The Story of Looking15

Directed by Mark Cousins | UK | 2021 | 1h 30m | Starring Mark Cousins

As filmmaker and author Mark Cousins prepares for surgery to repair and restore his failing eyesight, he begins to consider the role that looking plays in his life – and what life might be like without it. In this deeply personal documentary, Cousins guides us through the riches of the visible world, presenting a kaleidoscope of extraordinary imagery exploring what it means to look at movies and the world around us.

Reviews

‘A treasure trove of insight about what it means to look – really look – at the world about us, and at art and movies, and not to take any of it for granted.’
★★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘Fascinating, thought-provoking stuff, told in Cousins’ engaging, typically impish way’
★★★★ Ian Freer, Empire Magazine

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Story of Looking between October 30, 2021 and November 5, 2021.

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What else is on?

Tomorrow (Thursday 9th May)

14:45

Close Your Eyes 12A
2h 49m | Spanish w/ English subtitles
A filmmaker is invited to be interviewed for a true-crime documentary about an actor who mysteriously disappeared decades ago. A stunning exploration of memory by legendary director Víctor Erice (The Spirit of the Beehive).

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18:15

The Teachers' Lounge 12A
1h 39m | German w/ English subtitles
When one of her students becomes a suspect in a theft, a teacher resolves to uncover the truth. German director lker Çatak explores the school microcosm as a reflection of our society in this Oscar-nominated drama.

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20:30

Monkey Man 18
2h 1m
In an underground boxing club, a young fighter unleashes furious rage on the city’s corrupt elite who destroyed his family. A bone-crunching action revenge thriller directed by Dev Patel (The Green Knight).

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Friday 10th May

15:30

Opponent 15
1h 59m | Persian & Swedish w/ English subtitles
After a rumour forces a family to flee their home in Iran, the husband joins a Swedish wrestling team where the past comes back to haunt him in this complex drama exploring masculinity and the refugee experience.

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18:15

Civil War 15
1h 49m
With the US torn apart by civil war, a group of journalists cover the madness of the raging conflict. Kirsten Dunst stars in this intense and thought- provoking thriller by acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland (Ex Machina).

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20:45

Sometimes I Think About Dying 12A
1h 33m
An introverted office worker feels as if she’s sleepwalking through life, until one day a colleague makes an unexpected connection in this wryly comic and wistful romantic drama starring Daisy Ridley.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!