Lexi is super busy this weekend with THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 taking over our screens. And things are only going to get busier when MICHAEL arrives next Friday. This cinematic life story of musician Michael Jackson has divided critics but has smashed box office records to become the biggest biopic opening of all time. You'll have to book and decide for yourself next weekend!
For a musical flavour this side of the Atlantic we've got POWER BALLAD at the end of the month starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. The feel-good film of the year from director John Carney (Sing Street, Once) follows a past-his-prime wedding singer in Dublin who has his song stolen by a revered popstar. From thievery to forgery, Ian McKellan stars in THE CHRISTOPHERS as renowned painter Julian Sklar. He faces off against Michaela Coel who is seeking to forge fakes of his unfinished masterpieces, opening here from Friday 15th May. In the Scottish Highlands we visit THE NORTH about two former best friends trekking through nature, definitely one for any fans of The Salt Path! And then there's OUR LAND, an acclaimed documentary questioning who has the right to roam in the English countryside?
Though we don't yet have a name (ideas welcome!), we're launching a new season here in May. We'll be screening a series of films beloved by our programmers which didn't get a full release at The Lexi. We're launching on Friday 15th May with MY FAVOURITE CAKE, an incredible Iranian drama from 2024 about love, loss and the resilience of old age. This will be followed with ALL THAT'S LEFT OF YOU from Wednesday 20th May, a beautiful account of a Palestinian family across three generations which we didn't have space for earlier this year. We close out the May portion of this programme with PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE from Friday 28th May. Though we did show this one, we sadly had to close our doors due to the pandemic in the middle of its release. My personal favourite film of the decade so far, this queer French romance has only grown in esteem since its initial release, ranked as the 30th greatest film of all time in the recent Sight and Sound poll!
We've a distinctly Italian energy at The Lexi next week with PRIMAVERA's arrival. It follows a 20-year-old violin virtuoso in 18th century Venice whose world is turned upside by her new teacher: Antonio Vivaldi. Plus our female filmmaker strand SPOTLIGHT continues with Italian maestra LINA WERTMÜLLER. Lina was the first woman nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards and I'll be introducing my personal favourite of hers LOVE & ANARCHY on Sunday 10th May. Not far across the Mediterranean you'll find Spanish filmmaker Carla Simón whose latest film ROMERIA may be her best yet. An intimate and passionate coming of age film set on the Galician coast.
There's a Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson murder mystery with THE SHEEP DETECTIVES. Or for a different kind of family fun why not leave the kids at home and try Jim Jarmusch's Golden Lion winning triptych FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER starring Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett and Charlotte Rampling. And if there's a metalhead in your family you'll want to let them know about IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION, a documentary about the legendary band screening over the later May bank holiday weekend.
After the success of All My Sons, we are excited to present our next National Theatre Live release: THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD. Opening on Monday 1st June, this inspired reimagining of the classic Irish play is a must-see and members have priority booking on this until Wednesday morning. We're welcoming back Exhibition on Screen too with FRIDA, a highly engaging film which takes us on a journey through the life of one of the most prevalent female icons: Frida Kahlo. There's a special one night only chance to see Billie Eilish on the big screen in her and James Cameron's concert experience BILLIE EILISH HIT ME HARD AND SOFT THE TOUR, screening on Saturday 30th May. And last but not least we're excited to welcome classic Kung-Fu Cinema here on Friday 22nd May with LEGEND OF A FIGHTER.
Coming on a Tuesday? Remember you can bring a friend for free! And not forgetting £6 tickets all day for members on Mondays.
