Phoenix at Home brings you handpicked weekly recommendations, specially selected film seasons, and new releases available to stream at home via our Virtual Cinema.
The doyen of cinephiles, Mark Cousins (The Story of Film, Women Make Film) returns with a new documentary examining the power of looking. Cousins takes us on a journey through the riches of the visible world, revealing a kaleidoscope of extraordinary imagery across cultures and eras.
★★★★★ – Empire. Though the 1970s is generally considered as the reinvention of American cinema, Mike Nichols’ 1967 black comedy The Graduate remains one of the great American films. Disillusioned college graduate Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) embarks on an affair with one of his parents’ married friends. Part of our Essential Cinema season.
★★★★ – Observer. Jessie Buckley shines as Rose-Lynn in this rousing, late coming-of-age story. Aspiring country singer and single mother Rose-Lynn attempts to rebuild her life after a year in prison. After getting a job as a cleaner, her estranged kids move back in with her, but Rose-Lynn isn’t ready to give up on her dreams yet.
★★★★ – Guardian. Returning to the subject of his acclaimed 2002 film Biggie and Tupac, the latest from celebrated documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield (Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love) revisits the murders of iconic rappers Christopher “Biggie” Wallace and Tupac Shakur and the alleged involvement of disgraced Death Row Records mogul Marion “Suge” Knight.
“★★★★ – a drama sharp enough to cut you” – Time Out. Featuring a powerful and empathetic performance from Magdalina Koleśnik at its heart, hard-hitting drama Sweat tackles the modern phenomenon of social influencing through the story of a young fitness instructor struggling with Insta-fame and the isolation that comes with it.
★★★★ – Guardian. In 1985, film censor Enid (Niamh Algar, The Virtues) works diligently to ensure the most disturbing images never reach the eyes of the public, until one day she views a film that unlocks a repressed trauma from her past. A must-see for fans of ’80s horror, Peter Strickland and David Cronenberg. Also available on Curzon Home Cinema.
A signature film in the careers of Michael Caine and Julie Walters (both won BAFTAs for their performances), this charming comedy drama sees Walters’ working class hairdresser become Caine’s college professor’s unlikely student. They make an odd couple, but it turns out they’re exactly what each other needed.
Studiocanal have been adding entire movies from their back catalogue to view for free on their YouTube channel. Our pick of the selection available is Taika Waititi’s (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) sweet and hilarious debut, starring Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) as a social misfit looking for love.
★★★★★ – Guardian. Anthony Hopkins delivers an Oscar-winning performance as an elderly man struggling with memory loss. Having scared off his latest care-worker, Anthony (Hopkins) is dismayed when his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) tells him she is leaving to live in Paris. Losing track of days and confused by seemingly random people appearing in his flat, Anthony’s grip on reality begins to falter.
“★★★★★ – Hitchcock at his most witty, elegant and insouciant” – Guardian. Alfred Hitchcock’s stylish 1955 romantic thriller stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Living a life of luxury on the French Riviera, reformed jewel thief John Robie finds himself in hot water after a spate of copycat robberies. To prove his innocence Robie must catch the burglar himself.
“★★★★★ – A sensitive autistic eye on the world” – Observer. Based on the book by Naoki Higashida, Jerry Rothwell’s sensitive documentary (which screened recently at Phoenix) is perhaps the most insightful film ever made about autism. Following five families from across the globe, Rothwell creates a varied and compassionate portrait of their lives.
“A sizzling Hitchcockian love-triangle”– Guardian. This erotic Spanish psychodrama tells the twisted tale of a man who puts in motion a complex and perverse plan to reunite himself with his ex-lover, 20 years after the events that led to their separation. Part of our Virtual Cinema programme.
Dive into our specially-selected resources and online content exploring a range of film-related subjects, including interviews, articles, and archive film.
Our pick of some of the best films from around the world, including new titles and some under-seen gems.
While we're closed, we've put together some specially-curated collections for you to enjoy at home.
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Check out our online programme for families, with great films, creative activities and free downloadable resources.
We’ve got a great range of activities for young people at Phoenix, from filmmaking courses to downloadable activities for children and families
This archive brings together highlights from our art & digital culture programme from each year, going back to the opening of the building in 2009.