Occasional Cinema – Loving Vincent

Date: Thursday, 23rd November 2017
Time: 6:30 pm


Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman  UK/Poland  2017  95  PG  animation, biography, crime, drama

A feature-length painted animation – the first film of its kind – exploring the life and unusual death of Vincent Van Gogh through depictions of his artworks

‘Loving Vincent’ is a fascinating and truly beautiful animated feature. The entire film, frame-by-frame, is rotoscoped in the unique and stunning oil paint style of the late painter to tell a compelling, fascinating and heartwarming story about an investigation into the life of the painter.  It offers up a fairly complex portrait of a man whose more inexplicable acts — the film kicks off with the infamous ear incident in Arles — will never be fully understood.

The story brings a poetic sense of tragedy to the last act of van Gogh’s life, and fresh insight into the kind of man he was. “Loving Vincent” may exist as a showcase for its technique, but it’s the sensitivity the film shows toward its subject that ultimately distinguishes this particular oeuvre from the countless bad copies that already litter the world’s flea markets. To the extent that van Gogh’s style permitted him to capture a deeper sense of truth, he makes a noble model for the filmmakers to follow.

Occasional Cinema is a film society run by volunteers. Films are shown at the Mill Bistro, Seiont, Caernarfon on the second Wednesday of the month and at Blue Sky Cafe, Bangor on the fourth Thursday and unless stated otherwise start sometime after 7.30pm. We do not generally show films during the summer.

Membership is available on the door for a cost of £5; the first film is free; after this entrance for the film is £3.00.

Food is available from 6.30pm and a sophisticated clientele enjoy the wholesome food, reasonable price (£11.00 for two courses) and excellent atmosphere.  Please make reservations for any meals AT LEAST 24HRS IN ADVANCE –  Blue Sky 01248 355444. You can’t book a seat for the film only, which is on a first come first served basis. If you want to guarantee a seat you must book a meal. 

MENU Home made nut roast, mushroom gravy, roasties and veg.  Appeltaart and cream for pud