17th July (3rd Friday)

A Town Like Alice

UK | 1956 |117 mins | Drama, Romance, War | Dir: Jack Lee 
Cast: Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch

This drama, based on the book by Nevil Shute, focuses on Jean Paget (Virginia McKenna), a British office worker captured by the Japanese in Malaysia during World War II. Kept with other women prisoners, Jean eventually meets Australian soldier Joe Harman (Peter Finch), who secretly aids the weary group by stealing food. When Joe’s actions are discovered, he is punished, and Jean assumes him to be dead. However, years later, she finds out he may still be alive and sets out in search of him. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

At the 1957 BAFTA Awards, A Town Like Alice won two awards, one for Best Actress (Virginia McKenna), the other for Best Actor (Peter Finch). It received a further five nominations, including Best British Film, Best British Screenplay, and Best Film from any Source.  It was also nominated for the Best Cinematography Award at the British Society of Cinematographers Awards.

Accompanying Short Film: Offside | 2006 |Nattiv / Tadmor (TO BE CONFIRMED)