Every month, TMINE lets you know what TV the BFI will be presenting at the South Bank in London
Only a few TV-related events at the BFI in June this year – maybe they expect us all to be outside having fun in the sun or something. However, there are a few of note.
Probably the most popular (only two tickets per person) will be the preview of the final series of Poldark, complete with Q&A with Aidan Turner, Jack Farthing and Luke Norris. But a close rival will be a screening of Doctor Who ‘classic’ Planet of the Daleks, complete with improved special effects for its Blu-Ray release – that’ll include a Q&A with companion Katy Manning.
Also airing as part of the BFI ‘Bitches’ season will be the complete series of The Life and Loves of a She-Devil and a discussion of Bad Girls that will take in Killing Eve, Clique and other shows. And as part of the LBGTQ+ BFI Flare season, there’ll be a screening of BBC docu-drama Stonewall. For details after the trailers and that She Devil.
Programme
Wednesday 5 June
18:15 NFT1
TV Preview: Poldark + Q&A with actors Aidan Turner, Jack Farthing and Luke Norris, and writer Debbie Horsfield
BBC One-Mammoth Screen 2019. Dir Sallie Aprahamian. With Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jack Farthing, Luke Norris. Ep1 61min
Written by Debbie Horsfield from the novels by Winston Graham, the fifth and final series of Poldark stars Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark and Eleanor Tomlinson as his wife Demelza. It’s a new century, but the past casts a long shadow over Cornwall, and when an old friend needs help, Ross is compelled to challenge the establishment and question his loyalties to king and country. Join us as we preview episode one and say goodbye to this hit show.
Tickets limited to two per booker
Monday 10 June
18:30 NFT1
TV’s Bad Girls
TRT 90min
How does today’s TV drama reflect those dynamic, strong and often downright badly behaved women often lazily labelled as bitches? It’s a long way from the camp villainy of Kate O’Mara in Dynasty to the present crop of more nuanced and psychologically motivated ‘bitches’ we see on TV today. Crucially, many of these characters are now created by and for women, and reflect the multifaceted nature of conflict between women themselves.
Join us as we discuss modern anti-heroines from your favourite shows such as Killing Eve, Harlots, Bad Girls and Clique, assisted by special guests and plenty of clips. The event will be hosted by Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Times Style magazine.
Tickets £6.50 Please check bfi.org.uk for guest updates
Saturday 15 June
12:00 NFT1
Doctor Who: Planet of the Daleks + Q&A with actor Katy Manning
UK 1973. Dir David Maloney. With Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, Prentis Hancock. 6x25min. Courtesy of BBC Studios
With the Doctor seriously wounded and the TARDIS under the control of Jo and the Time Lords, our heroes arrive in a jungle environment on the planet Spiridon. Before long, they meet a group of Thals from the planet Skaro and find themselves at the mercy of the Doctor’s arch enemies – the Daleks.
This version of the series contains some updated visual effects and a new 5.1 stereo surround mix.
Tickets £15, concs £12 (Members pay £2 less).
Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 10 is released on Blu-ray on Mon 24 June
Sunday 16 June
14:45 NFT2
The Life and Loves of a She-Devil + panel discussion
BBC 1986. Dir Philip Saville. With Julie T Wallace, Patricia Hodge, Dennis Waterman, Tom Baker, Liz Smith. 4 x 60min + interval.
When the ungainly, unwieldy and unworldly Ruth is cruelly ditched by her cheating husband she harnesses a powerful, primal rage to free her inner-bitch and devise a fearsome, almost satanic revenge on him and his wealthy mistress.
Fay Weldon’s potent and hugely entertaining tale, expertly adapted by Ted Whitehead, made a huge splash when it first appeared. It still impresses today with its mix of dark drama and jet-black comedy. Don’t miss this special screening of the complete series.
Friday 28 June
18:15 NFT1
Stonewall + intro by writer Rikki Beadle-Blair and producer Anthony Wall
BBC 1995. Dir Nigel Finch. With Guillermo Díaz, Frederick Weller, Brendan Corbalis, Duane Boutte. 99min. 15
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, we screen a rarely seen drama-doc directed by Nigel Finch, a BBC Arena veteran who died of AIDS shortly before the film’s completion, and co-produced by New Queer Cinema pioneer Christine Vachon. Finch wisely makes no attempt to tell a ‘definitive’ story; instead we experience events through the magical memories of Puerto Rican drag queen La Miranda (Diaz), whose colourful circle of friends reflects the multiplicity of queer identities behind this historic act of resistance.
Booking times
Patrons and champions’ priority booking: Thursday 9 May from 11.30am
Members’ priority booking opens: Friday 10 May from 11.30am
Public booking opens: Friday 17 May from 11.30am
Prices
Members: £10.50
Member concs: £8.20
Non-members: £12.50
Non-member concs: £10.20
Under 16s: £6
Reduced prices for weekday matinees. Concessionary prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.
As always, visit the BFI web site for more details.
