True StoriesPG

Directed by David Byrne | USA | 1986 | 1h 29m | Starring David Byrne, John Goodman, Annie McEnroe, Swoosie Kurtz, Spalding Gray, Alix Elias

A group of quirky locals in a Reagan-era Texan town unite to organise a talent show to celebrate their state’s 150th anniversary. Directed and hosted by a cowboy-hatted David Byrne, the frontman of American post-punk band Talking Heads, True Stories draws inspiration from tabloid headlines to create a postmodern tribute to the extraordinary nature of everyday American life.

Join us for a Byrne’s Night special double-feature screening of True Stories alongside Jonathan Demme’s iconic Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense on Saturday 25th January. Click here to book your double-feature tickets.

Reviews

‘It’s a bold attempt to paint a bizarre American landscape. This movie does what some painters try to do: It recasts ordinary images into strange new shapes.’
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

‘An exuberant and wonderfully oddball stew of deadpan comedy, character drama, music video, and art installation.’
Jason Bailey, Fl

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed True Stories between January 25, 2025 and January 25, 2025.

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What else is on?

Today (Thursday 30th April)

18:00

The Magic Faraway Tree U
1h 50m
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Book here

20:30

The Wicker Man 15
+ Introduction
1h 35m
A devout Christian policeman travels to Scotland’s Summerisle to investigate a missing girl. A bleakly comic folk-horror culminating in one of 1970s British cinema’s shocking finales. May Day evening screening plus an introduction by Dr Michael Goodrum.

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Tomorrow (Friday 1st May)

15:15

Orwell: 2+2=5 15
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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18:00

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.

Book here

20:15

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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


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!