Things To Do
Preview
All you need to know about Film4 Summer Screen
Film4 Summer Screen runs across 14 nights at Somerset House.
This month, Film4 takes over the stunning Somerset House to host a series of films across 14 nights. They range from classic cult films such as Donnie Darko and The Omen (on a very special double feature) to recent Academy Award winners and eye-opening documentaries. All are watched in the grounds of the spectacular building, projected onto London’s biggest outdoor screen. They’ll even be DJs spinning tracks influenced by the films, as well as food and drink stalls for fans to enjoy. Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset welcomes some familiar faces to live introductions on specially selected nights.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 14 night cinema experience.
What can I see?
There’s a selection of UK premieres, cult, classics, documentaries and more across the 14 evenings at Somerset House. Here’s what Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House has on the cards.
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power*
Thursday 10 August 2017 | Cert 15 | UK Premiere
Former Vice President Al Gore joinsfans at Somerset House for the UK Premiere of the sequel to his Oscar-winning environmental documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
Did you know: The film received two standing ovations at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Victoria
Friday 11 August 2017 | Cert: 15
A young woman is on the run through Berlin in this thriller that’s shot in a single take and unfolds on-screen in real-time, without cuts.
Did you know:: It took 3 attempts to film the movie. The take used for the final cut was the third take, at 134 minutes long.
Donnie Darko + The Omen (Double Bill)*
Saturday 12 August 2017 | Cert: 15
Jake Gyllenhaal’s cult antihero Donnie Darko and Devil’s spawn Damien Thorn team up for an eerily entertaining double-bill of suburban Gothic and Satanic panic.
Did you know:: At the wrap party for Donnie Darko, Seth Rogen and Jake Gyllenhaal apparently agreed that they had no idea what the movie was about.
The Philadelphia Story
Sunday 13 August 2017 | Cert: U
You’re sure to fall for this sophisticated and star-packed comedy featuring an unbeatable trio of Hollywood greats Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart.
Did you know:In his autobiography, Donald Ogden Stewart wrote that the original play was so perfect, adapting it was the easiest job he ever had to do in Hollywood.
Moonlight*
Monday 14 August 2017 | Cert: 15
This triple Oscar-winner follows an African-American boy’s journey from youth to young manhood is one of the most talked-about and deeply-felt films of recent times.
Did you know:: Such were the budgetary constraints on this production, the cast had to share one trailer for costume, hair and makeup and one rest room stall had to be shared by cast and crew.
All The Presidents Men
Tuesday 15 August 2017 | Cert: 15
Political conspiracy, White House scandal – Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are crusading journalists in a gripping dramatic-thriller that could be ripped from today’s headlines.
Did you know: Frank Wills, the security guard who discovered the break-in at the Watergate complex, plays himself.
The Square
Wednesday 16 August 2017 | Cert: 18 TBC | UK premiere
A hilarious and profound art-world satire that balances laugh-out loud moments with unsettling setpieces. Currently your only chance to see The Square in the UK.
Did you know: Winner of the 2017 Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Bjaji On The Beach
Thursday 17 August 2017 | Cert: 15
This big-hearted British comedy follows a group of South Asian women as they head to Blackpool for a fun-filled, emotion-packed day at the beach.
Did you know: The story and screenplay was co-written by Meera Syal, who starred in Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars and more recently, Broadchurch.
In Bruges*
Friday 18 August 2017 | Cert: 18
Director Martin McDonagh’s wickedly funny black comedy starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as hitmen sent to beautiful Bruges to stay out of trouble.
Did you know: In the original script, Ray and Ken are English, but when Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson came on board, the characters were changed to Irish as to suit their natural sensibilities.
Jaws + Deliverance (Double Bill)
Saturday 19 August 2017 | Cert: 18
Prepare yourself for a nerve-shredding night with our double-bill of suspense classics – two cautionary tales about what can happen when you’re out of your depth.
Did you know: According to writer Carl Gottlieb, the line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat,” was not scripted, but was ad-libbed by Roy Scheider.
My Neighbour Totoro*
Sunday 20 August 2017 | Cert: U
The animation of Studio Ghibli delivers magic and adventure as two young sisters find themselves taken under the wing of a friendly forest furball.
