Mike Leigh Shorts Program

Enjoy a rare big screen presentation of two shorts films from seven-time Oscar-nominated director Mike Leigh!

A Sense of History
Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent (Iris) wrote and starred in this short film directed by Mike Leigh, continuing their cinematic partnership which has included such feature films as Life is Sweet, Secrets & Lies, and Topsy-Turvy. As a member of the landed gentry, the 23rd Earl of Leete has a duty to maintain and expand his lands. Shot in the style and manner of a BBC documentary, Broadbent tells his family history to the crew, who slowly come to realize – as do we – that things are not what they seem.  Also starring Stephen Bill, Belinda Bradley, and Edward Bradley. (Dir. by Mike Leigh, 1992, UK, 28 mins., Not Rated)

A Running Jump
A young man named Gary tries to buy a second-hand car in London’s East End, turning a routine errand into a chaotic quest involving an incompetent, frantic car dealer named Perry, Perry’s taxi-driver father, his fitness-instructor wife Debbie, a pair of twins, and a local garage owner. Starring Eddie Marsan, Sam Kelly, Samantha Spiro, Lee Ingleby, and Nichole Bird. This comedy short was commissioned as part of the Cultural Olympiad for the London 2012 Olympic Games.  (Dir. by Mike Leigh, 2012, UK, 34 mins., Not Rated)

(Total program running time: 62 mins.)