Hugo (U)

In that rather flat period between Christmas and New Year, we’re delighted to present a film that will melt the hardest of hearts. Martin Scorcese’s charming fantasy is a visual triumph born out of his love for the cinema and of the early pioneers of the art.

Orphaned and alone except for an uncle, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Hugo's job is to oil and maintain the station's clocks, but to him, his more important task is to protect a broken automaton and notebook left to him by his late father. Hugo embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the automaton and find a place he can call home. His journey takes him into the strange world of Georges Méliès, the maker of over 500 silent films, and fact and fantasy become one. Unlike Méliès Scorcese is able to use the incredible tools available to the modern film maker to create a movie that is truly jaw-dropping while being heart warming at the same time - a rare feat! The all-star cast includes Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone, Emily Mortimer, Jude Law and Richard Griffiths. (USA 2011) Our supporting programme will include George Méliès’ short film “A Trip to The Moon” made in 1902.