NEWS that a sequel was planned for The Devil Wears Prada, the brilliant film that shed a glittering and unflinching eye on the fashion business, was a surprise for many people. Would stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci want to reprise their roles … how could the story be bettered?

Reportedly Streep and Hathaway were both initially hesitant about the sequel, but it happened, with the four leading actors from the original film – Streep, Hathaway, Tucci and Emily Blunt – all signed on, with the same director, David Frankel, and writer Aline Brosh McKenna.

The film has proved to be a great success at the cinema, and is the most in demand for Moviola at the start of autumn. September screenings are at the village halls at Yetminster, Churchinford, Codford St Peter (Woolstore Theatre), South Petherton, (David Hall), Watchet (cinema), Somerton (Parish Rooms), Charlton Marshall, Donhead St Mary, Beaminster (Public Hall), Hawkchurch, Shrewton, Membury (Devon), Edington (Somerset), Frogham, Hanging Langford, Winterslow, Bishopstone (Salisbury), and East Knoyle.

Two decades after leaving her position as an assistant at Runway magazine, Andrea “Andy” Sachs (Hathaway) has become a respected New York reporter. Then her entire newsroom is abruptly laid off by text message during an awards gala. Meanwhile, Miranda Priestly (Streep), Andy’s old Runway boss, is under fire for publishing a puff piece about a brand that uses sweatshop labor. Tucci revisits his role as Nigel Kipling, Miranda’s right-hand man, and Emily Blunt is Emily Charlton, who used to work at Runway and now works for Dior.

Art and authenticity are the themes of the latest Ian McKellen, The Christophers. McKellen plays Julian Sklar, a successful, now elderly and eccentric painter based in London. In the 1990s, he completed two series of paintings called “The Christophers” based on his lover at the time; a third series of “Christophers” remained unfinished. His reputation has faded as he has aged, but his unscrupulous children Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning) hire Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), a young artist who has not exhibited in years, to pose as his assistant and finish the “Christophers” behind his back. They plan to sell the finished “Julian Sklar” paintings for a fortune after his death.

You can see The Christophers – Fawley (Jubilee Hall), Whitchurch, Hardington Mandeville, West Lydford, South Petherton (David Hall), Watchet (cinema), and Castle Cary (Caryford Hall).

Dates and venues for Moviola films are in the constantly updated Arts Diary; more details are available at moviola.org

The month’s other films are:
My Mother’s Wedding, the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas, who also co-stars, on screen at Kingsbury Episcopi, Wilmington (Devon), community centre, Nether Wallop, Shepton Montague and Harnham (Salisbury, sports & social club);
Tuner at Winsford, Halstock, Mere (Lecture Hall), West Camel and Netherbury;
Midwinter Break at Bourton and Bransgore;
Cinema Paradiso (1998) at Chard (Guildhall).
Rose of Nevada at Wiveliscombe, and Martock (Parish hall);
Mamma Mia (2008) at East Stour;
and Hamnet at Otterford (parish hall).