Stop Making SensePG

Directed by Jonathan Demme | USA | 1983 | 1h 28m

Big songs. Even bigger suit! Director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) captures the intoxicating experience of New York art-rockers Talking Heads performing live at the peak of their powers in 1983. Beginning with frontman David Byrne performing a solo rendition of ‘Psycho Killer’, members of the band join the set one-by-one, song-by-song to create one of the most legendary and joyous live music experiences put to film. Newly restored in 4K to coincide with the film’s 40th anniversary, it is now considered by critics and fans to be the greatest concert documentary of all time.

Join us for a Byrne’s Night double-feature screening of Stop Making Sense alongside David Byrne’s 1986 directorial debut True Stories on Saturday 25th January. Click here to book your double-feature tickets.

Reviews

‘The energy of Jonathan Demme’s 1984 film defies categorisation, and David Byrne in the ‘Big Suit’ is the Chuck Berry of new wave art-rock’
★★★★★
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘And even now, how fresh it seems. For all the reverence and influence, how unique as well. The greatest concert movie ever made? Whether truth or fact, it is.’
★★★★★
Danny Leigh, The FT

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Stop Making Sense between October 13, 2023 and January 31, 2025.

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What else is on?

Today (Tuesday 5th May)

17:45

Father Mother Sister Brother 15
£6 for Members / HOH Subtitles
1h 50m
Acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch weaves stories across New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, where siblings reunite amid family tensions and tragedy. Starring Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, this Golden Lion-winning triptych blends quiet humour with poignant insight.

Book here

20:15

Orwell: 2+2=5 15
£6 for Members
1h 59m
Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck, collaborating with the Orwell Estate, explores George Orwell’s life and legacy through archival footage, diary readings and contemporary imagery. Engaging with 1984 and Animal Farm, this urgent documentary reveals the enduring relevance of his prophetic vision.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 6th May)

18:30

Miroirs No. 3 15
1h 26m | German w/ English subtitles
A young piano student survives a car crash and is taken in by a woman whose intense care turns deeply unsettling. Starring Laura Beer and directed by Christian Petzold, this haunting psychological complex drama probes trauma, memory and hidden pasts.

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20:30

Linda Linda Linda Cert-TBC
1h 54m | Japanese w/ English subtitles
When their singer quits, three high schoolers recruit a Korean exchange student, played by Bae Doona, to perform in their band. Racing to learn songs, this joyful coming-of-age favourite celebrates friendship, music and youthful determination in a new 4K restoration.

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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 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!