Lighthouse is proud to be part of the BFI Film Audience Network's new nationwide season, Too Much: Melodrama On Film, in which audiences are invited to follow their emotions and get swept away by the big screen experience.
Too Much celebrates the excess and dramatic potency of a form of cinema that champions emotional intensity over propriety and good taste. As Poole’s only independent cinema, in the heart of the town centre, Lighthouse is excited to augment its film programme of British, classic, world and indie titles across a range of genres with this specially curated programme of big screen melodrama.
“The BFI’s Too Much season is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some exceptional films for our audiences,” explains Katy Griffiths, Lighthouse Head of Programming.
“This thoughtfully curated programme offers a really diverse range of films all designed to stir your emotions. From modern classics to vintage echoes of Hollywood’s golden era – I can’t wait to see them on the big screen.”
With its roots in the exaggerated performance and expressive staging of the silent era, the melodramatic mode evolved to incorporate a wealth of genres and stories. United by their emotion-driven plots, vivid visual language and self-conscious audience manipulation, these films are designed to make you break down in tears, cause a scene, fall in love… to feel something!
Neil Ramjee, Film Hub South West Community Manager, adds: “Film Hub South West is immensely proud to support Lighthouse through the generosity of National Lottery funding, as part of the BFI Film Audience Network.
“Lighthouse’s vibrant programme of big screen experiences promises to enrich culture and bring communities together across Poole, Bournemouth and the wider south coast. By sharing stories that reflect our past, present and future, Lighthouse will continue to inspire audiences and strengthen the region’s cultural life.”
Too Much: Melodrama On Screen features:
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (12A)
Tuesday 4, Friday 14 November, 11am, Cinema
A former vaudeville child star torments her paraplegic sister, who eclipsed her as a movie star, while desperately clinging to hopes of a comeback. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford star in Robert Aldrich’s film classic.
All That Heaven Allows (U)
Thursday 6 November, 7.30pm, Cinema
An upper-class widow falls in love with a much younger, down-to-earth nurseryman, much to the disapproval of her children and criticism of her country club peers. Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson star.
Romeo and Juliet (12A)
Wednesday 12 November, 5pm, Cinema
Baz Luhrman updated of Shakespeare’s famous play stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes and John Leguizamo.
Johnny Guitar (PG)
Saturday 15 November, 4pm, Cinema
After helping a wounded gang member, a strong-willed female saloon owner (Joan Crawford) is wrongly suspected of murder and bank robbery by a lynch mob.
Death Becomes Her (PG)
Wednesday 26 November, 7.30pm, Cinema
When a fading actress learns of an immortality treatment, she sees it as a way to outdo her long-time rival. Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis and Goldie Hawn star; Robert Zemeckis directs.
Too Much: Melodrama On Screen is made possible with the support of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by The National Lottery.
Tickets for all screenings available now at What’s On – Lighthouse or on 01202 280000.
(NC)