ONE of the world’s most celebrated and controversial directors will be the focus of the fourth Oxford Mail Film Festival next week.

The Phoenix Picturehouse cinema, in Walton Street, Oxford,will screen six of Stanley Kubrick’s most influential movies, including A Clockwork Orange and The Shining, from May 9-14.

And Oxford Mail readers can claim half-price tickets to all the films if they buy a copy of that day’s paper.

Jeremy Smith, entertainment editor of the Oxford Mail, said: “This genuinely is a must for anyone who loves film.

“Kubrick is unlike any other director, alive or dead. His films remain timeless.

“Each of his works get into the audience’s minds and are truly original, distinct, chilling and, above all, entertaining. Yet they are also blockbusters with mass audience appeal.”

Kubrick’s films were mired in controversy, with campaigners accusing him of glorifying graphic violence, rape, and paedophilia.

A Clockwork Orange, which featured a gang performing “ultra-violence” to the music of Beethoven, was withdrawn by Kubrick in 1972 amid claims it was inspiring copycat attacks.

It was finally shown on British television in 2001.

Mr Smith added: “A Clockwork Orange came up at exactly the right part of British history when there was football violence. It conveyed the grim, dark reality of the time.”

He added: “The festival itself is all about showcasing great, entertaining films and the wonderful thing about Kubrick’s works is that they are all that and more.

“If you have never seen one of his films before then any one of these screenings will turn you into a fan.”

Phoenix manager Suzy Sheriff said: “This is our most ambitious festival so far, and we have gone to great lengths to secure the screening rights to each of these films.

“Each of these films is viewed, quite rightly, as iconic.

“It is almost impossible to quantify to what degree cinema, as both an art form and popular entertainment, has been influenced by Kubrick.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk

Don’t miss The Guide in Thursday’s Oxford Mail for a two’page preview of the festival For further information on the festival, call the Phoenix on 01865 316570. Tickets are on sale now.

WHAT'S ON

The festival includes The Shining, 18, (May 9); Dr Strangelove, PG, (May 10); 2001: A Space Odyssey, 12, (May 11); Paths of Glory, PG, (May 12); A Clockwork Orange, 18, (May 13); and Lolita, 15, (May 14), and three will be screened as new digital prints.

Each of the films will be screened twice a day, at 1pm and 8.30pm.