12:08pm on the 22 December 1989 was the moment of Ceausescu’s fall from power in Romania. 16 years on, a TV talk show commemorates the event by asking local heroes to reminisce about the revolution. But without any suitable guests the producer is left with a drink-addled history teacher and a retired, lonely sometime-Santa Claus. The men’s fanciful boasts of rebellious glory are hilariously disputed by phone-ins from viewers who recall an altogether different version of events. The film sharply satirises the short memories and inconsistencies of post-revolutionary Romania.

Discussion will be led by Paul A Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, Leeds Uni, and editor of International Journal of Zizek Studies.

£2 entry to film

Film starts at 7.45and will be followed by discussion and drinks.

An astonishing and rarely screened film blessed with some of the most extraordinary camerawork in film history. Ostensibly this is Communist propaganda, celebrating the progress achieved by the Cuban Revolution and dramatising four examples of injustice to the common man in pre-Revolutionary Cuba. It’s still pushing the boundaries of pure cinema – a stirring and unforgettable experience.

“Communist agitprop’s most unrestrained diva hymn and one of the most visually titanic works in the century of movies.”
The Village Voice

£2 entry to film

Film starts at 7.45 and will be followed by discussions and drinks.

The film will be introduced by Mark Burton of Cuba Solidarity Campaign Manchester and Parvathi Kumaraswami, Lecturer in Latin American Cultural Studies at the University of Manchester.

This incredible documentary was created when two independent filmmakers found themselves inside the presidential palace on 11 April 2002 when Hugo Chavez was forcibly removed from office by the Venezuelan elite and 48 hours later when, remarkably, he was returned to power by the people.

The film forces viewers to think about the connection between powerful leaders and popular democracy and provides an extraordinary portrait of the man The Wall Street Journal credits with making Venezuela “Washington’s biggest Latin American headache after the old standby, Cuba.”

£2 entry to film

Film starts at 7.45 and will be followed by discussion and drinks.

To celebrate the launch of Manchester Film Co-operative snacks and music will follow the screening and discussions.

We would like to thank Unicorn Grocery for providing the food, Stagalee for the music and Cuban Solidarity Campaign Manchester for the film.