IkiruPG

Directed by Akira Kurosawa | Japan | 1952 | 2h 23m | Japanese w/ English subtitles | Starring Takashi Shimura, Miki Odagiri, Nobuo Kaneko, Shin'ichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka

The mundane life of a middle-aged bureaucrat is turned upside down when he discovers that he has a terminal illness. After reflecting on the meaning of his life, he becomes obsessed with pursuing the construction of a children’s playground in a nearby neglected neighbourhood. One of the greatest achievements by master filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, Ikiru is celebrated for its deep exploration of existential themes and its compassionate portrayal of one man’s quest for meaning in the face of mortality.

Our screening on Sunday 15th October will be introduced by Tom Jowett, Head of Programming, The Ultimate Picture Palace.

Reviews

‘Such is the delicacy of Kurosawa’s direction, and the discreet power of Takashi Shimura’s central performance, that you will be moved to tears.’
★★★★★
Adrian Turner, Radio Times

‘The narrative is carefully paced, the central performance magnificent, the final effect overwhelming in a manner that recalls the great Russian writers Kurosawa admired.’
Philip French, The Observer

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Ikiru between October 15, 2023 and October 16, 2023.

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What else is on?

Today (Sunday 19th May)

17:15

Challengers 15
2h 11m
Jealousy, lust, and betrayal take centre court in this propulsively energetic love-triangle sports drama starring Zendaya and Josh O'Connor, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name).

Book here

20:00

Kidnapped 12A
2h 14m | Italian w/ English subtitles
In 19th-century Italy, the Catholic Church kidnaps a young Jewish boy claiming that he was secretly baptised at birth. A gripping drama told with operatic intensity and visual grandeur by Palme d’Or winner Marco Bellocchio.

Book here


Tomorrow (Monday 20th May)

18:00

Big Night 15
1h 49m
Stanley Tucci stars and directs this heartwarming and insightful comedy about two Italian brothers living in 1950s New Jersey hosting a spectacular banquet in a final effort to save their failing business.

Book here

20:30

Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry 15
1h 50m | Georgian w/ English subtitles
In a Georgian village, a middle-aged woman vows never to marry, causing intrigue amongst the locals. But when she unexpectedly begins to fall in love, she must choose between her life of independence and romance.

Book here


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!