TELEVISION schedules are packed with so-called “holiday” favourites (often films that didn’t get rave reviews first time out), and theatres are bursting at the seams with Dames, ugly sisters and winsome princesses, but Moviola’s audiences have different ideas, and the mobile cinema organisation’s December programme has a fascinating selection, led by the bittersweet Ballad of Wallis Island (pictured).

Described as a British comedy-drama film, and directed by James Griffiths, this is written by Tim Key and Tom Basden, who are also two of the three leads. It is based on their 2007 short film, The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island.

The premise is that Charles Heath (Key) has invited his favourite folk duo, McGwyer Mortimer, to play for him on his remote Welsh island, to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of Heath’s beloved wife, Marie. The twist is that while McGwyer (Basden) thinks it is just him playing, Mortimer (the always luminous Carey Mulligan) is aware it is a reunion of the long separated musical and personal partnership.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is enjoyable – much of the original music is really good – and quirky in a very British way. It is the most requested Moviola film of the month, on screen at Hawkchurch, Yetminster (Jubilee Hall), Churchinford, East Stour, Highcliffe (community centre), Shrewton, East Knoyle, Charlton Marshall, Wookey Hole (club), Harnham near Salisbury (sports and social club) and West Camel (Davis Hall).

For dates and venues see the Arts Diary, for times and more information on the film, visit www.moviola.org

The month’s other screenings are Mr Burton, the story of the teacher who inspired Richard Burton (the superstar actor took his surname), at Pewsey (Bouverie Hall);
The Penguin Lessons, with Steve Coogan, in a film based on a true story, at Nether Wallop; The Salt Path, with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs as Raynor and Moth Wynn, at Chilthorne Domer, Bransgore and Cheddon & West Monkton; The Phoenician Scheme, Wes Anderson’s latest, at Hanging Langford; The Friend, a drama about a lonely woman who befriends a Great Dane, with Naomi Watts and Bill Murray at Kingsbury Episcopi (community centre), Odcombe, Winsford, Watchet (cinema), Chard (Guildhall) and Norton St Philip; Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy at Ditcheat (Jubilee Hall); and (the only actual Christmas film), Elf, at North Petherton.