Mexican family satire Abel kicks off 2018 programme for East London’s The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema

The dysfunctional family of Abel (Christopher Ruíz-Esparza), here with his dad Anselmo (José María Yazpik). The award-winning Mexican comedy is being screened at Moo Cantina Brick Lane for The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema

Enjoy food and film at the fabulous Moo Cantina Argentina Brick Lane. Yes, our first screening of the New Year is taking place at the East End branch of this renowned eatery – the perfect spot to enjoy Abel (2010), a comedy drama set in Latin America.

When six-year-old Abel’s (Christopher Ruíz-Esparza) father abandons the family, the young boy suffers a breakdown and is subsequently admitted into a psychiatric hospital. After his mother Cecilia (Karina Gidi) persuades doctors to let him come back home, the family are faced with Abel’s strange new persona: that of his absent father. Ironically, as Abel plays the man of the house, his father Anselmo (José María Yazpik) turns out to be as much of a child as Abel and things get even more complicated when Anselmo tries to return home as head of the family.

This peculiar tale blurs reality and fantasy, offering an enjoyable, off-beat drama that intrigues, disturbs and entertains in equal measure. The award-winning film marked a strong directorial debut for Diego Luna, who appeared alongside Gael Garcia Bernal in the 2001 coming of age movie Y Tu Mamá También.

For this screening The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema is travelling to Brick Lane, in the heart of the East End. Not only are those lovely people at Moo Cantina hosting us, but they have also created a special menu for movie-goers wanting to grab a bite to eat before or after the screening. Tuck into their Starters platter (chorizo, morcilla, 2 empanadas, calamari and provoleta cheese) and wash down with a draught beer, priced at £7 per person. Or you can order off their regular menu.

The restaurant also does a pre-screening happy hour with cocktails on offer for just £5.50. Screening admission price excludes food and drink – guests can pay for these on the day, but do allow at least an hour if you wish to eat before the film starts.
Sip fabulous cocktails and tuck into an amazing steak, served by our screening host Moo Cantina Argentina Brick Lane


Places for the screening are limited, so buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are priced just £3 plus booking fee, available from Eventbrite. See below for details on how to book online.

Launched in September 2017, The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema is a community cinema project managed by film charity Balik Arts and funded by Tower Hamlets Council as part of its Thriving High Streets programme.  Our screening of Abel is kindly facilitated by Cinema for All. 

Follow this blog, or sign up to our mailing list here. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information about future events and screenings. And for those living or working in Tower Hamlets, there’s also an opportunity to join our team of volunteers and receive free training on how to run your own community cinema.

Screening
Event: See Mexican movie Abel and dine out at Moo Cantina Brick Lane
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Film Classification: 15
Date: Wednesday 31st January 2018
Venue: Moo Cantina, 60-62 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF
Start Time: 7.30pm
Running time: 80 minutes
Tickets: £3 + bf, tickets available from Eventbrite (screening only, food and drinks are extra). 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Going Turkish in Bethnal Green: UK film premiere of My Suburban Story, followed by dinner at Wood Mangal

Image
  Still from Benim Varoş Hikayem / My Suburban Story(2017) Later this month, our Tower Hamlets travelling community cinema pops-up at Oxford House in East London for a very special evening: the UK premiere of acclaimed mockumentary Benim Varoş Hikayem / My Suburban Story . The film was released in Turkey last year to rave reviews. It’s set in the back streets of Adana, southern Turkey, where director Yunus Ozan Korkut captures the essence of life through the eyes and tales of brilliant local characters living in Ceyhan, on the outskirts of the city. Korkut, who is also from Adana, draws on his circle – family, friends, neighbours and other local notables – for this rare and authentic insight into their untold and, to the outsider, invisible world. His exquisite palette of personalities include Culluk Yusuf the expert bird-thief, feminist former village headwoman Naime, Devran who loves to prop up the bar, and local strongman Cihangir Abi. Culluk Yusuf the e
Read more

Hidden Figures – an empowering true story for International Women’s Day

Image
Still from Hidden Figures (2016) starring (L-R):  Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson,  and Octavia Spencer  WOMEN-ONLY EVENT! For International Women’s Day, The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema will feature a fabulous film from the United States. Released in 2016, Hidden Figures is the incredible yet little known true story about three women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind American astronaut John Glenn’s ground-breaking orbit around the Earth. Playing on 10 March, our Saturday afternoon movie has a top-draw cast: Katherine Jonson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) – three brilliant African-American women whose intellect not only enabled the successful launch into orbit of astronaut John Glenn, but also helped the USA move ahead of the Soviets in the all-important Space Race. The visionary trio crossed all gender and racial line and inspired generations. The film picked up multiple awards when it was released two
Read more

Spreading a little Mutluluk / Happiness in Bethnal Green

Image
Still from Mutluluk/Happiness (2017), the directorial film debut of Necip Caghan Ozdemir The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema proudly presents Mutluluk/Happiness (2017), short movie from Turkey.  Part of our fantastic double-bill at the end of February, this award-winning film was written and directed by Necip Caghan Ozdemir, and tells the story of a man working at a car repair shop who is determined to overcome the gloom and misery around him to spread happiness. The 12-minute clip has already travelled the world through its official selection at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Dhaka International Film Festival and Hollywood Turkish Film Festival, with additional screenings at Cannes Short Film Corner and the International Bosphorus Film Festival, winning the Best Short Film Award at the latter. Its next stop is Bethnal Green in East London. Many will be able to relate to this universal tale about trying to find happiness against the odds. Set in Turkey, the shop's owner, playe
Read more