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FILMS - THEATRE - MUSIC - CONCERTS

SPECIAL FEATURES

Chariots of Fire - re-mastered & re-released across the UK, July 13th!

Premier is thrilled by the decision of Twentieth Century Fox to re-release the wonderfully re-mastered and digitised classic movie, Chariots of Fire, into cinemas across the UK on 13th July! The multi-award winning film has been transformed for the digital age and has inspired the Christian community since its original release in 1981 with its strong themes of faith, dedication, passion, trust and overcoming.

Chariots of Fire tells the story of two very different men who compete as runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics: Eric Liddell is a devout Christian who believes that his athletic abilities are a gift from God, and that using that gift to its fullest extent - to win the gold medal - will be his way of repaying that gift. Harold Abrahams is an English Jew, a student at Cambridge, who dreams of fame and of proving to his anti-Semitic fellow students, and to the world, that Jews are in no respect inferior. Their motives are noble. Their commitment is total. Their integrity is unquestionable. They will both make personal sacrifices to achieve their goals. In the process, through all the obstacles and personal issues they conquer, they prove that striving for victory in their own terms is, perhaps, its own reward. Based on a true story, Chariots of Fire was the winner of four Academy Awards®, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, in addition to receiving nominations for three more.

Damaris Trust have produced some wonderful FREE resources for churches, small groups and social groups to go alongside the film and they are all absolutely FREE. This is a real gift of an opportunity for churches engaging with the Olympics to reach out to their communities. To find out how you can use the film both in and out of church AND to order your free resources, just click here!

We have a very limited number of special, 'money-can't-buy' tickets to the red carpet GALA previews of Chariots of Fire on the night of 10th July, courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox! Screenings will be in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Belfast, Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham and London's Leicester Square. We have just 5 tickets to give away to each event. To find out more and to enter the draw click on the button.

Complete Surrender: Free Sample Chapter!

Eric Liddell, the Scottish 400m Olympic champion from the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris was immortalized in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. His story, however, goes far beyond the restrictions of a 2-hour movie. Complete Surrender recounts not only the highs and lows of Liddell's athletic career, including his controversial decision never to run on a Sunday, but also his life after the Olympics as a missionary in war-torn China.

Joyful Noise

Oscar® nominees Queen Latifah (Chicago, Hairspray) and Dolly Parton (Transamerica, Steel Magnolias, Nine to Five) star in Alcon Entertainment’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ Joyful Noise, the story of a small town choir out to win a national competition despite overwhelming odds. A story of faith and determination by the choir leaders, despite discord between its two leading ladies that threatens to tear them apart. The choirs newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill (Latifah), stubbornly wants to stick with their traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow (Parton) thinks traditional translates to tired-and-old.

Joyful Noise is the story of two strong-willed women and the young talent who give their all to win against the odds and beat the competition for the grand prize.

Amy Grant

Six time Grammy winner Amy Grant is headed back to these shores following her successful UK tour in 2011. "I really had an amazing time in the UK last year, and this is not some old marketing hype I promise, I really cannot wait to return again this year". Last year's performances were Amy's first in the UK in over 15 years.

July will see Ms Grant visit London's Union Chapel venue and Belfast's Glenmachan. She will also appear in one concert in Amsterdam. She brings with her her amazing acoustic band, with stellar names such as Gene Miller, Tony Harrell and legendary percussionist Gregg Morrow. Tickets are available from www.AmyGrant.co.uk, or click below for your chance to win!

Beyond Gold

Beyond Gold is an entertaining, inspirational and extraordinary mix of stirring Gospel singing, live musicians, dance and drama, bringing to life, real stories of Olympic athletes.

The production explores what it takes to be part of the exhilarating yet painful quest for Olympic success.

This is original and innovative musical theatre written by Mervyn Weir, that explores Christianity’s relationship with the Olympic Games. The production is good for the whole family and provides the perfect opportunity to invite friends and neighbours to an entertaining and educational evening where the Gospel is shared in an easy manner.

Once in a lifetime the Games come to you - don’t miss this! Find out more here.

