What’s the best thing about Brighton in the summer? Many would answer the hazy days and nights spent on Brighton beach and this year Luna Beach Cinema is coming for one month with a whole host of films as well as the World Cup and Wimbledon. The beach cinema has in the past been hosted by local business Brighton’s Big Screen but this year the rights for the seafront were put out to the highest bidder. The owner of Brighton’s Big Screen told Brighton & Hove News that he was “totally and entirely heartbroken” when the council made the decision and further said “It’s like building a windmill and growing the wheat and then just as you are about to make your first loaf of bread, Hovis turns up in an articulated lorry. We helped to raise money for Save the Terraces, we worked with local businesses like the Volks Tavern and the Madeira Cafe who were providing us with our catering.” It is a crying shame when local businesses are pushed out by big money but the council have responded by saying they will hire as many local people as they can to help out at the event.
This year Luna Beach Cinema have introduced The Short Film Competition. In partnership with Brighton and Hove City council, the organisers are wanting to recognise and encourage the next generation of up and coming filmmakers from Brighton and Sussex. They are looking for films that highlight and celebrate Brighton, they say on their website Finalists will be posted on Luna Beach Cinemas’s website “this could mean shot in/around Brighton, have crew or actors from the local area, or examine themes relevant or important to the town.” where the finalists will be vote for by the public. The prize for the competition is £500 and the winning film will be screened before the FIFA World Cup Final in front of an audience up to 4000 strong. Submissions close on the last day of May so there’s still plenty of time to get some work together.
There are some true classics showing as well as newer releases with films like Grease and Shape of Water. We’ve made a list of some of the best films being screened that you just cannot miss.
JUNE
15th – Mean Girls: The 2004 classic telling the story of Cady Heron as she navigates her way through a whole new high school (and life) experience. A masterpiece of early 2000’s comedies, there are 100’s of lines to quote from Tina Fey’s genius take on high school bullies and trivial gossip.
16th – The Greatest Showman: This new release came out last year and is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business. It was inspired by the true story of P.T Barnum and his circus. It shows the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to fame. It’s got an all star cast of Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya. If you haven’t seen it yet or you want to re-watch it, now’s your chance!
18th – Finding Nemo: Do we really need to tell you about Finding Nemo? One of the best animated films of all time, Finding Nemo comes to the seaside to show Nemo, Marlin and Dory on their adventures across the ocean.
19th – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Frances McDormand, rightfully, won an Oscar for her part in this film depicting the story of a heart-broken mother on a quest for justice for the murder of her daughter. This film gets deep into the corruption of American police and the anger felt when families are torn apart. Not one to miss.
22nd – Pretty Woman: The 1990 classic with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere tells the story of a prostitute and a business man falling in love but those who have seen it will know it’s so much more than that. It’s worth coming down just for that scene in the swanky shop.
24th – Bo66y (also seen as Bobby): Following the screening of England vs Panama, Luna will screen the award-winning documentary about Bobby Moore and how he led the team to victory in 1966. This is a powerful, dramatic and deeply personal portrait of one of the most iconic English football players of all time.
25th – The Incredibles and Casablanca: Much like Finding Nemo are descriptions of these films necessary? The 25th is a great opportunity to see two classics back to back. The Incredibles is showing at 9:30 am (one for the family) and Casablanca at 1:00pm so by 4 o’clock you will most definitely have had your fill of great film.
30th – Toy Story: Join Woody, Buzz and friends as they escape the evil clutches of Sid Phillips, the nasty neighbour. This film has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and we challenge you to find anyone who doesn’t love it. Don’t miss the chance to see this feel-good film back on the big screen.
JULY
5th – The Shape of Water: This recent release tells the story of Elisa, a mute isolated woman who works as a cleaning lady in a secret high-security government laboratory in 1960’s Baltimore. She discovers the lab’s classified secret and develops a truly unique bond with her new found friend. This was the Oscar winner for best film so if you haven’t seen it yet, you really should!
8th – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: The first Harry Potter book was adapted into a film in 2001 and has, as you may know, never stopped being popular. The first film sets up the trials and tribulations that take place across the entire collection of stories and this is a fabulous chance to see Daniel Radcliffe when he was just embarking out on his career. Catch baby-faced Dan at 6:00pm.
9th – Romeo and Juliet: This Baz Luhrmann adaptation of the most famous of Shakespeare’s plays has stood the test of time and will be showing at 6:00pm. Set in a modern-world but with the original Shakespearean script, Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio capture the star-crossed lovers as they would have been in the 90’s – flame shirts and all.
12th – Quadrophenia: They’ve played this film every year the beach cinema has been going and it’s a great chance to see the story of the Mods and Rockers as they were in their day and our city. There’s some great shots of old-school Brighton amongst the chaos. On your way home you can still visit ‘Quadrophenia Alley’, although the door now remains firmly locked.
14th – Dirty Dancing: Culminating the month of great movies comes this classic starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman goes on holiday with her parents to the Catskills mountains and swiftly falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle. Try and refrain from recreating the infamous lift in the sea after…
