Film on Sunday: Artist's Choice (Double Bill)
Billy Liar and Midnight Cowboy: Chosen by Harland Miller
Auditorium, Bermondsey
A John Schlesinger Double Bill
Billy Liar and Midnight cowboy both deal with identity fantasy and escape - though not necessarily in that order. Both inveterate fantasist Billy Liar and self styled gigolo Joe Buck - dissatisfied with their own provincial worlds, create timeless and fabulous illusions to live by. Billy Fisher in Post war bradford and in stark contrast Jo Buck does the same in Psychedelic New York of the 60's. When these illusions shatter on the hard rock of reality both are left facing the deprivation and consequence of self reinvention and naive dreams . fittingly Midnight Cowboy also has a haunting soundtrack by John Barry who died this time last year. Also, as Midnight Cowboy is an X certificate - infact the only X certificate film to win an oscar - we will be playing that one later - after Billy Liar... feel free to come to one or the other but hopefully both.
Harland Miller
Billy Liar
Directed by John Schlesinger
1963
Running time: 98 minutes
Sunday 25 March 2012
Auditorium, White Cube Bermondsey
2pm
Billy Liar (1963) is a story about a young Yorkshireman with an overactive fantasy life, a classic comic character who dreams of transcending his humdrum existence but can never actually do it. Based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse, and starring Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie, the film follows the ups and downs of Billy, an undertaker clerk who lives at home with his mother and grandmother. Constantly lying to evade his responsibilities and with three girlfriends on the go, he longs to escape his provincial life and daydreams about ‘Ambrosia’, his own fantasy land where he aims to become a military leader in total control. But, when he finally gets the chance to leave for London with favourite girlfriend Liz (Julie Christie), he is somehow unable to do so. Directed by John Schlesinger, Billy Liar is a classic of New Wave British cinema where kitchen sink realism meets comedic fantasy.
Intermission
Midnight Cowboy
Directed by John Schlesinger
1969
Running time: 113 minutes
Sunday 25 March 2012
Auditorium, White Cube Bermondsey
4pm
Based on a James Leo Herlihy novel, Midnight Cowboy (1969) follows young Texan Joe Buck (Jon Voight) as he quits his job as a dishwasher and moves to New York to make it as a hustler. Quickly losing money and realizing that hustling is not what he had hoped it would be, naïve Joe meets Enrico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo (Dustin Hoffmann) a tubercular and crippled con man. The two end up inseparable side kicks living together in Joe’s rented apartment and finally fulfilling Rizzo’s dream of leaving New York for Miami. Directed by John Schlesinger and starring Dustin Hoffmann in one of his most famous roles, the film won three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Reservation is not necessary, but places are limited. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.