September Odeon Films in English

This month at the Odeon, films in English include one that space exploration enthusiasts will be awestruck by: a must-see documentary tribute to one of mankind’s greatest achievements—Apollo 11.  Best seen on the large screen, old and young can experience man’s first visit to the moon in 1969.  In Late Night, TV fans can enjoy Emma Thompson playing a comedic role as a formidable talk show host who shakes up her writing team to achieve a comeback.  The month’s final offering returns to 1969 with Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood featuring an ensemble cast and delving into the cultural and artistic revolution of the late 1960s.  All films will be screened with Italian subtitles at Florence’s Odeon Cinema in piazza Strozzi.

September 9 (4:30, 6:30 & 9 pm), September 10 (4:30 pm) & September 11 (4 pm): APOLLO 11.  On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first man landing on the moon, viewers can today experience the tension, thrill and success of this historic accomplishment.  Director Todd Douglas Miller gained access to previously unseen archival footage and unheard audio recordings to craft thousands of hours of 70 mm film into a masterpiece.  Movie-goers see and hear voices of astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins as they prepare and execute the mission and hear Walter Cronkite’s voice in off-camera commentary.  A high energy electronic score completes this thrilling movie experience.

September 12 (4 pm) September 13, 14 & 15 (4:30, 6:30 & 9 pm):  LATE NIGHT.  Emma Thompson plays hard-edged and complicated late-night talk show host Kathryn Newbury, struggling with low ratings after 28 years on the show.  After accusations of being a ‘woman hater’ due to her all white male writing crew, she gives rookie female comedy writer Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling) a chance.  What happens next challenges Newbury’s stodgy and stale performance on the show. Directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by and co-starring Mindy Kaling, this film offers some of Thompson’s best screen work.

September 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 29 (5 and 9 pm), September 23 (5 pm) September 24 & 25 (9 pm), September 28 (9:15 pm) & September 30 (8:30 pm):  ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD.  Director Quentin Tarantino portrays 1969 Los Angeles as fading action star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double aide-de-camp Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) struggle to make it in the waning days of the Golden Age of Hollywood.  In an alternate story, Dalton’s neighbor, rising star actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), the dark days of the Manson murders is woven into the film. Retro fashions, period cars and music and old movie posters complete the scene revealing the late 60s’ changes in Hollywood and America.  (rita kungel)