Ipswich Film Theatre

• 2017
• 1h 33min

• Directed by: Nora Twomey
• Cast: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus

Parvana (Chaudry) is an 11-year-old girl living in Kabul, who when her father is arrested by the Taliban, disguises herself as a boy so she can move around unimpeded. The animation is elegantly simple and it’s a valiant effort, but the script lacks clarity and it’s hard to see how children would take to such a politically-charged narrative.

• 77%
• 78%

• read review
• more info

• 2017
• Germany
• 2h 20min
• 12A

• Directed by: Ai Weiwei
• Cast: Israa Abboud, Hiba Abed, Rami Abu Sondos

Ambitious documentary about the global refugee crisis, made with 25 crews criss-crossing the globe. Ai’s empathy for the displaced comes through and although it’s a little unwieldy at times, it’s full of poetic images and fascinating on-the-ground footage.

• 68%
• 77%

• read review
• more info

• 2017
• UK
• 1h 32min
• 12A

• Directed by: Joe Stephenson
• Cast: Ian McKellen, Scott Chambers, Luke Evans, Frances Barber

A feature-length interview with Ian McKellen, in which the actor looks back over his long career as an actor and LGBT activist. Those who only know him from appearances in big movie franchises will find great clips from his theatre work, and McKellen is a born, unpretentious storyteller. Warm and endearing.

• 78%
• 68%

• read review
• more info

• 2017
• UK

• Directed by: Dominic Cooke
• Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Anne-Marie Duff, Emily Watson

Adaptation by Ian McEwan of his own novella, in which newlyweds Eddie (Howle) and Florence (Ronan) have an unsatisfying wedding night in a Dorset hotel in the early 60s. Overwrought and underwhelming, it’s filmed with a heavy hand by theatre director Cooke, making it for self-important and unengaging viewing.

• 64%
• 62%

• read review
• more info