The National Gallery of London is one of the world’s greatest art galleries. It is full of masterpieces, an endless resource of history, an endless source of stories. But whose stories are told? Which art has the most impact and on whom? The power of great art lies in its ability to communicate with anyone, no matter their art historical knowledge, their background, their beliefs.

This film gives voice to those who work at the gallery – from cleaner to curator, security guard to director – who identify the one artwork that means the most to them and why. An assortment of people from all walks of life who have a strong connection to the gallery make surprising choices of both well-known and lesser-known artworks. Finally, some well-known celebrities explain what they head for when they visit the gallery.

These stories are used as a lens through which to explore the 200-year history of the National Gallery and what the future may hold for this spectacular space.

Everyone in this film has a special connection to the National Gallery, making for some heart-warming, moving and surprising stories.

Beloved celebrities, devoted staff members and world class experts come together to paint a unique portrait of this iconic British institution for its 200th birthday.

Billy Connolly is at the peak of his powers in this newly restored and rediscovered film.

Capturing 'The Big Yin' on and off stage during his 1975 tour of Ireland, Big Banana Feet is a captivating record of Connolly on the cusp of international stardom.

Inspired by the fly-on-the-wall style of DA Pennebaker's Bob Dylan documentary Dont Look Back, director Murray Grigor and cinematographer David Peat present Connolly at his beguiling best, using humour and charm to successfully navigate the political tensions of 1970s Dublin and Belfast.

Featuring iconic stand-up material alongside fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses, this previously elusive milestone of British comedy is now newly restored in 2K (from original 16mm materials), reaffirming the genius that has endeared Connolly to generations of fans.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita,

Capturing a year in the life of a rural, lakeside community in 1980s Ireland, That They May Face The Rising Sun is a sensitive and beautifully realised adaptation of the last novel by John McGahern. It’s directed by Pat Collins, who (in addition to more recent films like The Dance and Song of Granite) previously made a 2005 documentary about McGahern’s life and work.

Joe (Barry Ward) and Kate (Anna Bederke) have returned from London to live and work in a small, close-knit community in rural Ireland, close to where Joe grew up. He’s a writer, she’s an artist and photographer who retains part ownership of a London gallery. Now embedded in a remote lakeside setting, the drama of a year in their lives and those of their neighbours unfolds through the rituals of work, play and the passing seasons.

Collins has crafted a delicate, meditative exploration of ritual, community bonds, and the question of how best to live. A quietly stunning adaptation of a book by a writer concerned with the ways Irish lives were changing and modernising in the 20th century, with gorgeous scenery filmed on the shore of Loch Na Fooey in County Galway.

A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, BACK TO BLACK tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, BACK TO BLACK honours Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent. Featuring many of Amy’s hit songs recorded and performed in the film by Marisa Abela, BACK TO BLACK is made with the full support of Universal Music Group and SONY Music Publishing.

Returning for its 25th Anniversary!

After the Oscar-winning The English Patient, writer/director Anthony Minghella attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley, which features heartthrob Matt Damon cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer.

Tom Ripley (Damon) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid-'50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist, though his real skill is in impersonating other people, forging handwriting, and running second-rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student, Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), who has traveled to the coast of Italy, where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1,000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends, Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time, he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley, so rather than go back to his life of poverty, Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity.

The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as Purple Noon, with Alain Delon as Ripley.

The poet Andrea Chénier attends a party at the Countess di Coigny's mansion. He expresses outrage at the corruption in King Louis XVI's government and the poverty of many Frenchmen. This moves the Countess's daughter Maddalena, and inspires the footman and revolutionary-in-the-making Carlo Gérard to quit his servitude. Soon after, the French Revolution begins.

