Wilko Johnson

Summer down but not yet out at the Electric

Now in its third year, there is still plenty to see of the Electric Palace’s Summer Music Season as it continues throughout September, writes Annie Waite. Rain or shine, these music-themed films will charm music lovers and are once again hosted by acclaimed music journalist and comedy writer David Quantick, who also happens to be a Hastings resident.

David Quantick hosts the Summer Music Season.

Films about Kurt Cobain and the Manic Street Preachers have already been aired so far as part of this year’s season. Next comes a Carol Morley’s 60s drama  set in an English girl’s school, The Falling, which screens on 10 and 12 September and includes an atmospheric soundtrack by Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl. Tracey Thorn contributes angular melodies to match the off-beat, bittersweet emotion of the story shot through a delectably candy-coated lens.

Dicing with death

The Falling atmospheric 60s drama with Tracey Thorn soundtrack

Screening on 20 September, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson features the eponymous R&B musician and actor,  who appeared at the local Rye Jazz & Blues Festival earlier in the month.  Wilko was diagnosed with cancer and given a few months to live…But like every good story his story has a damn fine twist, as two years later, he wakes up in hospital unexpectedly sentenced to live.

For some truly high-brow culture, you can also catch Terry Gilliam’s acclaimed Benvenuto Cellini (26 September), featuring the English National Opera. Gilliam’s inexhaustible imagination is unleashed on Berlioz’s dazzling opera, the outrageous autobiography of celebrated 16-century goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini.  It tells of thwarted love, intrigue, and mistaken identity and features dazzling visual set pieces including a wild Mardi Gras carnival. The Daily Telegraph called it  “exuberantly colourful and inventive… a wonderful evening of entertainment”.

To find out more and book tickets for the screenings, visit the Electric Palace website.

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