It’s that time of year again – time to go to the cinema!  With Oscar nominations upon us and cold dark evenings to get through, what better chance to scoot along to the capital’s picture houses to see the cream of Irish and international film-making?  And if you time it right, also mingle with the great and the good at the festival galas!  “So, Bear”, you say, “the list is long but my monies don’t stretch to two solid weeks of film-going.  What should I go see?”  Well I’m only too delighted to make some suggestions, dear reader.   See below!

Showing at 1pm this Sunday (21^st), Orlando, based on Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel, is my first must-see.  Starring the wonderful Tilda Swinton in the title role, and some fabulous appearances by Quentin Crisp as Queen Elizabeth (who else?!) and Jimmy Sommerville, this is a modern day queer classic.  An androgynous nobleman is given an estate with the proviso to never grow old, and as a result 50-year jumps through the Civil War, the early colonial period, the literary salons of 1750 (by which time Orlando is a woman), the Victorian era of property, and finally a 20th century postscript.

After her appearance at last year’s GAZE festival, I can’t wait to get along to Patricia Rozema’s wonderful comedy I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing.  Starring Sheila McCarthy, Paule Baillargeon and the multi-talented Anne-Marie McDonald (Better Than Chocolate, The L Word), it’s a modern day lesbian classic that stands up to repeat viewings – bring some pals along on 24^th February at 2pm, a wonderful excuse to take a day off!

Another classic worth a re-watching is My Beautiful Laundrette, Stephen Frears’ 1985 feature.  Starring Daniel Day-Lewis in one of his first roles, it tells the unlikely story of a racist thug and a young Asian man who were boyhood friends, now struggling to survive in racially tense Thatcher-era Britain.  Tackling issues of racism and homophobia with intelligence and humour, it became a worldwide hit and made a star of Day-Lewis, who turns in one of his best performances.  Showing on 25^th February at 2pm.

Winner of the Golden Marc’Aurelio Jury Award for Best Film at the International Rome Film Festival last year, Denmark’s Broderskab (Brotherhood) is the story of Lars, disillusioned by life in the army and drawn into a Neo-Nazi network.  He meets Jimmy, and the two begin a secret affair which doesn’t remain secret for very long.  Not one for the faint of heart, it is still an intriguing prospect.  Showing on the 26^th February at 6.30pm.

Full film details, programme and special events listings are at the festival website, http://www.jdiff.com/, as well as ticket booking facilities.  You can also call the box office on 01 687 7974 from 10am – 6pm daily.

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