Woody film festival gets off to an hilarious start (From Oxford Mail)

Woody film festival gets off to an hilarious start

10:40am Monday 14th May 2012 in Oxford

THE Oxford Mail’s week-long celebration of the films of Woody Allen began last night, with the audience laughing along to one of the director’s classic comedies.

Cinema-goers descended on Jericho’s Phoenix Picturehouse for a screening of 1972’s Play It Again Sam.

It is The Oxford Mail’s sixth film festival with previous years celebrating the work of directors including Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick.

Among those supporting the festival is the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Elise Benjamin, who said: “As a long time Woody Allen fan, I welcome the opportunity this film festival brings to allow more people to enjoy his great work.”

Euton Daley, artistic director of East Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre, said: “It’s great to know that after six years the festival is still flourishing – long may it continue!”

New Theatre general manager Jamie Baskeyfield also backed the festival, saying: “What a brilliant opportunity for the people of Oxford to enjoy this sublime collection of unique films, back on the big screen.”

Oxford Mail entertainments editor Jeremy Smith: “For a first night, it was a fantastic turn-out. It was great to screen a film where everybody laughed, from start to finish.”

Other showings are: Monday: Love and Death; Tuesday: Annie Hall; Wednesday: Bananas; Thursday: Hannah & Her Sisters and Friday: Manhattan.

All start at 8.45pm and tickets are half-price for anyone with a copy of that day’s Oxford Mail.

For information call the Phoenix, in Walton Street, on 01865 316570.

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