June / July 2021 – recommended film and TV releases

With the summer months upon us, it’s time to get ready for a season filled with exciting new film and TV releases. We’ve rounded up the most anticipated titles for June and July, so you don’t have to miss a thing.

With cinemas open again and lockdown relaxing it’s a great time to get out there and enjoy some films and festivals. Additionally there is plenty to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. So grab some snacks, get comfortable, and get ready for a season of unforgettable entertainment.

Film Festivals

First up there are a host of new film festivals in London the next two months that will open your eyes to a host of great new movies, go check them.

Black Lens Film Festival

In partnership with Black Cultural Archives, the Black Lens Film Festival 2021, which celebrates new Black filmmaking talent with screenings and events

The full programme is coming soon. It includes the anticipated UK premiere of How to Stop a Recurring Dream + Q&A with director Ed Morris and actor Ruby Barker.

It tells the story of family tensions become a battlefield in this high-octane thriller about a young woman who abducts her younger sister in the face of an imminent family break-up.

From 16 July

Chinese Visual Festival

The 10th Chinese Visual Festival will be held in London 15 – 25 July at BFI Southbank and Genesis Cinema, with an online programme at King’s College London. The UK’s only festival dedicated to the cinema of the Chinese language speaking world, this year’s event sees a highly anticipated return to in-person screenings for CVF, giving audiences the chance to catch a carefully curated selection of fantastic films on the big screen where they belong.

15 July to 25 July – full programme and tickets available at http://chinesevisualfestival.org/chinese-visual-festival-2021/2021-programme/

Doc’n Roll Film Festival

If you love a music documentary then this one is for you. Doc’n Roll Film Festival is dedicated to music subcultures by providing a unique platform to support the wealth of creative, compelling and unforgettable documentaries that celebrate the performers, labels, scenes and stories. Films are being screened at The Castle, The Rio and The Genesis cinemas

9 June to 22 July. The full programme can be found here https://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/

London Migration Film Festival

The LMFF is back with stories of people that for one reason or the other moved, or who carry movement in their blood, bones, souls and dreams.

The programme will be divided into three parts: in person events (all held at Genesis Cinema), online events (available anywhere the internet exists) and an online programme

Highlights include a screening with Q&A of Stateless (Apátrida), Jaguar with a Q&A and a panel discussion on the impact of streaming on migration cinema

17 June to 23 June. Tickets are available at https://www.migrationcollective.com/london-migration-film-festival

London Short Film Festival

The festival originally ran in January but many of the screenings were cancelled due to the pandemic. They are now showing these for the world to see on the big screen at the BFI Southbank

23 June to 30 June at the BFI Southbank. The full programme can be found here 

Windrush Film Festival

The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (WCFF) aims to engage and educate audiences in cinemas and art venues across the UK about the contributions of the Windrush generation and its impact on the country through screenings, talkbacks and micro-cinema challenge that will take place in cinemas, schools and community centres across the country.

WCFF will include films whose themes are centered around racism, colonialism, immigration, and cultural contributions, with the goal of airing, discussing and celebrating this iconic generation.

The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival will have a programme of film screenings at the Ritzy on Windrush Square, Brixton. Full program coming soon.

22 June to 29 August. Programme and tickets will be available at https://windrushfilmfestival.com/

Cinema releases

Cinemas are back open and its time to get out there and support your local and see some movies. Alongside the summer blockbusters that are beginning to return here are some lesser known films that we think you should check out over the next 2 months.

Censor

This British horror had everyone at Sundance talking. Censor tells the story of Enid, a film censor, who after viewing a strangely familiar video nasty, sets out to solve the past mystery of her sister’s disappearance, embarking on a quest that dissolves the line between fiction and reality. The film is the directorial debut of Prano Bailey-Bond

The film is screening with a director Q&A at the BFI on 2 July and on general release in August. Expect an episode on this one in due course

Deliver Us From Evil

This Korean action thriller tells the story of an assassin goes to Thailand in order to solve a kidnapping case linked to him, and finds himself chased by a man whose sibling he killed. This gritty action thriller directed by Hong Won-Chan and starring Hwang Jung-min, Lee Jung-jae, and Park Jeong-min is a rollercoaster of tension and explosive action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This movie is being shown as a preview for October’s London Korean Film Festival

24 June at The Genesis Cinema

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train

Don’t get on this if you haven’t seen the anime series. This film is the direct sequel to the cliffhanger of the first season.

This film has been a critical success overseas and was actually the highest grossing movie in the world in 2020, if you’re a fan of the anime you have to get on this and see it in IMAX. If you haven’t seen the anime get on it now before this is no longer in the cinema.

