London Road

press release:

London Road (2015, UK, 91 min., Digital)

Dir: Rufus Norris; Cast: Olivia Colman, Paul Thornley, Nick Holder, Clare Burt, Michael Shaeffer, Tom Hardy

A true-crime film like no other, London Road recounts a series of murders that plagued the small British town of Ipswitch—entirely in song. Every lyric in this one-of-a-kind cine-opera is taken verbatim from real-life interviews with the townsfolk, transforming a community in crisis into a spellbinding choir. The bold combination of documentary reportage with musical artifice conjures a delightful frisson, while retaining the core emotional truth of the harrowing episode that binds these neighbors. Here is an exaltation of everyday language and community that you have to see—and hear—to believe. “Enthralling and haunting… an exciting, unsettling experience blessed with imagination and compassion. Five stars (Time Out). “Utterly gripping and very moving… a unique triumph” (The Guardian).

This fall, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) will premiere a powerhouse slate of acclaimed films to Madison audiences.  MMoCA’s Spotlight Cinema will show eight critically-celebrated and award-winning narrative features and documentaries from around the world, screening every Wednesday night from September 28 through November 16. Highlights include the winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival (Dheepan), the winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival (Sand Storm), and new work by master directors Hirokazu Kore-eda (After the Storm) and Nikolaus Geyrhalter  (Homo Sapiens).

​"MMoCA's Spotlight Cinema series is Madison’s chance to experience eight of the year’s most acclaimed and vital arthouse films on the big screen. These eight films comprise a wide-ranging survey of contemporary world cinema, including top prize-winners from Cannes and Sundance, new work by revered master directors, and envelope-pushing visions from the auteurs of tomorrow," stated Mike King, Guest Film Curator.

Spotlight Cinema is curated by Mike King, and is a program of MMoCA’s education department. Funding for the series has been provided by maiahaus, Venture Investors, LLC, and an anonymous donor. Ticket sales begin at 6:30 pm in the Museum lobby; films screen at 7 pm in the lecture hall. Admission is free for MMoCA members and $7 per screening for the general public.