POP UP CINEMA BRIGHTON

DONNIE DARKO
 25TH ANNIVERSARY
 4K RESTORATION

DIRECTOR: Richard Kelly​

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STARRING: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, Beth Grant, James Duval, Holmes Osborne, and Seth Rogen.​

** See Donnie Darko in conjunction with Richard Kelly's follow up film Southland Tales which is screening in it's notorious 'Cannes Cut' on December 2nd by getting discounted the Richard Kelly Double Ticket. For more on Southland Tales go HERE **

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It’s been 25 years since Richard Kelly’s directorial debut, Donnie Darko, opened in cinemas in the wake of 9/11, finding itself in the wrong place at the wrong time, only to steadily build a global following over the next decade and firmly cement its place as the key cult classic of its era. Still as potent as ever 25 years on, the hypnotic, poetic, nostalgic and yet joyously fresh sensibility of this miracle of a film remains firmly intact.

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Set in the suburbs of Virginia in the late 1980s, Donnie is an awkward and troubled teenager who survives a freak accident, only to find himself having visions of a six-foot-tall bunny rabbit named Frank, who informs him that the world will soon end. As Donnie tries to unravel the mystery, a high-school bully, time tunnels, Halloween parties, a mysterious elderly neighbour and a burgeoning friendship with fellow troubled teen Gretchen all complicate matters.

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The near-perfect atmosphere of the film, with its beautifully created rhythm and stylish storytelling, grabs you right from the off and never lets you go. The film features an outstanding ensemble cast, including a star-making role for Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie (alongside his real-life sister Maggie as his on-screen sibling), as well as Katherine Ross (The Graduate), Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing), Drew Barrymore (E.T.), Noah Wyle (The Pitt), James Duval (known for his work with Gregg Araki), and even Seth Rogen in his film debut. The film also boasts a brilliantly appointed soundtrack (which won’t make you doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion for one second), which even spawned a UK Christmas No. 1 in the shape of Gary Jules’ haunting Tears for Fears cover of “Mad World.”

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The first cult film of the 21st century, Donnie Darko is a perfectly formed mini-masterpiece that allows itself to be funny, sincere, mind-bending, compassionate, melancholy, ethereal and outrageously cool all at the same time. Set during the Halloween period, the film’s eerie vibes provide the perfect viewing for this year’s final spooky special on Thursday, October 29th.

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See this enduring favourite on the big screen in its 4K remaster for its 25th anniversary during Halloween week.​