Beer Film Society was founded in September 2006.  With a great deal of help from the British Federation of Film Societies and donations from Beer Parish Council, Devon County Council, Mike Green and several others, the Society was able to obtain basic projection and audio equipment.  Our aim is to bring a combination of popular as well as less-mainstream films to the village.  Over the years the Society has used any surplus funds from the screening of films to improve the quality of its equipment.

Our screenings are held in Mariners' Hall in Beer, for which we are very grateful.  Mariners' Hall has a high-definition video projection system as well as improved acoustics, which together mean that our audiences get a first-class viewing experience.  Films are usually screened on Thursdays, with the doors open at 6.45pm for a 7:30pm start.  A licensed bar is provided.

Beer Film Society is delighted to announce it has another special treat lined up for its next film at the Mariners’ Hall on Thursday July 18th.

With the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris just around the corner we are getting into the mood by showing the award-winning documentary "We Dare To Dream" (PG, 1hr 38mins).

Directed by Academy Award-nominated Waad al-Kateab and executively produced by Angelina Jolie and John Legend, this powerful film tells the story of five refugee athletes from Iran, Syria, South Sudan and Cameroon who swim, run and fight their way to opportunity and safety in host nations across the world.  The documentary follows their lives and hopes as they train to compete on the global stage at the Tokyo Olympics as members of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.

What the critics said:

‘As an uplifting portrait of human endeavour against the odds, this is hard to beat.'  Wendy Ide. The Observer. 4*

‘The film is a powerful antidote to the narrative that refuges are nothing but a drain on resources.’  Cath Clarke. Guardian. 3*

‘It’s a gripping, character-driven doc that pays tribute to incredible strength and perseverance amid many obstacles – including the Covid pandemic.’  Anna Smith. Time Out magazine. 4*

To celebrate this evening, we have linked up with Amneh Arnaout of "Mary’s Syrian Kitchen" in Ottery St Mary, who will be providing some tasty treats for us to enjoy before the film – all included in the ticket price (£5 members, £7 guests).

 Amneh and her husband Hani are themselves refugees who, with their two children, fled the war in Syria in 2017 to Jordan, before being offered the chance to resettle in the UK through a partnership with Ottery St Mary’s Church.  Once they had settled in Ottery St Mary, Amneh set up her home-catering business offering Syrian food takeaways and home deliveries, and giving the local community the opportunity to sample and learn about Syrian cuisine.

 A year after their arrival Hani and Amneh had another baby who they named Mary, in gratitude to the town of Ottery St Mary and the support they received from the local community.

To reserve seats or a table for this screening, please email beerfilmsociety@gmail.com by Monday 15 July.

Our AGM will be held before the screening, starting at 6.45pm.  All members of Beer Film Society are invited to attend.

Members whose subscriptions are due in June will be invited to renew their membership in July after the AGM.

 

Membership of Beer Film Society costs £15 for a full 12 months, and members pay a £5 entrance fee at each screening that they attend.  The entrance fee for non-members is £7.  Priority is given to reservations by members, but non-members may also reserve tickets.  To book tickets and to find out more about Beer Film Society, just email beerfilmsociety@gmail.com.

 

Last edited: Tuesday 2 July 2024