On Sunday 17 April the classic cycling movie, Belleville Rendez-Vous, is being shown in the surroundings of a 1948 Olympic venue. The cinema will be bike-powered, courtesy of Electric Pedals with volunteers needed to keep the film going!
Before the film, 6 – 8.30pm, the Herne Hill Velodrome management has said the track will be open for a free open session (provided the track is dry). If you are aged 8+, simply bring your bike and ride around a London Olympic venue.
This is an outdoor event so bring whatever you need to stay warm and dry. The film will go ahead rain or shine (though the track will only be open for cycling if dry). Refreshments will be on sale.
Belleville Rendez-Vous is a delightful, witty animation for all ages. It tells the story of Madame Souza, who prepares her orphaned grandson, Champion, to be a world-beating cyclist. During the mountain stage of the Tour de France, Champion is kidnapped by the French mafia and whisked across the Atlantic to the city of Belleville. Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters, an aged song-and-dance team, to rescue him.
“This impressively inventive French animated feature from comic-book artist Sylvain Chomet is far too entertaining to be enjoyed only by children. A single viewing can barely do justice to this richly detailed and often playfully macabre adventure.” BBCi
“Moving, funny, totally cinematic and graced with moments of genius… unique.” Empire
Presented by Herne Hill Velodrome, Burbage Road, Herne Hill, SE24 9HE in association with Electric Pedals, Hackney Bicycle Film Society, Free Film Festivals and Save the Velodrome.
Sylvain Chomet / France 2003 / 80mins / Cert 12
8.30 start
