A French film favourite is returning to the big screen with cinemas across Lancashire offering free tickets.
Amélie, the whimsical 2001 romantic comedy directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, will be shown for free at more than 100 independent cinemas across the UK on March 9 and 10 as part of the BFI-backed National Lottery Escapes programme, which expands cinema access.
In Lancashire, Reel Cinemas in Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, and Morecambe and Island Cinema (St Annes) are among those giving out tickets.
The screenings, funded by the National Lottery, mark the film’s 25th anniversary.
Ben Luxford, director of UK-wide audiences at the British Film Institute (BFI), said: "25 years on, audiences continue to fall in love with Amélie.
"It is bold, joyful, and as wonderful to watch as ever.
"Thanks to National Lottery funding, Escapes is giving audiences the chance to see Amélie on the big screen—completely free—while celebrating the independent cinemas that keep film culture alive.
"We are excited for a new generation to see Amélie in cinemas for the first time and for film fans to revisit this classic on the big screen."
The plot (no spoilers!)
Amélie tells the story of a shy Parisian waitress, played by Audrey Tautou, who sets out to quietly improve the lives of those around her while grappling with her own sense of loneliness.
The film became a global phenomenon, grossing $174.4 million at the box office and earning five Oscar nominations and two BAFTA wins.
It continues to earn international praise, and a new generation of viewers will now have the chance to see it on the big screen, thanks to Escapes.
Free screenings are part of National Lottery Open Week, which runs from March 7 to 15, and sees hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues across the UK offering free or discounted entry and special promotions.
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The Escapes scheme is designed to make cinema accessible to a wider audience, promote independent film venues, and encourage people to rediscover the magic of movies.
The free screenings of Amélie also come ahead of a re-release by Curzon, with the film returning to cinemas nationwide on April 3.
Free tickets are available now through Escapes at escapetothecinema.co.uk/tickets.
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