The ‘Movie Connoisseurs’ event, exclusive to Cinema Nouveau, brings to those who appreciate and love the medium of film as it should be experienced – only on the big screen, an opportunity to watch a new title before its national release date.

Hosted by renowned movie critic, Ailsa Windsor, this month’s screening for ‘Movie Connoisseurs’ is the true story of Philomena, and takes place on Sunday, 16

March 2014, marking the first event for 2014. Screened at Cinema Nouveau Gateway, refreshments are served from 17:00, with the screening starting promptly at 17:30.

Philomena is an emotional story inspired by true events, tinged with both tragedy and comedy, about two very different people who join forces for a remarkable journey. They are seeking to uncover the truth behind a heartbreaking story that has remained a mystery for half a century.

Philomena Lee, an Irishwoman in her 70s, became pregnant as a teenager in 1952. Her family abandoned her for shame and sent her to a convent in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary where, along with other young girls in the same predicament, she was regarded as ‘a fallen woman.’ In compensation for the nuns taking her in and looking after her during childbirth, Philomena was made to work in the laundry there and only allowed access to her young son Anthony for an hour a day. When he was only three, Anthony was taken from the convent against her will; the nuns at Roscrea had agreed to sell him for adoption to an American family. Philomena spent the next 50 years trying to establish his whereabouts.

Through a lucky set of circumstances, she happened to meet Martin Sixsmith, an ex-BBC foreign correspondent and former director of communications for Tony Blair’s government. When Philomena tells Martin about her long search for her son, he realises that hers is a remarkable story. He arranges for the two of them to visit the United States to find out what happened to Anthony.

Philomena and Martin make an odd couple. She’s a plain speaker and a trusting soul who takes people at face value and keeps her feet planted firmly on the ground. Despite all the injustices she has suffered, she still retains her religious faith. In contrast, he is sophisticated and highly educated, a man at ease around important people and opulent locations; yet, having lost his job in politics and been publicly humiliated, he’s cynical and without religious conviction.

Together they embark on an extraordinary road trip. On the way they learn from each other, see a different point of view, and find reasons for laughter and joy in a quest that is at times underpinned by sadness.

These two contrasting real-life characters, Philomena Lee and Martin Sixsmith, are played by two actors at the very summit of their respective fields: the legendary Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench (Skyfall, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,Shakespeare in Love) and Steve Coogan (The Look of Love, 24 Hour Party People), one of Britain’s leading comics and creator of the legendary TV and radio ‘personality’ Alan Partridge.

Philomena, with a script by Coogan and Jeff Pope based on Sixsmith’s book, ”The Lost Child of Philomena Lee”, is directed by Stephen Frears, one of Britain’s most distinguished film-makers, twice Oscar-nominated and the director of such outstanding films as The Queen (starring Helen Mirren), High Fidelity, Dirty Pretty Things, Mrs Henderson Presents and Dangerous Liaisons. The film received four Oscar nominations at the 86^th Academy Awards, including those for Best Motion Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Dame Judi Dench.

Whether she is re-united with her son or not, you will have to see the film to find out. But, with a superb cast headed by Judi Dench and Steven Coogan, and directed by Stephen Frears, with a string of major hits under his director’s belt, Philomena is one of the best films of the year.

The screening of Philomena for ‘Movie Connoisseurs’ takes place from 17:00 on Sunday, 16 March at Cinema Nouveau Gateway in Durban. The screening starts at 17:30. Bookings are now open and standard ticket prices apply (including the discounts and benefits afforded to members of the SK Club, Discovery Vitality and Edgars Club loyalty programmes).

To book tickets and for more information, please visit: www.cinemanouveau.co.za| mobi-site: www.sterkinekor.mobi |Ticketline: 082 16789 (VAS rates apply) | Facebook: CinemaNouveau| Follow us on Twitter: @nouveaubuzz. Download theSK App for updates and to make bookings via your mobile phone.