The Green Knight

Finally this is dropping. Delayed by the pandemic its finally getting a cinema release. This fantasy adventure based on the Arthurian legend, tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s headstrong nephew, who embarks on a quest to confront the eponymous Knight, a gigantic tree-like creature.

Its on film I’m definitely glad isn’t coming straight to VOD – it will be a visual treat.

Released 31 July

In The Earth

Ben Wheatley is back to the ideals that mad him famous with films like Kill List and for me it’s a welcome return, in his new low budget horror that was conceived and filmed during lockdown. In The Earth tells the story of a world searches for a cure to a devastating virus, a scientist and a park scout venture deep into the woods. As night falls, their journey becomes a terrifying voyage through the heart of darkness as the forest comes to life around them.

Expect psychedelic folk horror at its best. We’re really looking forward to this.

Released 17 June

Last Man Standing: Suge Knight and the Murders of Biggie & Tupac

Presenting new material and evidence never heard before, this is the definitive story of Suge Knight, the former CEO of legendary rap music label Death Row Records, and the murders of Biggie & Tupac.

Last Man Standing: Suge Knight and the Murders of Biggie & Tupac takes a look at Death Row and how L.A.’s street gang culture had come to dominate its business workings as well as an association with corrupt LA police officers who were also gang affiliated. It would be this world of gang rivalry and dirty cops that would claim the lives of the world’s two greatest rappers, Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. People have only now started talking since Suge commenced his 28-year sentence and the film comes up with new evidence showing the involvement of the LAPD in these murders and their attempt to conceal evidence.

Look out for the premiere screenings on 30 June with pre-recorded Q&A with director Nick Broomfield hosted by DJ and Presenter Trevor Nelson with full release coming 2 July

Night of the Kings

This favourite from the festival season was also Ivory Coast’s official entry for The Oscars. Night of the Kings tells the story of young man is sent to “La Maca,” a prison in the middle of the Ivorian forest ruled by its inmates. As tradition goes with the rising of the red moon, he is designated by the Boss to be the new “Roman” and must tell a story to the other prisoners. Learning what fate awaits him, he begins to narrate the mystical life of the legendary outlaw named “Zama King” and has no choice but to make his story last until dawn. Expect reality and fantasy to melt in this allegorical tale.

Nobody

From the director of Hardcore Henry, Ilya Naishuller, and starring the talented Bob Odenkirk, Nobody is an adrenaline-fueled action thriller. The story follows a seemingly average man who intervenes in a public transit altercation, only to find himself targeted by a dangerous drug lord. With his family’s safety on the line, our hero unleashes his deadly skills to fight back against the ruthless criminal underworld. Get ready for 90 minutes of non-stop action and heart-pounding excitement!

Released June 10

Possession (1981)

Possession has to be one of the underrated horror/divorce dramas ever made. Zuławski’s one-of-a-kind genre pastiche has spy Sam Neill returning to his Berlin home from a mission abroad to discover that wife Isabelle Adjani wants suddenly to split up. Launching an investigation into the reasons for her ever-more-alarming behavior, he discovers a truth more sinister (and nauseating) than his wildest suspicions, as Zuławski’s highly-choreographed cinematic delirium and Andrzej Korzyński’s pulsating score push things light years past over-the-top. Branded a video nasty on its release in 1981 it has since reached cult status and its influence on other horror movies that have come after its is really evident. This screening is by Deeper By Movies at Oslo in Hackney. If you haven’t seen this film I highly recommend getting on this.

11 July. Tickets are available – https://dice.fm/event/mmp9v-possession-film-screening-11th-jul-oslo-london-tickets

The Return: Life after ISIS

Shamima Begum and Hoda Muthana made headlines around the world when they travelled to Syria as teenagers to join ISIS.

Now, they are living in a camp in Syria, amongst a group of Western women who all devoted their young lives to ISIS, endured hardship and horrors, and who now want to return to their countries of origin. But their countries do not want them back.

Generally reviled by a hostile media around the world, these women have given unique access to director Alba Sotorra, speaking candidly about what attracted them to ISIS, the traumas they faced and their fears and hopes for the future.

A lot has been said about and on behalf of these women, who find themselves in the eye of a deeply divisive storm; In The Return, they get to speak for themselves.

this special screening will be followed by an ‘on screen’ conversation between the director of The Return, Alba Sotorra Clua, and Maya Foa, the director of Reprieve, a legal charity that works against grave human rights abuses.

