Khodorkovsky takes an explosive look into the life of former titan of the Russian oil industry, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, during his trial in Russia for an oligarchical rule of the market. After returning to his homeland from exile, Khodorkovsky is immediately arrested for challenging then President Putin, and a journey into the mind of one of Russia's most powerful people begins.
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For our August summer season we will screen one of the classics from our documentary catalogue every Wednesday night. The film will start at 7.30pm, opt for our £15 special offer for both the screening and a classic from our clubroom menu, 6pm onwards.
Khodorkovsky takes an explosive look into the life of former titan of the Russian oil industry, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, during his trial in Russia for an oligarchical rule of the market. After returning to his homeland from exile, Khodorkovsky is immediately arrested for challenging then President Putin, and a journey into the mind of one of Russia’s most powerful people begins.
Despite the fact that Khodorkovsky could have lived comfortable in exile for many years, he returns to his homeland and faces one of the most followed cases in modern Russian history. His transformation from communist to capitalist executive captivates many, including those around him and in the highest positions of power. Khodorkovsky the film examines those who knew him best, and offers unprecedented access to Khodorkovsky as he stands trial in Russia for his crimes.
Directed by Cyril Tuschi
Duration: 111 mins
Year: 2011
In the most dangerous place in Afghanistan, the violently contested Korengal Valley, a platoon of fifteen American soldiers fight a seemingly endless war against an Al-Qaeda stronghold. Told through the voices of the soldiers themselves, Restrepo takes the viewer on a harrowing journey through the lives of the men serving abroad without the interjection of the vox populi usually heard on the news.
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In the most dangerous place in Afghanistan, the violently contested Korengal Valley, a platoon of fifteen American soldiers fight a seemingly endless war against an Al-Qaeda stronghold. Told through the voices of the soldiers themselves, Restrepo takes the viewer on a harrowing journey through the lives of the men serving abroad without the interjection of the vox populi usually heard on the news.
The platoon, named after a medic who was killed during an insurgence, explore the remote countryside of their post in attempts to win the hearts and minds of the valley’s native Afghan people. At every step, however, the threat of bombs and snipers looms as the soldiers try to push forwards into no-mans land. A personal story of loss, tactic, isolation, and the human cost of war, the film explores one of the most hotly debated and discussed military actions in the past decade.
On April 20, 2011 while covering the conflict in Libya, Tim Hetherington was killed by Libyan forces in a mortar attack on the besieged city of Misrata.
Directed by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger
Duration: 93 mins
Year: 2010
2011 Oscar Nominated
2010 Winner Grand Jury Prize Documentary Sundance
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Each year in China more than 130 million migrant workers travel home for the New Year's holiday -- the one time they'll reunite with family all year. The mass exodus constitutes the world's largest human migration. Amid this chaos, director Lixin Fan focuses on one couple, Changhua and Sugin Zhang, who embark upon a two-day journey to see their children.
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Each year in China more than 130 million migrant workers travel home for the New Year’s holiday — the one time they’ll reunite with family all year. The mass exodus constitutes the world’s largest human migration. Amid this chaos, director Lixin Fan focuses on one couple, Changhua and Sugin Zhang, who embark upon a two-day journey to see their children.
The Zhangs left their rural village for factory jobs when their children were just infants. Now a teenager, daughter Qin resents their continual absence. Yearning for her own freedom, she quits school to work in a factory herself. Her parents, who see education as their children’s one hope, are devastated.
Through its intimate and heartbreaking observation of the Zhangs, Last Train Home places a human face on China’s ascendance as an economic power. To overwhelming effect, Fan illustrates the cost incurred by fractured families and reveals a country tragically caught between its industrial future and rural past.
Directed by: Lixin Fan
Duration: 85′
Year: 2009
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An inspirational documentary following the extraordinary quest of the Afghan cricket team to qualify for the 2011 World Cup. Against a backdrop of war and poverty, Out of the Ashes, traces the remarkable journey of a team of young Afghans as they chase a seemingly impossible dream - shedding new light on a nation beyond burqas, bombs, drugs and devastation.
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An inspirational documentary following the extraordinary quest of the Afghan cricket team to qualify for the 2011 World Cup. Against a backdrop of war and poverty, Out of the Ashes, traces the remarkable journey of a team of young Afghans as they chase a seemingly impossible dream – shedding new light on a nation beyond burqas, bombs, drugs and devastation.
Backed by BBC Storyville and Executive Produced by Oscar-winning director and cricket fan, Sam Mendes, the film follows the Afghan cricket squad over two years as they go from playing in their shalwar-kameezes on rubble pitches to batting their way around the globe and up the international league tables. The film reveals a more human side to this beleaguered country which has been occupied almost continuously for three decades. It travels from refugee camps in Pakistan – where many of the players learned the game as boys – to practice sessions in Kabul and on to the qualifying tournaments overseas.
With unrestricted behind-the-scenes access at international matches, the film follows the ups and downs of their epic journey. Witty, touching and nail-biting to the end, Out of the Ashes is a compelling story of triumph over adversity.
Directed by Tim Albone and Lucy Martens
Duration: 90′
Year: 2010
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Made over 15 years by club founders Vaughan Smith and Richard Parry the film is an intimate journey with war photographer Robert King, following his ambition to win the Pullitzer Prize for photography in the most dangerous warzones of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
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Made over 15 years by club founders Vaughan Smith and Richard Parry the film is an intimate journey with war photographer Robert King, following his ambition to win the Pullitzer Prize for photography in the most dangerous warzones of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
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‘Completely blown away by it. It’s beautifully put together, and by far the best war doc I have seen … It’s beautifully constructed with the reveal of his wife and son at the end, and his development as a character works so well. I dread to think of the work and time that went into it but it is a brilliant film…’
Nick Broomfield, Filmmaker.
‘Following the progress of photographer Robert King from hapless hopeful to hardened hack, this gripping chronicle of the wars of the last two decades manages to be funny, shocking and an uncomfortable insight into the lives of war correspondents. I loved it!’
Christina Lamb, Author and war reporter
‘The innocent, the naive, the kind, the clumsy – none of these people live long in war. Which makes Robert King’s survival all the more surprising, and this film all the more remarkable. Listen carefully to the story of this dirty faced angel from Tennessee. Then have him shot at dawn. The world is too ugly to allow such honesty to live.’
Anthony Loyd, Author and war reporter
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