Did you know: King Totoro is the mascot for Hayao Miyazaki’s studio, Studio Ghibli.
Cruel Intentions*
Monday 21 August 2017 | Cert: 15
A real guilty pleasure starring Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar in a teen movie full of racy revelations, campy come-uppances and perverse pleasures.
Did you know: The movie was originally called Cruel Inventions, but test audiences thought that made it sound like a science fiction film, so the name changed before it was released.
Blow-Up
Tuesday 22 August 2017 | Cert: 15
The 50th anniversary of a 1960s British cinema icon: a mystery following a fashion photographer through a swinging London where nothing is what it seems.
Did you know: The film contains a rare performance of The Yardbirds during the period when Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck were both in the band. Jeff Beck would leave a few months later.
Patti Cake$
Wednesday 23 August 2017 | Cert: 15 | UK premiere
Meet Patricia, an ordinary girl who dreams of becoming a superstar rapper. An upbeat coming-of-age crowd-pleaser, with the director joining fans for this premiere.
Did you know: Patti was supposed to be from Lodi, New Jersey as a tribute to Glenn Danzig/The Misfits, but writer/director Geremy Jasper wound up changing Patti’s hometown.
*Sold out at time of writing
**Trivia courtesy of IMDb
UK premieres, eh?
That’s right. Film4 Summer Screen is your first opportunity in the UK to catch three of the films. Even better, you can catch them on London’s biggest outdoor screen, surrounded by food, drink and friends.
There will even be special appearances at two of the three premieres, with former Vice President of the United States of America Al Gore attending in person for the first UK screening of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power. Director Geremy Jasper will also introduce the premiere of his latest film, Patti Cake$.
The third premiere will allow fans the first glimpse of the award winning The Square, featuring Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss.
Double-header cult classics
There are two evenings of double-features showcasing some seriously cool cult-classics. Donnie Darko followed by The Omen has already sold out, but there’s still tickets to catch nautical suspense thriller Jaws and terrifying canoe trip Deliverance. The latter was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Picture, with Jaws walking away with three gongs, particularly for its immense sound.
Make it extra comfortable
Fans can make their trip that much more special by getting involved in the Blanket and Backrest packages, and delving into a Tom’s Kitchen Picnic Hamper. Both can be added on at the time of purchasing a ticket to make things even more comfortable.
The Blanket and Backrest package offer just that, a blanket and a cardboard backrest, both of which can be taken home after the show. Large blankets and backrests will be available to purchase on the night but not at the special package rate.
Blankets and backrests can be purchased at the same time as tickets through Ticketmaster.co.uk. Note that these are not available through the mobile site.
Grab a hamper
Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House have also teamed up with the award winning Tom’s Kitchen to offer two hamper deals.
Tom’s Kitchen Picnic Favourites £55.00 per hamper (inc booking fees)
A small basket, disposable glasses, cutlery & plates
A bottle of Red / White Wine
A smoked salmon platter with rye bread and lemon
Two bacon and gruyere tarts
Two bags of Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs
A selection of antipasti and crudités
One scotch egg
Two dessert pots: one lemon posset and one chocolate pot
Tom’s Kitchen Picnic Feast £75.00 per hamper (inc booking fees)
A small basket, disposable glasses, Prosecco flutes, cutlery & plates
A bottle of Prosecco
A smoked salmon platter with rye bread and lemon
Two bacon and gruyere tarts
Two Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs
A selection of crudités/antipasti
One chicken liver parfait
One scotch egg
A selection of macaroons
Two dessert pots: one lemon posset and one chocolate pot
Hampers must be booked at the same time as booking tickets through Ticketmaster.co.uk. Note that these are not available through the mobile site.
Getting there
Somerset House is located on the Embankment Pier of the River Thames in central London, close to Temple station. It is also easily walkable from Covent Garden, Charing Cross and Embankment.
Find out more over on the Somerset House website.
Getting tickets
There are still limited tickets available for screenings of: Victoria | The Philadelphia Story | All The President’s Men | The Square | Bjahi On The Beach | Jaws + Deliverance | Blow-Up | Patti Cake$
Grab them now, including options to add blankets, backrests and picnic hampers, through Ticketmaster.co.uk.