This film is part of Rentals
This film is certified

- Infrequent strong language, moderate violence, references to drug misuse

Southside with You
This smart, sophisticated, Sundance-nominated romance follows the first date of a couple who would go on to change the world – Barack and Michelle Obama.
Biopic 2016 84 mins
Director: Richard Tanne
Overview
In the summer of 1989 a lawyer and her legal associate go on a first date, taking in an art gallery, a trip to the movies and a shared ice cream. Standard date-fare perhaps but this couple would go on to be one of the most powerful in the world, marking their own chapter in American history – Barack and Michelle Obama.
With a premise straight out of the romance-movie textbook, writer-director Richard Tanne has crafted a smart and sophisticated drama that offers much more than a meet-cute. Earning a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, it’s since gone on to achieve widespread critical acclaim. Recounting the couple’s real experiences as closely as possible, which includes a cinema screening of Spike Lee’s landmark race movie Do the Right Thing, Tanne’s script expertly portrays two modest figures starting out on a momentous journey, helped along by two uncanny performances from Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter. The result is a film with the same breezy charm and intellectual undertow as Richard Linklater’s ‘Before’ trilogy, blessed with the calm charisma we've come to associate with the real Obamas.

Accessibility
Related
Biopic

Rebel Dread Rebel Dread
Documentary 2020 83 mins Director: William E. Badgley
This is the story of the iconic Don Letts, the coolest cultural polymath – narrated by the man himself.

Judy Judy
Drama 2019 118 mins Director: Rupert Goold
Renée Zellweger pulls off a show-stopping performance with her BAFTA and Oscar®-winning portrayal of Judy Garland.

Nature of the Beast Nature of the Beast
Biopic 2017 96 mins Director: Daniel Draper
A suitably forthright profile of the evergreen socialist, trade unionist and Labour politician Dennis Skinner - also known as the Beast of Bolsover.

Dread Beat and Blood Dread Beat and Blood
Biopic 1979 44 mins Director: Franco Rosso
Vibrant documentary portrait of dub poet and activist Linton Kwesi Johnson, fighting racism with the spoken word on the streets of 1970s Brixton.

Tove Tove
Drama 2020 103 mins Director: Zaida Bergroth
A lyrical and romantic biopic of the beloved creator of the Moomins featuring an incredible central performance by Alma Pöysti.

Ammonite Ammonite
Biopic 2020 118 mins Director: Francis Lee
Francis Lee follows up God’s Own Country with a film that is every bit as immersive, tactile and emotionally powerful, aided by the devastatingly good Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan.
African Odysseys

Pili Pili
Drama 2018 81 mins Director: Leanne Welham
An HIV+ mother has a chance to turn her life around when she's offered a market stall, in Leanne Welham's extraordinary drama.

Rafiki Rafiki
Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.

Premature Premature
Drama 2019 90 mins Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green
Budding writer Ayanna’s life is transformed over the course of one hot Harlem summer, when a handsome and mysterious stranger walks into her life.

Farming Farming
Drama 2018 107 mins Director: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
A fostered Nigerian boy growing up in Essex loses all sense of identity and joins a racist skinhead gang. Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Oz, Lost) directs this powerful drama based on his own, extraordinary upbringing.

The Day Shall Come The Day Shall Come
Comedy 2018 88 mins Director: Christopher Morris
An impoverished Miami preacher is lured into terrorism by the FBI, in the latest explosive satire from comedy genius Chris Morris.

Talking about Trees Talking about Trees
Documentary 2019 94 mins Director: Suhaib Gasmelbari
Beautifully shot documentary about four members of the 'Sudanese Film Club' who decide to revive an old cinema.
Featuring Parker Sawyers

Monsoon Monsoon
Drama 2018 85 mins Director: Hong Khaou
Henry Golding shines in this gorgeous study of memory and legacy, a pleasing reflection on the endurance of both.

Monsters: Dark Continent Monsters: Dark Continent
Science Fiction 2014 119 mins Director: Tom Green
The pyrotechnic sequel to Gareth Edwards’ cult sci-fi follows US soldiers attempting to police alien-infested zones while also battling human insurgents.
New

Casablanca Beats Casablanca Beats
Drama 2021 102 mins Director: Nabil Ayouch
Former rapper Anas takes a teaching job at a cultural centre in a working-class neighbourhood in Casablanca.

Cop Secret Cop Secret
Comedy 2021 100 mins Director: Hannes Þór Halldórsson
Two Icelandic cops forced to work together become more than just buddies in this enjoyably explosive send-up of action movies.

The Swimmer The Swimmer
Drama 2021 84 mins Director: Adam Kalderon
An elite swimmer competing for a place on the Olympic team encounters intense rivalry and lust during training.

Ali & Ava Ali & Ava
Drama 2020 94 mins Director: Clio Barnard
Clio Barnard’s latest film is a tremendously warm and tenderly written love story.

Parallel Mothers Parallel Mothers
Drama 2021 123 mins Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Almodóvar at his very best, presenting a riveting drama about two mothers from very different backgrounds whose lives become intertwined.

Wake Up Punk Wake Up Punk
Documentary 2022 84 mins Director: Nigel Askew
Nigel Askew's documentary explores the punk movement, featuring revealing insights from designer and punk icon Vivienne Westwood.