THE MONTH OF THE CLASSIC AS CASABLANCA COMES TO TOWN!

Maldon Film Club's 20th season continued in March with the screening of the highly recommended Scrapper and All of us Strangers which is described as a poignant story about love, family and the ghosts of our past.

Our films for April include the Oscar winning Anatomy of a Fall and our Classic for this season Casablanca, which was the winner of 3 Oscars including Best Picture and 2 Nominations including Humphrey Bogart for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Anatomy of a Fall will be screened on Wednesday April 2. The story begins when Samuel is found dead in the snow outside the isolated chalet where he lived with his wife Sandra, a German writer, and their partially-sighted 11-year-old son Daniel.

An investigation leads to a conclusion of "suspicious death": it's impossible to know for sure whether he took his own life or was killed. Sandra is indicted, and we follow her trial which pulls the couple's relationship apart. Daniel is caught in the middle: between the trial and their home life, doubts take their toll on the mother-son relationship

The Old Oak is a special place. Not only is it the last pub standing, but it's also the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community that has now fallen on hard times after 30 years of decline. 

The landlord, hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his predicament is endangered even more when the pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice.

In an unlikely friendship the landlord meets a curious young Syrian woman named Yara, who is always carrying a camera. Can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other?

What unfolds is a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.

Our third and final film for April, the Classic Casablanca, will be screened on Wednesday April 30 after our Social Evening and AGM. Casablanca is the story of Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), acynical world-weary ex-pat who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco during the early stages of WWII.

Despite pressure from the local authorities, Rick's cafe has become a kind of haven for refugees seeking to obtain illicit letters that will help them escape to America. But when Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) , a former lover of Rick's, and her husband, show up one day, Rick faces a tough challenge which will bring up unforeseen complications, heartbreak and ultimately an excruciating decision to make.

Our 20th season continues until May 28, 2025 with films being shown fortnightly on Wednesdays.

The Club meets at Maldon Town Hall, doors open at 7.15pm, wine and soft drinks are available at a charge from 7.30pm and unless notified to the contrary all films will commence at 8pm.

The price of the membership subscription for the rest of the season remains at £2 5 and in addition there are a limited number of places for junior members aged 16-18 in full time education and training at the reduced cost of £18. 

As a member you will be asked to give your reaction to the films you have seen and also help the committee compile the programme for the following season. Membership is open to all and new members will be made very welcome. Members' guests pay just £4 per film!

For further details and an application form please visit our web site www.maldonfilmclub.uk, phone 01621 869340 for membership enquiries or pop in to the Visitor Information Centre which is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 4 pm

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me, John Salisbury, on 07905971608.