The Cinema
at Gloucester Guildhall continues its May programme this week with the British
musical film Hunky Dory, produced by Jonathan Finn (Billy
Elliot) and under the helm of
Welsh director Marc Evans (House Of America, Resurrection Man, My
Little Eye). It's the summer of 1976 --the hottest summer the UK has ever seen. At a comprehensive school in Swansea, Vivienne, an idealistic drama
teacher, played by Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), attempts to single-handedly
fight the sweltering heat and the general teen apathy by putting on an end of
year rock and roll musical of Shakespeare's The Tempest using
contemporary music of the time to engage her students and knock
them into shape....a task made hard enough by the relentless sunshine and
enticing beaches of Swansea. The musical magic is created however when the kids finally come together
lead by Davey, played by Aneurin Barnard, and perform with their hearts and
souls.
Making its premiere at the 55th London Film Festival last year, and accepted for this year's SXSW festival in America, the film features an eclectic catalogue of memorable songs of the 70s by artists such as David Bowie, The Who, ELO, Roxy Music, The Velvet Underground & 10cc all immortalised in brilliantly by the cast. If this music is your bag, this film is definitely one worth checking out....and fear not, it is not as saccharine and cheesy as the likes of Disney's High School Musical.
Don't miss your chance to see the film critics are calling:
"Charming....A Welsh blend of Glee and School Of Rock with a great soundtrack. ****"
(Mark Adams, Sunday Mirror)
"Touches the heart in a way that a more polished production might not."
(Anthony Quinn, The Independent)
Check out the trailer (above) as well as an Q&A session with Minnie Driver and the film's creative team from the LFF (below)
Hunky Dory (15) runs from Friday 11th-Monday 14th on selected dates at 7.45pm including Saturday 12th where the first 20 tickets are just £2.50!! But remember, once they're gone. they're gone.
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