Five years on, Louis XVI has been executed, the Jacobin party are in power, and their leader Robespierre has imposed 'The Terror'. Gérard has become a leading Jacobin, but Chénier has fallen out of favour with the authorities and is in danger. He delays his flight from Paris to meet a mysterious woman who has written to him. She reveals herself to be Maddalena, and the pair quickly realize they are in love. However, Gérard also desires Maddalena. When Chénier is arrested by the authorities, Gérard realizes that he has the power to destroy the man who once inspired him. As his conscience is tested, so too is the love of Andrea and Maddalena.

At a glittering party in 18th-century Paris, the poet Andréa Chenier delivers an impassioned denunciation of Louis XVI. Five years later, the Revolution has given way to the Terror, transforming the power balance between Chénier, his beloved Maddalena, and Gérard, the man who could destroy him...

Jonas Kaufmann headlines David McVicar’s spectacular staging, under the baton of long-time collaborator Antonio Pappano – who conducts Giordano’s epic historical drama of revolution and forbidden love in his last production as Music Director of The Royal Opera.

Cast: Jonas Kaufmann, Sondra Radvanovsky, Amartuvshin Enkhbat

Conductor: Antonio Pappano

Director: David McVicar

Swimming the English Channel is widely recognised to be one of the toughest long distance challenges. In 1927, a Brighton-born swimmer became the first British woman to achieve this goal and her fight for recognition is celebrated in this engaging new biopic.

Mercedes Gleitze faces challenges in and out of the water as she contends with the patriarchal attitudes of 1920s England. Her achievements are questioned when a rival, Edith Gade, claims that she has also completed the Channel swim.

After media attacks, Gleitze is forced to undertake another swim to safeguard her sporting reputation.

Screening as part of our PRIDE weekend

Natasha Lyonne is the bubbly, wide-eyed, all-American cheerleader whose pious parents (Bud Cort and John Waters regular Mink Stole), suspecting that she’s a lesbian, send her off to a conversion camp. Under the direction of Cathy Moriarty and her saved ex-gay assistant RuPaul Charles, the teens (including Melanie Lynskey) are forced to overcome their homosexual desires, then deconstruct their identities, performing tasks relegated as “feminine” (scrubbing floors) or “masculine” (chopping wood), donned in high-camp, monotone, cotton candy pink or blue, until they can identify the “root” of their homosexuality. But when Lyonne meets bad girl Clea DuVall, she is suddenly awakened to her own desire.

Screening as part of our PRIDE weekend

During a long hot summer in south London, Jamie is bunking off school more than usual, scurrying back to the TV and the flat in the Thamesmead estate where he lives with his mother Sandra. Whilst his neighbour Leah, who's been kicked out of school, spends her days listening to Mama Cass records.

In the same block is Jamie's sporty classmate Ste, whose home life is punctuated by the regular beatings he receives from both his father and brother. One night, in a bid to escape the violence, Ste takes refuge in Sandra's flat and sleeps head to toe with Jamie. As Sandra struggles with a job promotion and her relationship with her hippy boyfriend Tony, Jamie and Ste gradually discover their affection for each other.

‘Superb….must-see movie’ Daily Mirror

‘A warm and funny love story… refreshingly unsentimental’ The Village Voice

‘Untalented gays’ PJ and Josie start a fight club to get the attention of their long-time popular girl crushes under the guise of teaching girls self defence, showing that lesbians will do anything except ask a girl out. However the pair find themselves in too deep and must find a way to end the club before their secret plan comes out. The comedic duo of Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri is nothing short of perfect with hilarious one liners and deadpan humour, alongside a whole ensemble of memorable performances, such as Nicholas Galitzine who fully commits to his role as meathead jock Jeff and Ruby Cruz as the very endearing Hazel, who takes things a little too literally. There will no doubt be someone in this bunch of messy but charming characters who you will see yourself in. With brilliant writing and directing from Emma Seligman who seamlessly transitions between heartwarming, violent and comedic moments, and an original soundtrack from Charli XCX, this future camp classic is both incredibly current and gives in to early 2000’s high-school comedy nostalgia. So if you’re down for a fun time, get your popcorn ready! (It also gets bonus points for bringing back end credit bloopers).