This is a preview: Click here to read our Selma review: 'Film has all the tropes of its genre and handles them expertly: if it's not groundbreaking stuff cinematically, Oyelowo's performance more than carries it through.'
The new Martin Luther King film has been attracting much media attention for its lack of nomination, but with an astonishing performance from David Oyelowo as King, this is a movie that moves.
Ava DuVernay’s Selma
Current movie reviews for Selma are raving: now nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, Selma is an emotional rollercoaster that ought to be experienced. Set in America’s Deep South, Martin Luther King’s story focuses on his unforgiving mission to secure voting rights for all African Americans – a dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated in an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Yet the making of Selma underwent its own struggle: with over seven years in development, Selma saw its way through several directors and lead actors before finally finding a safe and wildly talented pair of hands in DuVernay, Oyelowo, and Oprah Winfrey as producer and supporting actress.
‘an electrifying tug of war’
As with all great political dramas, a thrilling battle lies at the core of this story. By 1965 where this film begins, Martin Luther King had already achieved great fame and global recognition with his ‘I have a dream’ speech. But there was much still to be done: the legal right for African Americans to vote was in fact a lie. Humiliating and intimidating tests prevented honest people from registering to vote, and worse still, these restrictions were backed by the bullish heads of the Southern states, with Governor George Wallace – the film’s despicable villain – being the most notorious among them. It is the three-way battle between Governor Wallace’s racism, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s hesitancy on how to act, and King’s unstoppable determination, that makes this drama ‘an electrifying tug of war’.
‘a razor sharp portrait of the civil rights movement’
Honoring the reality of the historic march, Selma does not shy away from the gory details. It brutally depicts what life was like for those who stood up for their rights: rife with scenes of racist aggression, the razor sharp portrait of the Selma march is uplifted by an exhilarating cast of actors. Remarkably, all three lead roles are played by our very own Brits: joining Oyelowo are Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction), giving a pitch-perfect performance as the cruelly expedient Governor Wallace and Tom Wilkinson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as the morally divided President.
The film's emotional journey is also eased by an original score by John Legend. The film, snubbed at the Oscars to much media attention, is a long-awaited portrayal of one of the most famous freedom fighters in global history. Of all the films that are out this weekend, this is one that needs to be experienced. Selma movie UK release date: 6th February + preview at the BFI on 5th February.
Central: Where to see Selma in Central London: The BFI - Special advance screening, 5th February
But as one of the best cinemas in London, the BFI is a must-visit for aspiring film professionals and film-fanatics alike. Every year it screens on an idiosyncratic mix of classic, independent and non-English language films as part of its carefully curated line-up of seasons and retrospectives.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Curzon Victoria this weekend.
WIth elegent decor and plush seats, Everyman Hampstead is one of London's most sumptuous cinemas. Film-buffs can choose from a wide selection of food and drink served straight to their seat.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Everyman, Hampstead this weekend
East: Where to see Selma in East London: Hackney Picturehouse
The Hackney Pictureshouse shows a quirky mix of art-house and mainstream films. And with its buzzing bar and restaurant, it’s a great place to hang out before and after screenings.
Click here for other suggestions of what's on at the Hackney Picturehouse this weekend.
Surreptitiously housed in this minimalist, glass-fronted building, the new Curzon Victoria looks more like a private member’s bar than a cinema. Stylishly lit, with spacious seats housed in intimate, comfortable screening rooms, it's a gem that's still relatively unknown.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Curzon Victoria this weekend.
Brixton's historic Ritzy is known for its relaxed atmosphere and eclectic programme of art-house films, documentaries and Hollywood blockbusters. The range of craft beers on offer make The Ritzy a cut above the rest.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Ritzy this weekend.
The new Martin Luther King film has been attracting much media attention for its lack of nomination, but with an astonishing performance from David Oyelowo as King, this is a movie that moves.
Ava DuVernay’s Selma
Current movie reviews for Selma are raving: now nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, Selma is an emotional rollercoaster that ought to be experienced. Set in America’s Deep South, Martin Luther King’s story focuses on his unforgiving mission to secure voting rights for all African Americans – a dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated in an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Yet the making of Selma underwent its own struggle: with over seven years in development, Selma saw its way through several directors and lead actors before finally finding a safe and wildly talented pair of hands in DuVernay, Oyelowo, and Oprah Winfrey as producer and supporting actress.
‘an electrifying tug of war’
As with all great political dramas, a thrilling battle lies at the core of this story. By 1965 where this film begins, Martin Luther King had already achieved great fame and global recognition with his ‘I have a dream’ speech. But there was much still to be done: the legal right for African Americans to vote was in fact a lie. Humiliating and intimidating tests prevented honest people from registering to vote, and worse still, these restrictions were backed by the bullish heads of the Southern states, with Governor George Wallace – the film’s despicable villain – being the most notorious among them. It is the three-way battle between Governor Wallace’s racism, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s hesitancy on how to act, and King’s unstoppable determination, that makes this drama ‘an electrifying tug of war’.
‘a razor sharp portrait of the civil rights movement’
Honoring the reality of the historic march, Selma does not shy away from the gory details. It brutally depicts what life was like for those who stood up for their rights: rife with scenes of racist aggression, the razor sharp portrait of the Selma march is uplifted by an exhilarating cast of actors. Remarkably, all three lead roles are played by our very own Brits: joining Oyelowo are Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction), giving a pitch-perfect performance as the cruelly expedient Governor Wallace and Tom Wilkinson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as the morally divided President.
The film's emotional journey is also eased by an original score by John Legend. The film, snubbed at the Oscars to much media attention, is a long-awaited portrayal of one of the most famous freedom fighters in global history. Of all the films that are out this weekend, this is one that needs to be experienced. Selma movie UK release date: 6th February + preview at the BFI on 5th February.
Cinemas showing Selma in London:
Central: Where to see Selma in Central London: The BFI - Special advance screening, 5th February
But as one of the best cinemas in London, the BFI is a must-visit for aspiring film professionals and film-fanatics alike. Every year it screens on an idiosyncratic mix of classic, independent and non-English language films as part of its carefully curated line-up of seasons and retrospectives.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Curzon Victoria this weekend.
WIth elegent decor and plush seats, Everyman Hampstead is one of London's most sumptuous cinemas. Film-buffs can choose from a wide selection of food and drink served straight to their seat.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Everyman, Hampstead this weekend
East: Where to see Selma in East London: Hackney Picturehouse
The Hackney Pictureshouse shows a quirky mix of art-house and mainstream films. And with its buzzing bar and restaurant, it’s a great place to hang out before and after screenings.
Click here for other suggestions of what's on at the Hackney Picturehouse this weekend.
Surreptitiously housed in this minimalist, glass-fronted building, the new Curzon Victoria looks more like a private member’s bar than a cinema. Stylishly lit, with spacious seats housed in intimate, comfortable screening rooms, it's a gem that's still relatively unknown.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Curzon Victoria this weekend.
Brixton's historic Ritzy is known for its relaxed atmosphere and eclectic programme of art-house films, documentaries and Hollywood blockbusters. The range of craft beers on offer make The Ritzy a cut above the rest.
Click here for other suggestions of what’s on at the Ritzy this weekend.
If none of our suggestions take your fancy, check out the complete cinema listings for Selma in London: Selma film times, London
| What | Selma |
| Where | BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, Southbank, London, SE1 8XT | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
| When |
06 Feb 15 – 30 Apr 15, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Price | £various |
| Website | Click here to go to Selma's imdb page |
