Some films slip through the cracks. Here are a few handpicked ones we recommend you don't miss.
Coming to (almost!) all Everyman venues, the newborn Beyond strand is a weekly appointment to discover your new favourite director, actor, genre, or even dream travel destination.
Throughout the year, on a Monday matinee or a Wednesday evening, we'll spotlight independent films that probably passed you by but are worth your time.
We hope you'll join us on this journey beyond the barriers of comfort! Keep reading for insight on the upcoming films in the strand.
WE'RE ON LETTERBOXD! We finally joined the ultimate cinephile platform: follow us for exclusive content and sneak peeks at our programmes. P.S. Pro-tip: tag 'everymancinema' in your Letterboxd watches to tell us what you think of the Beyond titles... maybe it'll help us choose what to bring to screens!
The Nature of Love
Monday 29th & Wednesday 31st July
Not your typical romcom, watch it if you enjoyed The Worst Person in the World — Zsofia, Film Programming
Sophia is a wealthy 40-year-old philosophy professor on the verge of a mid-life crisis. Sylvain is a younger working-class carpenter who’s renovating the house where Sophia lives with her partner Xavier. When they meet, it’s love at first sight.
A fresh twist on genre and gender conventions about the temptation to risk it all in the name of all-consuming passion, it poses a relatable conundrum: is a moment of feeling young and alive worth losing a secure and familiar, yet boring, routine? This and more questions asked (and never really answered…) in this Canadian gem.
BEYOND… On-screen relationships. The main character, played by Magalie Lépine Blondeau, is writer/director Monia Chokri's best friend in real life.
BEYOND… Job roles. Chokri plays The Nature of Love’s protagonist’s best friend Françoise in the film; the writer/director is an experienced actress, notably having also starred in Xavier Dolan’s Heartbeats and Laurence Anyways.
Unicorns
Monday 5th & Wednesday 7th August
A great romance about finding love amidst two very different upbringings — Dom, Film Programming
He’s a straight, white, working-class mechanic from Essex. She’s a gay, Muslim drag queen from South Asia. They say opposites attract, but is this a step too far?
From the hidden underground of the South Asian queer community comes a powerful story of colliding cultures and forbidden love, as a stereotypical lad’s-lad becomes enchanted with a drag queen he meets whilst out on the town.
Heartfelt and surprisingly funny, you will undoubtedly fall in love with such a unique story.
BEYOND… Fiction. Many of the film’s events were inspired by the real-life experiences of South-Asian drag queens, including producer Asifa Lahore.
BEYOND… Minorities. This is one of very few on-screen stories that highlight South Asian LGBTQIA+ people - a group who, as Director Sally El Hosaini describes, is a “minority within a minority,”.
Crossing
Monday 12th & Wednesday 14th August
An emotional story of healing, regret and acceptance — Zsofia, Film Programming
Set against a picturesque backdrop, a retired Georgian schoolteacher and a young man cross the border to find their long-lost transgender niece and friend.
The result is a beautiful road movie about community and unlikely connections. With heartfelt dialogues and immersive cinematography, you’ll feel as if you're walking down the cat-filled streets of Istanbul yourself.
BEYOND… Bigot borders. Director Levan Akin received death threats after the release of his previous film And Then We Danced, a gay love story set in Georgia, that sparked violent protests from conservative groups in Georgia. Due to its similar LGTB themes, Akin decided not to release Crossing in the country, to avoid it getting caught in a crossfire.
BEYOND… Professional acting. Lucas Kankava, playing Achi, only had experience in front of a camera making TikToks of himself, and his audition tape was shot in the nail salon where he worked.