Notes on the film selection process
In general terms, we are a FILM SOCIETY and so anything is fair game. In reality, however, we do respect our demographics and, whilst The Human Centipede might play a late night at Cambridge, it’s not really for us. Also, we do usually filter out the mainstream films (Potter, Bond etc) and those that have had strong first runs at local cinemas. Nor do we, as a rule, programme the older classics – membership has exceeded all expectations since we took the decision to focus on recent releases. Then.....
To conclude, the questionnaire is used and is important (whilst recognising that its format and style are not without flaws), but your committee has an overarching responsibility with regard to the final selection.
In general terms, we are a FILM SOCIETY and so anything is fair game. In reality, however, we do respect our demographics and, whilst The Human Centipede might play a late night at Cambridge, it’s not really for us. Also, we do usually filter out the mainstream films (Potter, Bond etc) and those that have had strong first runs at local cinemas. Nor do we, as a rule, programme the older classics – membership has exceeded all expectations since we took the decision to focus on recent releases. Then.....
- As Booking Officer, David monitors UK releases all year round. July to February releases make up the members’ questionnaire. This is an important part of the process and the results are collated carefully. However, the committee does not consider it to be binding on all decisions and it has never been used to provide all the titles. Why not? Well, a brand new title might subsequently garner poor reviews, the top six choices might all be French, or American, or war films and so the season might be unbalanced or repetitive.
- Committee members try and attend regional viewing sessions and we also welcome word of mouth feedback from members who have seen something in London, Paris or the States, for example. We try and see some of the borderline cases on DVD or distributor screeners.
- Suitable releases between March and June/July are then added to the questionnaire titles and the long list of up to 60 films goes on to a large spreadsheet with ratings etc.
- These sheets, plus reading materials and reviews are then distributed to committee members.
- We make the final stage as scientific as possible. There are two planning meetings. At the first, the committee goes through all 60 titles identifying the shortlist certainties and the ones we can dismiss (this is where the questionnaire comes into play and it is just as valuable in showing us the least popular titles). This reduces the number of films to about twenty.
- At the second meeting, a week later, the committee deliberates! The remaining titles and other details e.g. French romantic comedy, have been put on index cards. This helps to achieve a good balance and we can also vary the running order for a ‘best fit’. It is normal to agonize over the last couple of choices, but blood is most certainly not spilt and we end up with 13 titles and about 4 reserves. Easy! Unless the film has not been released after all, or, for budgetary reasons, the distributor has either not released it in digital format at all, or has quickly used the hard drive to store another title....
To conclude, the questionnaire is used and is important (whilst recognising that its format and style are not without flaws), but your committee has an overarching responsibility with regard to the final selection.
Looking back to previous seasons
Date / Title / Approx. Audience / Reaction:
Early 2022
A half-season, recovering from the pandemic
Jan 9th - Official Secrets - 77 - 96%
Jan 23rd - Portrait of a Lady on Fire* - 71 - 71%
Feb 6th - Minari - 76 - 80%
Feb 20th - Capernaum* - 76 - 92%
Mar 6th - Parasite* - 66 - 75%
Mar 20th - Limbo - 78 - 76%
Date / Title / Approx. Audience / Reaction:
2019-20:
22 Sep The Wife 130 84%
6 Oct Cold War * 130 82%
20 Oct Leave No Trace 150 83%
3 Nov Shoplifters * 145 79%
17 Nov BlacKkKlansman 145 90%
8 Dec Woman at War * 145 90%
15 Dec The Bookshop 135 76%
2020:
5 Jan The 12th Man * 120 95%
19 Jan Old Boys 135 81%
2 Feb Can You Ever Forgive Me? 145 79%
16 Feb C'est la Vie * 130 85%
1 Mar A Private War 145 92%
15 Mar Wild Rose 95 85%
2019-20:
22 Sep The Wife 130 84%
6 Oct Cold War * 130 82%
20 Oct Leave No Trace 150 83%
3 Nov Shoplifters * 145 79%
17 Nov BlacKkKlansman 145 90%
8 Dec Woman at War * 145 90%
15 Dec The Bookshop 135 76%
2020:
5 Jan The 12th Man * 120 95%
19 Jan Old Boys 135 81%
2 Feb Can You Ever Forgive Me? 145 79%
16 Feb C'est la Vie * 130 85%
1 Mar A Private War 145 92%
15 Mar Wild Rose 95 85%
2018-19
Date / Title / Approx. Audience / Reaction:
2018
23 Sept The Post 130 90%
7 Oct Jour de Fete* / One Week 120 73%/83%
21 Oct The Death of Stalin 130 79%
4 Nov Three Billboards ... 130 90.4%
18 Nov Bastards* 140 75%
2 Dec The Shape of Water 130 88%
9 Dec Lean on Pete 130 72%
2019
6 Jan The Nile Hilton Incident* 130 75%
20 Jan Loving Vincent* 120 90.7%
3 Feb Maudie 140 96%
17 Feb Phantom Thread 130 72%
3 March Custody* 110 82%
17 March Lady Bird 120 76%
2018
23 Sept The Post 130 90%
7 Oct Jour de Fete* / One Week 120 73%/83%
21 Oct The Death of Stalin 130 79%
4 Nov Three Billboards ... 130 90.4%
18 Nov Bastards* 140 75%
2 Dec The Shape of Water 130 88%
9 Dec Lean on Pete 130 72%
2019
6 Jan The Nile Hilton Incident* 130 75%
20 Jan Loving Vincent* 120 90.7%
3 Feb Maudie 140 96%
17 Feb Phantom Thread 130 72%
3 March Custody* 110 82%
17 March Lady Bird 120 76%
2017-18
|
I, Daniel Blake Julieta* Jackie The Fencer* Denial A Quiet Passion Queen of Katwe Lady Macbeth The Olive Tree* Miss Sloane The Hunt for the Wilderpeople Frantz* Their Finest |
Audience (approx)
120 130 100 150 150 140 140 150 155 135 145 120 85 |
Reaction
94.5% 80% 65% 94.6% 88% 57% 88% 66% 87% 81% 92% 84% 91% |
2016-17
|
Brooklyn Marshland 99 Homes Theeb La Famille Bélier Sicario Trumbo Son of Saul Sing Street Eye in the Sky Rams The Dressmaker The Crow’s Egg |
Audience (approx)
140 100 150 130 185 150 130 90 150 130 130 130 130 |
Reaction
89% 79% 80% 80% 94.1% 69% 93.9% 76% 88% 93% 73% 85% 79% |