Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema to Host Thrilling Season of Action Films

[SheffieldForum]

 

Starting on 1 November, Showroom Cinema will offer film enthusiasts in Sheffield a chance to experience the thrilling world of action cinema through the ART OF ACTION season. Supported by BFI National Lottery funding, the season celebrates the evolution of the action genre, its daring stunts, and its lasting impact on the film industry. The programme includes a wide range of films spanning from early cinema to modern-day action classics.

What to Expect

The ART OF ACTION season at Showroom Cinema will feature a variety of events and screenings, offering something for every action film fan. Key highlights include:

Safety Last! The Action Pioneers of Early Cinema (1-21 November)

This mini season showcases the pioneering stunt work of early cinema stars such as Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd, whose dangerous and daring performances set the foundation for action films. The programme, curated in collaboration with silent cinema expert Pamela Hutchinson, includes classics like Steamboat Bill, Jr., Wings, The General, and Safety Last!.

Showroom Classics: Action Through the Ages (8 November – 5 December)

This series traces the evolution of action films, from the swashbuckling adventures of Robin Hood to the high-octane thrills of Point Break. The line-up includes legendary films like The Adventures of Robin Hood, Seven Samurai, The Wild Bunch, and Point Break, demonstrating how the action genre has shaped cinema history.

Women in Modern Action Double Bill (15 November)

Curated by Film Girls Galore, this double bill celebrates the empowering roles of women in modern action films. Featuring Charlie’s Angels and Atomic Blonde, it offers a fun, dynamic look at how women have redefined the action genre in recent years.

Run for Your Life: Hunting Humans in the Action Film (1-15 December)

Introduced by film historian Dr Craig Ian Mann, this selection of films delves into the predator/prey dynamic, exploring how action cinema engages with issues of power, race, class, and gender. Titles include The Most Dangerous Game, Punishment Park, and Hard Target.

Ip Man + Martial Arts Demonstration (8 December)

A must-see for martial arts enthusiasts, this screening of Ip Man—the biopic of the martial arts master who mentored Bruce Lee—will be followed by a martial arts demonstration led by Matthew Laurie of Sheffield and Peak District Qigong and Wing Chun.

Bringing Action Cinema Back to the Big Screen

Ryan Finnigan, Head of Programming at Showroom Cinema, is excited to share this season with audiences:

"The action genre has been keeping audiences on the edge of their seats since the earliest days of cinema, and the ART OF ACTION season traces its influence throughout cinema history around the world. We're thrilled to bring these titles back to the big screen, to give our audience the chance to revisit the thrilling and entertaining spectacle of high-octane cinema, whilst also encouraging them to explore and rethink the genre as a pioneering and progressive art form."

 

For more information or to book tickets, visit the Showroom Cinema website at www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/artofactionseason.