Wolverhampton’s Light House cinema has released its film listings for July 2011, including the documentary Senna, Mel Gibson’s starring role in The Beaver and  Upside Down – The Creation Records Story.

Senna

Fri 1 July 5.45pm, 8.15pm, Sat 2 July 4.45pm, Sun 3 – Tues 5 5.45pm, 8.15pm, Wed 6 July 2pm, 5.45pm, 8.15pm, Thu 7 July 5.45pm, 8.15pm
Cert 12A, 1hr46
Dir. Asif Kapadia, UK, 2010

Spanning his years as a Formula One racing driver from 1984 to his untimely death a decade later, Senna explores the life and work of triple world champion Ayrton Senna, his physical and spiritual achievements on the track, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he has since attained. Directed by Asif Kapadia (Far North), the film has been made with the full co-operation of the family of Ayrton Senna, who have given permission for this to be the first documentary feature film about his life.

The Beaver

Fri 1 – Tue 5 July 5.50pm, 8.20pm, Wed 6 July 2.15pm, 5.50pm, 8.20pm, Thu 7 July 5.50pm
Cert 12A, 1hr31
Dir. Jodie Foster, USA, 2011

Two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster directs and co-stars with two-time Academy Award winner Mel Gibson in The Beaver, an emotional story about a man on a journey to re-discover his family and re-start his life. Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can’t seem to get himself back on track…until a beaver hand puppet enters his life.

Upside Down – The Creation Records Story

Sat 2 July, 7.30pm
Cert 15, 1hr40
Dir. Danny O’Connor, UK, 2010

Over a quarter of a century since it began and a decade after it folded, this is the definitive film about Creation Records, one of the world’s most successful independent labels. Millions of sales on both sides of the Atlantic, near bankruptcy, pills, thrills, spats, success, excess, breakdowns and of course some of the defining music of the late 20th Century. This is the complete and fully authorised story of the UK’s most inspired label, from the Jesus & Mary Chain at the Living Room to Oasis at Knebworth. Part of Light House presents Supersonic, see the Events page. Tickets cost £6.50 in advance / £7 on door.

Potiche

Fri 8 – Tue 12 July 5.50pm, 8.20pm, Wed 13 July 2pm, 5.50pm, 8.20pm, Thu 14 July 5.50pm, 8.20pm
Cert 15, 1hr43
Dir. Francois Ozon, France, 2010 – French with English subtitles

Set in 1977 in a French provincial town, Potiche is a free adaptation of the 1970s French hit comic play starring Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu. Suzanne is a submissive, housebound ‘trophy housewife’ (or “potiche”) who steps in to manage her wealthy husband’s umbrella factory after the workers go on strike and take him hostage. To everyone’s surprise, she proves herself a competent and assertive woman of action. But when her husband returns from a restful cruise in top form, things get complicated.

Life, Above All

Fri 8 – Mon 11 July 5.40pm, 8.15pm
Cert 12A, 1hr46
Dir. Oliver Schmitz, South Africa, 2010

Just after the death of her newly-born sister, Chanda, 12 years old, learns of a rumour that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth. Life, Above All is an emotional and universal drama about a young girl who fights the fear and shame that have poisoned her community.

Jig

Tue 12 July 5.45pm, 8.15pm, Wed 13 July 2.30pm, 5.45pm, 8.15pm, Thu 14 July 5.45pm, 8.15pm
Cert PG, 1hr37
Dir. Sue Bourne, UK, 2011

Jig is the remarkable story of the 40th Irish Dancing World Championships. Three thousand dancers, their families and teachers from around the globe descend upon Glasgow for one drama-filled week. Clad in wigs, make up, fake tan and dresses they compete for the coveted world titles. Filmmaker Sue Bourne was given access for the very first time to the little known world of competitive Irish Dancing and reveals an extraordinary year of obsession and dedication for just a few tense minutes on stage.

The Conspirator

Fri 15 – Tue 19 July 7.45pm, Wed 20 July 2.15pm, Thu 21 July 7.45pm
Cert 12A, 2hr3
Dir. Robert Redford, USA, 2010

Against the turbulent backdrop of post-Civil War Washington, rookie lawyer Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) reluctantly agrees to defend Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn) – the lone woman charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. When his colleagues, friends, and true love begin to desert him, Aiken must rely on Mary’s spirited daughter Anna (Evan Rachel Wood) to help piece together the events leading up to the assassination.