In the run up to this weekend’s Film Festival, we are turning the spotlight on each of its’ four sessions in turn…

Saturday evening‘s film, The Keeper (Cert 15) tells the incredible true story of Bert Trautmann.  Buy tickets online or in person at Chorleywood Bookshop.

Football fans may be aware of certain aspects of Bert’s life – the events of the 1956 FA Cup Final are legendary – but director Marcus H. Rosenmüller’s film is a comprehensive look at an extraordinary life filled with unlikely, unbelievable and often tragic events.

It tells of Bert’s personal journey from former Nazi and German PoW to one of the greatest goalkeepers to play football in England and of the Englishwoman he fell in love with and married.  Of how, in the wake of the Holocaust and against a backdrop of post-war anti-German protest and prejudice, Bert came to be embraced by Manchester City and its fans – thousands of whom were Jewish.

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, The Keeper, with its’ themes of love, forgiveness and the search for redemption, is a truly inspirational tale. It stars David Kross, Freya Mavor, John Henshaw, Dervla Kirwan and Gary Lewis.

“It deserves to be seen for lots of reasons. Chiefly, because it truly is a heck of a story.” Brian Viner, Daily Mail

“It’s an old cliché about biopics that if the story wasn’t true, you probably wouldn’t believe it. Here, it’s taken a step further: you know it’s true and you still don’t believe it.” Philip De Semlyen, Time Out

The screening takes place at the War Memorial Hall, Common Road this coming Saturday (14th March). The doors and bar open at 7.30p.m. and the programme begins at 8.00p.m.

Tickets: £6 :  available from the Bookshop, online or on the door, if still available.

In relation to current Coronavirus public health concerns – we strongly urge everyone attending Festival sessions to follow the NHS’s medical and personal hygiene advice & guidance (see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/).

Please note: The Black Horse pub on the Common is offering special meal promotions to Film Festival go-ers throughout the weekend. These include Early Bird Suppers on Friday and Saturday evening. Please see http://www.black-horse.co.uk/ or call 01923 282252 for full details of these offers.