The Maldon Film Club 20th season continues to pull in the crowds– with great films and some 100 members coming along to each screening.

Currently topping the leader board is One Life with an approval rating of 92.4%. The season continues with the screening of the BAFTA award winning 20 Days in Mariupol on Wednesday, January 8 and the highly acclaimed Wicked Little Letters on Wednesday, January 22.

20 Days in Mariupol is not only a vivid account of civilians caught up in the siege of Mariupol but also a window into what it is like to report from a conflict zone.

A team of Ukrainian journalists, the only international reporters to remain in the city, capture defining images of the war and of Russian atrocities: dying children, mass graves, a bombed hospital and more. It may not be an easy watch but it certainly is an important one.

Our second film of 2025, Wicked Little Letters, is based in an English seaside town in the 1920's. Two of its inhabitants, the deeply conservative Edith Swan (Olivia Coleman) and a rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley) are neighbours.

When Edith and others start to receive anonymous letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul mouthed Rose is charged with the crime and a trial ensues. However, when local women begin to investigate they suspect that something is amiss. Perhaps Rose is not the culprit after all!

Our films for February 2025 are the BAFTA award nominated Till which is the true story of Mamie Till Mobley's pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son Emmet and Chile '76 which is set during the time of Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship.

The season continues until May 28, 2025 with films being shown fortnightly on Wednesdays in 2025.

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 £25 so why not join now and watch the remaining 11 films for free.

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 the website, pop in to the Maldon Visitor Information Centre (Tuesday – Saturday between 1100 and 4pm) or phone 01621 869340 for membership enquiries. Alternatively you are welcome to come along as my guest, meet members of the committee and pay your subscription on the night.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me, John Salisbury, on 07905 971608.