Divergence Film Festival
Snow Cake + Q&A
Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver star in this searing drama that delves into autism and the way in which we handle grief.
Director: Marc Evans
Cast includes: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver
Q&A with the film's writer, Angela Pell
112 Mins / 2006 / UK / ENGLISH
With Q&A with screenwriter Angela Pell.
Written by Hastings-based Angela Pell, Snow Cake is our Classic Sunday screening for the Divergence Film Festival. At its core is Sigourney Weaver's nuanced performance as Linda, an autistic woman.
Following a car accident in which his hitchhiking passenger is killed, Alan (Alan Rickman) makes the journey to pay his respects to the girl's mother. When he meets Linda it's obvious that she's out of the ordinary; a brash, autistic woman and absolute force of nature, she immediately invites him to stay at her house - as long as he doesn't stain the carpet.
As they spend time together it becomes clear that he has a unique ability to connect with her and, in turn, she helps him confront the demons of his past; of the son who was killed in a car crash and of the guilty driver he killed in a fit of rage.
Snow Cake is a film about the power of friendship, no matter how eccentric, to change our lives and heal our hearts.
Snow Cake was Angela Pell's first feature which opened the 2006 Berlin Film Festival and won several awards.
Angela also co-wrote the autobiographical journey A Normal Family (published by Two Roads) with her husband Henry Normal – about their life bringing up their autistic son Johnny.
Divergence Film Festival is a celebration of autism and neurodiversity on screen, making visible the characters and stories that are often invisible in contemporary mainstream cinema. Presented by autistic and neurodivergent creatives and curators, we bring you a weekend of films showcasing autistic and neurodiverse film characters and narratives.
In partnership with Autism Spectrum, Eggtooth, AMAZE, Aspens and The Roebuck Centre, LIttle Gate Farm, DV8 and Oska Bright Film Festival
All screenings at the festival are relaxed and £10 double-ticket price available.
A relaxed screening is where people can watch a film in a relaxed environment.
They are different from regular film screenings because:
the lights are low instead of completely off, so you can still see where you're going
the volume is a little lower than a standard screening
you can move around the cinema freely as you wish during the screening
you can leave the cinema room during the screening and return without having to worry
you can make noise, stim, and enjoy yourself
there is a friendly atmosphere
there are people around if you need any help
These screenings are for anyone who would feel safe and welcome there.
At Electric Palace, we think the cinema should be for everyone, that's why we offer relaxed screenings.
