What’s better than watching a fantastic, original-language movie in a theatre? Watching a fantastic, original-language movie in an open-air theatre! This summer, Sala Montjuïc returns with an unmissable programme of films to watch on a big white screen stretched across the wall of Montjuïc Castle. The audience, sprawled out on the grass under the starry sky, will see Hollywood’s biggest stars giving their best performances. It’s an excellent chance to (re)watch some old favourites as well as this year’s Academy Award winners. And it’s an even better chance to practise your English!

Here are our top choices.

 

1. Bohemian Rhapsody

When: July 3, 10:00 pm

Bohemian Rhapsody tells the fascinating story of the legendary rock band Queen and its iconic lead singer Freddy Mercury. The film, produced with the participation of Freddie’s former bandmates, is a tribute to one of the greatest performers who ever lived, as well as the revolutionary music that propelled him to fame. The critically acclaimed picture quickly became an audience favourite. It also earned actor Rami Malek, portraying Freddie Mercury, the Golden Globe and the Oscar for Best Actor in 2019. We’re sure the audience will be singing along to their favourites on July 3rd!

Find out more and buy your tickets for Bohemian Rhapsody!

 

2. Lady Bird

When: July 8, 10:15 pm

A sincere and empathetic coming-of-age story, Lady Bird takes a look into the life of Christine – or Lady Bird, as she prefers to be called. She’s a high school senior dreaming of a new life outside her hometown. Just like most teenagers, she often gets into fights with her mother as she tries to make sense of the world around her. Greta Gerwig’s touching film takes us back to our teenage years when we all tried to fit in and remain true to ourselves at the same time. It features a captivating performance by Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan.

Find out more and buy your tickets for Lady Bird

 

3. Green Book

When: July 10, 10:00 pm

The winner of both the Golden Globe and this Oscar for best picture in 2019, Green Book is a new take on the road movie genre that teleports us right back to the 1960s. It’s about an unlikely friendship between Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a renowned African-American jazz pianist and Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a working-class white bouncer. Lip acts as the artist’s driver and bodyguard during his tour of the deep South. The film is based on a true story that reveals a lot of thought-provoking details about racism and prejudice in the United States.

Find out more and buy your tickets for Green Book!

 

4. The Favourite

When: July 17, 10:15 pm

This peculiar, humorous period film by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos – who made a name for himself in international arthouse cinema with obscure philosophical features like The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Dear – took audiences by surprise. Set in early 18th century England, The Favourite revolves around a triad of female characters. Each one is powerful in her own way, playing the royal game of manipulation. The three women, portrayed by brilliant actresses Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman (who won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film) wind up in absurd, hysterical and outrageous situations that will have you searching for the appropriate way to react – laugh, cry, or simply gape at the screen.

Find out more and buy your tickets for The Favourite!

 

5. A Star Is Born

When: July 24, 10:00 pm

A Star Is Born is undoubtedly one of this year’s greatest cinematic hits. It’s the latest rendition of a classic American tale, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper with singer Lady Gaga as his co-star. Jackson, a country music star whose career has seen better days meets Ally, a young aspiring singer that he takes under his wing. The two fall in love and together they go through the trials and tribulations of a life of fame, weighed down by a heavy psychological burden that Jack carries. The plot is not the only strong point of the film: it’s also a grandiose musical achievement, with tracks like the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning single Shallow.

Find out more and buy your tickets for A Star Is Born!

 

6. Kill Bill

When: July 26, 10:15 pm

In one of his most widely praised films ever, Quentin Tarantino creates a fusion of two genres: the spaghetti western and the Asian martial arts film. Starring the exquisite Uma Thurman, Kill Bill (released in 2003) follows the story of a former assassin who is nearly killed on her wedding day by her former employer. She awakens from a coma four years later and goes on a revenge spree that’s bloodier and more bizarre than any other we’ve seen throughout film history. It’s a visually arresting masterpiece that paved the way for the director’s signature style.

Find out more and buy your tickets for Kill Bill!

 

7. Into the Wild

When: July 31, 10:00 pm

Into the Wild, released in 2007 and directed by Sean Penn, follows university graduate Chris McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch) as he embarks on an unforgettable journey into the Alaskan wilderness. Having sold all of his possessions and donated all his money to charity, Chris is looking for an experience that will get him closer to finding the meaning of life. This often-referenced true story with an extraordinary soundtrack captures the dreams and desires of a generation, intertwined with beautiful shots of nature.

Find out more and buy your tickets for Into the Wild here!

Looking for other ways to practice your listening this summer? Try out these 7 podcasts or these 5 ways to improve listening skills at home.

 

Glossary for Language Learners

 

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Sprawled out (pv):: to lie down, in a relaxed comfortable way
.

Critically acclaimed (adj): praised/applauded by critics.

Captivating (adj):mesmerising, capable of maintaining attention.

Genre (n): a category of music, literature or film.

Peculiar (adj): strange, different from what one would expect.

Obscure (adj): enigmatic, difficult to understand.

Wind up (pv): find yourself in a place or situation at the end of a journey or experience.

To gape at (v): to stare at something with an open mouth.

Rendition (n): an interpretation or reworking of a former piece of art.

Weighed down (pv): to have problems or troubles to manage.

Exquisite (adj): extremely beautiful.

Pave the way (exp): to be the first of many to do something; to be a trail-blazer.

Wilderness (n): uncontrolled, wild, natural surroundings.

Intertwined (adj): twisted together.

Key

pv = phrasal verb

adj = adjective

n = noun

v = verb

exp = expression

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