Small, Slow But Steady12A

Directed by Shô Miyake | Japan | 2022 | 1h 40m | Japanese w/ English subtitles | Starring Yukino Kishii, Masaki Miura, Shinichirô Matsuura, Himi Satô, Hiroko Nakajima

A hearing-impaired boxer strives to make her dream of becoming a professional a reality. However, her journey hits a breaking point when her boxing gym faces closure as its president’s health worsens. Director Shô Miyake beautifully captures the essence on 16mm film, showcasing his artistry in crafting a distinctly atypical sports drama, anchored by Yukino Kishii’s nuanced and authentic performance.

Reviews

‘Kishii is wonderful in her largely silent role, and Sho Miyake’s film underpins its low-key style with a deft sense of rhythm.’
★★★★
Edward Poter, The Sunday Times

‘As beautifully understated as the title suggests, and it looks gorgeous. A touching sports drama about the here-and-now, rather than victories or defeats.’ 
★★★★
Josh Slater-Williams, Little White Lies

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Small, Slow But Steady between July 14, 2023 and July 19, 2023.

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What else is on?

Today (Saturday 7th March)

11:30

The Ultimate Survivor U
59m
Documentary about the history of Oxford oldest and only independent cinema, Cowley Road's The Ultimate Picture Palace.

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14:00

I Only Rest in the Storm 15
3h 31m | Portuguese w/ English subtitles
Pedro Pinho’s hypnotic drama follows a Portuguese engineer in Guinea-Bissau, confronting post-colonial realities while forming tense relationships with locals. Winner of Un Certain Regard for Best Actress (Cleo Diára) at Cannes Film Festival 2025.

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18:15

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You 15
1h 53m
A house filling with water. A child who won’t get better. And a husband who’s never there. Rose Byrne delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as a mother whose world is unravelling in Mary Bronstein’s darkly comic portrait of modern womanhood.

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21:00

“Wuthering Heights” 15
2h 16m
In 18th-century Yorkshire, brooding outsider Heathcliff falls for Catherine, the daughter of his master, igniting a destructive love story of obsession. Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie star in Emerald Fennell’s (Saltburn) sensual adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel.

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Tomorrow (Sunday 8th March)

10:30

History of the UPP Talk U
When the Oxford Picture Palace (now the Ultimate Picture Palace) opened in 1911 it was Oxford's first purpose-built 'electric theatre'. Join local historian Liz Woolley for this FREE talk about Oxford's cinema history. Booking essential.

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12:45

James and the Giant Peach U
Kino Kids Cinema Club
1h 19m
Orphaned James escapes his cruel aunts by discovering a magical giant peach. Inside, he befriends talking insects and sails to New York City. This inventive live-action and stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic celebrates imagination, adventure, and friendship.

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15:00

Jules and Jim 12A
35mm screening
1h 46m | French w/ English subtitles
Two close friends fall for the same irresistible woman, forging a love triangle that endures before and after World War I. François Truffaut’s exuberant, deeply moving classic is a timeless meditation on freedom, friendship, and the complexities of love.

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17:30

“Wuthering Heights” 15
2h 16m
In 18th-century Yorkshire, brooding outsider Heathcliff falls for Catherine, the daughter of his master, igniting a destructive love story of obsession. Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie star in Emerald Fennell’s (Saltburn) sensual adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel.

Book here

20:30

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You 15
1h 53m
A house filling with water. A child who won’t get better. And a husband who’s never there. Rose Byrne delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as a mother whose world is unravelling in Mary Bronstein’s darkly comic portrait of modern womanhood.

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 only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!