ONLINE SALES NOW CLOSED - TICKETS ON THE DOOR FROM 5:30PM.

Off the Wall Films in partnership with the Bath-Aix Twinning Association presents

GAGARINE

Fanny Liatard / Jérémy Trouilh, France, 2020, 98m, 12A, English sub-titles

NB - Doors at 5:30pm for a 6:30pm start.

Cité Gagarine, a Paris residential block opened with great fanfare (and with Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin as guest of honour) in 1963, was demolished in 2019. Filmed in the lead-up to the actual demolition, this mesmerising magic-realist debut feature sees space mad 16-yr-old Youri fighting to save the block and preserve his community. Youri and friends Jamil and Diana work tirelessly to restore failing lights and lift circuits in an effort to convince the authorities that the block is still viable and habitable. Meanwhile, the bulk of the residents is moving out as the contractors move in… but Youri isn’t in a mood to budge.

Based on the directors’ documentary short about Cité Gagarine’s inhabitants, Gagarine is an unlikely yet highly effective blend of urban social-realism and cosmic fantasy. As Youri desperately strives to preserve his sense of belonging, and tentatively falls in love with Diana, his mind retreats into a fantasy world in which he imagines the doomed block as a vast space station drifting through the cosmos. Strong performances from the young cast and a unique approach to pressing issues make this film a mesmerising watch.

"This terrific first feature… combines psychogeography with fantasy to create something rather unusual and lovely” – Wendy Ide, The Observer.

“Free of cliché, visually ingenious, Gagarine is a pleasure - pure magic realism, a homespun spectacular” – Danny Leigh, The Financial Times.

“It takes courage to attempt a film like this and a certain genius to pull it off. [Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh] have created something special” – Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film.

“…a dream built from debris, a rocketship made from rubble, and a touching tribute to stratospheric aspirations thriving against the odds in even the most maligned and marginalized communities” – Jennifer Kiang, Variety.

“This dreamlike romance can certainly be deemed a flagship for the continuation of imagination and ambition in French cinema” – Jonathan Romney, Screen International.

“This mesmerising debut about a teenager looking to fix up his Paris estate passes up the usual angry social-realism in favour of something more celestial” – Cath Clarke, The Guardian.

Voluntary donations - Off the Wall Films is a not-for-profit enterprise. All donations - very gratefully received - will go towards improving the OtWF programme and the presentation of films at WSC.

Carers' tickets - we offer complimentary tickets to carers of people with disabilities. If you would like to attend the screening along with the person in your care please message  offthewall@gmx.co.uk  with your request for a ticket. Please note - you are eligible for this offer only if you are accompanied by a paying person with disabilities.