FILMS

Red Tails

Inspired by the true story of World War II’s first African American fighter squadron, Red Tails is a thrilling action-packed film with the most realistic dogfights ever to hit the screen.

Executive produced by George Lucas, produced by Rick McCallum and Charles Floyd Johnson, written by John Ridley (Three Kings) and Aaron McGruder (The Boondocks), and directed by Anthony Hemingway (The Wire), Red Tails tells the tale of the heroic 332nd fighter group of the U.S. Army Air Corps who overcame racial discrimination to become one of the most distinguished squadrons in World War II.

The film’s ensemble cast includes Academy Award® winner Cuba Gooding Jr (Jerry Maguire), Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (Iron Man), Nate Parker (The Secret Life of Bees), David Oyelowo (Rise of the Planet of The Apes, Spooks), Grammy Award winning singer Ne-Yo (Battle Los Angeles), Michael B Jordan (Chronicle), Leslie Odom Jr. (Smash), Andre Royo (The Wire), Tristan Wilds (The Wire), Bryan Cranston (Drive, Breaking Bad) and the Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man (The Wire).

The Trials of a Christian Film Maker

Julian Tewkesbury is a graphic designer, computer animator and Premier listener living in North Devon. He is married with two children and has a passion for presenting the truth of the Gospel in the mainstream media, in a way that is accessible to everyone, especially children.

Premier caught up with him to find out about his latest project and what role his Christian faith has had to play in getting him started in film making.

I Will Tell International Film Festival

 The I Will Tell International Film Festival is a radical independent film festival that focuses on telling stories from around the world and changing lives.

This year the festival kicks off on 30 August at the Coronet cinema Notting Hill and runs for 11 nights with dramas, documentaries, features, shorts, animations, comedy and much more plus post-screening discussions with the filmmakers and Christian experts.

Premier Film & Entertainment is delighted to give you a taster of what's to come. Kina Sky directed by Coretta Singer won the Director's Heart in 2011 and will be screened again in the animation shorts category as part of this year's theme Live Your Dream.

For more information on the festival and for sneak peeks at the films coming up in 2012 click here.

Live Your Dream!

Film Reviews

Simon Carver is a Baptist Minister in St Albans. His interest in films is inherited from his father who took him to the cinema to see Zulu when he was a boy. Simon continues to enjoy a wide range of genres and seeing ideas about faith in mainstream films. He submitted a chapter on the themes of Faith, Fatherhood and the Future in Terminator 2 in Flickering Images.

Every month Simon joins the Inspirational Breakfast team to give the lowdown on the latest flicks to hit the big screen - plus the faith themes he's uncovered beneath the Hollywood storylines.

THEATRE

BRAND NEW 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - LIVE!' trailer

Premier recently took a group of listeners and church leaders to a special preview performance of the AMAZING live theatre production of C.S. Lewis' classic. The feedback from all who went was overwhelmingly positive! Premier's own Lizzie Crow also went to see the show recently and you can read her review here.

MUSIC

Coco Dupree

Ms Coco Dupree is a sensational songstress with an electrifying passion for the art. Her passion for her craft can be felt through her music. Experiences, lessons, joy, pain and tears have influenced Ms. Dupree's artistic edge, thereby moulding her into the minister that she is today. Last year she released her debut album 'Fall & Rise' which was critically acclaimed. Her sound is a mixture of different genres that has played a significant role in sculpting this artist into a versatile music maestro. Find out more here.

CONCERTS

Sunday Night Live & Unsigned

Come and enjoy a fantastic FREE evening of live entertainment with a twist of faith, hosted by Premier's 'Unsigned' Presenter, Loretta Fenton. Listen to tracks from great up-and-coming Christian artists whilst relaxing in a comfy chair with a fresh coffee in your hand.

This is a great opportunity to bring your non Christian friends, so make sure you don't miss a fun and free night out! No booking required, just turn up, relax and enjoy.

We will be holding these events on the last Sunday of every month, so keep an eye out for further details.

Entry is free but you will need to buy your own coffee!

LET US KNOW

We would love to hear about any good productions happening where you are so let us know about them. If you have seen a film or theatre production that has moved you and you would like to submit a review then email webteam@premier.org.uk.