THE autumn colours are still gorgeous, but there is a real chill in the air and winter is fast upon us. Top Moviola choices for local villages and arts centres for November and December are The Christophers and My Mother’s Wedding.

The Christophers, starring Sir Ian McKellen and Michaela Cole, is a black comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh. It is the story of a famous painter, the elderly and eccentric Julian Sklar, who completed two series of paintings in the 1990s called The Christophers, based on his lover at the time. A third series is unfinished, and he has not worked on them in years. Although his reputation has faded, his children Barnaby and Sallie hire a young artist, Lori Butler, to pose as his assistant and finish the series, unknown to the original artist. The greedy siblings plan to sell the finished fake Sklar paintings for a fortune after his death.

In November, The Christophers is being screened at Kingsbury Episcopi, Churchinford, Winsford, Bransgore, Nether Wallop, Edington (Somerset), Halstock, East Knoyle, Bishopstone (Salisbury), Mere (Lecture hall), West Camel and Winterslow.

The December programme sees this film on screen at Bourton, Hanging Langford. and Harnham (Salisbury, sports & social club).

My Mother’s Wedding marks the directorial debut of Kristin Scott-Thomas, who also stars as the mother, and co-wrote the screenplay with her husband John Micklethwait. Her co-stars, as her daughters, are Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller and Emily Beecham, with Thibault de Montalembert as the “Grand Fropmage.” The plot focuses on the three sisters returning to their family home for the third wedding of their twice-widowed mother.

November screenings are at Bourton, Shrewton, Charlton Marshall, Watchet (cinema), and Castle Cary, (Caryford hall).

In December, My Mother’s Wedding is on at Yetminster (Jubilee hall), Beaminster (Public hall), Winsford, Bransgore, East Knoyle, Whitchurch and West Camel.

Other films in November are:
Tuner at Yetminster (Jubilee hall), South Petherton (David Hall), Fawley (Jubilee hall), Hawkchurch, Ditcheat (Jubilee hall), East Stour and Frogham.

Midwinter Break at Beaminster (Public hall), Donhead St Mary, Chard (Guildhall), and Netherbury.

Savage House at Codford St Peter (Woolstore Theatre), Shepton Montague and Harnham (Salisbury, sports & social club).

Rose of Nevada at Hanging Langford.

Rebuilding at Martock (Parish hall).

and Madfabulous at South Petherton (David Hall).

December’s other films are:
Tuner at Charlton Marshall and Chard (Guildhall).

Midwinter Break a Hawkchurch.

Savage House at Kingsbury Episcopi, Churchinford, Nether Wallop, Shrewton and Ditcheat (Jubilee hall).

and Is This Thing On? At Fawley (Jubilee hall).

For dates and venues see the Arts Diary. For more information on films and timings, visit www.moviola.org