20 June at Betha DocHouse – https://dochouse.org/cinema/screenings/return-life-after-isis-zoom-qa

Summer of Soul

Over the course of six weeks during the summer of 1969, thousands of people attend the Harlem Cultural Festival to celebrate Black history, culture, music and fashion. Despite having a large attendance and performers such as Stevie Wonder, The 5th Dimension, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Sly and the Family Stone, the festival was seen as obscure in pop culture, something that the documentarians investigate. Directed by Questlove this film shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present

Released 16 July

TV / Streaming Content

If you don’t want to leave the house we’ve got you with a whole lot of new TV and streaming content. Netflix dominates the selection this month.

Black Summer

This zombie drama is a creeper. It tells the story of strangers who band together in the wake of the zombie apocalypse. It focuses as much if not more on the people rather than the zombie scares which makes it unique. It has returned for a second season. It’s quite unique in the fact that you don’t really get a backstory into each of the characters, they (and you with them) are thrown into the zombie apocalypse and with that any character can get it at any time. Its filmed in a style with one camera across each episode and cuts to give the feel of one take in real time that really puts you in the story.

Streaming on Netflix from June 17

Blood Red Sky

A woman with a mysterious illness is forced into action when a group of terrorists attempt to hijack a transatlantic overnight flight. In order to protect her son she will have to reveal a dark secret, and unleash the inner monster she has fought to hide. Forget Snakes on a Plane this one is vampires on a plane. I can’t wait for this to drop but wish I had seen the film blind without watching the trailer. Either way this German / British co-production looks great.

Streaming on Netflix from July 24

Bosch

Bosch has to be one of the most consistent cop dramas of the more recent years. It is an American police procedural streaming television series produced by Amazon Studios and Fabrik Entertainment starring Titus Welliver as Los Angeles Police detective Harry Bosch. It has now reached its 7th and final season and it’s been quite the ride. Considering how few streamer originals reach this many seasons you know it’s a good one. I’ll miss this show when it’s all over.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video from June 25

Classic Horror Story

In this gruesome suspense film, strangers traveling in southern Italy become stranded in the woods, where they must fight desperately to get out alive. This is like Midsommar meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Cabin In The Woods, but I feels like there will be something more to this movie and really looks forward to checking it out.

Streaming on Netflix July 14

Katla

One year after the violent eruption of the subglacial volcano Katla, the peace and tranquility in the small town of Vik is dramatically disturbed. This slow burn Icelandic scifi drama tell the story the people of this town when the dead start returning. The backdrop of the erupting volcano and the ash covered deserted gives an almost apocalyptic feel to this scifi drama with elements of folklore. If you love your slow reveal atmospheric stories this is for you.

Streaming on Netflix from June 17

Gunpowder Milkshake

If you’re into movies like John Wick and Nobody then this is for you. To protect an 8-year-old girl, a dangerous assassin (played by Karen Miller) reunites with her mother and her lethal associates to take down a ruthless crime syndicate and its army of henchmen. Lena Headey, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino, and Paul Giamatti fill out the cast. I’m really looking forward to this.

Streaming of Netflix from July 14

Loki

Disney Plus have been killing it on the Marvel TV game with big hits like WandaVision and Falcon and Winter Soldier. They are now here with the 3rd of the their MCU TV shows Loki. The mercurial villain Loki resumes his role as the God of Mischief in a new series that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.

Streaming on Disney Plus from June 9

Snabba Cash

Based on the trilogy of movies of the same name. This Swedish Netflix series tell the tale of Leya, an aspiring tech entrepreneur is looking for an investor to fund her start-up, TargetCoach. Finally, she meets an investor named Tomas Storm, but before he can invest in her company, Leya is required to pay off the previous investors. She acquires a loan from her drug trafficker brother-in-law and uses the drug money to pay off her investors. A step in the criminal world tangles her in the web of brutality and ruthlessness until she finds her way out.

Streaming now on Netflix

Startup

This is one of my favorite shows from the last decade and its now finally hit Netflix and Amazon for all to see. A desperate banker, a Haitian-American gang lord and a Cuban-American hacker are forced to work together to unwittingly create their version of the American dream – organized crime 2.0. It definitely has a similar feel to Snabba Cash in some ways and comes highly recommended.

Streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime video

Trese

Trese is a Filipino komik series written by Budjette Tan and illustrated by Kajo Baldisimo. It tells the story of Alexandra Trese, a detective who deals with crimes of supernatural origin. It has now been turned into a Netflix Original Anime and looks amazing. Expect a lot of tradition Filipino folklore weaved into this anime horror.

On Netflix from June 10

That’s all for this month from us. Also look out for the first 6 episodes of Snacks Not Included also dropping in July.

Be sure to check out the previous months versions of this article. Whist the date has past there are still some great TV and film recommendations in there:

January 2021

September 2020

June 2020