill but I’m up for the challenge! We’ve got a World of Cinema coming to the city of Bath this year. Highlights for me include The Gravedigger’s Wife, Funny Pages and The Silent Twins which for me all showcase the human spirit in various forms.”

Tickets for all events are on sale now on a newly launched cost-of-living crisis-friendly pay-what-you-can basis. See the FilmBath website for further information.

Main image from Empire of Light: Walt Disney