CONGREGATION’S JUKEBOX

Congregation

Congregation’s nerve-jangling, heart-stopping old-time blues has been wowing audiences across London for over a year. Now, with their debut album released on May 11 (on the Bronzerat label), the band’s unique blend of psycho soul and delta fire is destined to reach a much wider audience. They’re playing in Glasgow on June 5, Bardens Boudoir (London) on June 6, Sizzle Suite (Midlands) on June 15, Dirty Water Club (London) on June 13 with Holly Golightly and at Glastonbury on June 28. For more information, go to their MySpace. They’ve compiled a list of their ten favourite films for us below, and their choices betray a love for the intense and the personal, and a penchant for tortured heroes and heroines.

BEN:

1- Shadows (1959)
John Cassavetes’s Beat poetic portrayal of racial tension in 1950s New York still has relevance.
VICTORIA adds: Politically astute and visually exciting, this film is all I love about cinema.

2- The Match Factory Girl (1990)
Classic deadpan hopelessness from Aki Kaurismäki, the Finnish director who hates his own films.

3- The Conversation (1974)
Stunning portrayal of control paranoia. Great sound, and definitely the best opening sequence of any film I’ve seen.

4- Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Another portrayal of paranoia in the post-war backwoods of America. Spencer Tracy’s finest hour.

5- Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, fight on the cable car. Guys on a mission, genius.

VICTORIA:

6- Trust (1990)
Hal Hartley is one of my favourites, he creates worlds that are so desirable and performances that are filled with charm.

7- Stella Dallas (1937)
A King Vidor melodrama that cuts through so many emotions and political positions. Barbara Stanwyck is incredible as the heartbreaking lead who defiantly tries to have her voice heard.

8- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Beautifully visualised and shot, it captures the unspoken with intensity and drama and features the perfect coupling of Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.

9- Love Letter to Edie (1975)
Short ‘documentary’ about the real and imagined life of Edith Massey, capturing all you would ever need to know about the legend herself through the eyes of a superfan.

10- Dogfight (1991)
Such a tender and intimate film, managing to capture the love and excitement of music appreciation and knowledge through a young girl’s eyes so vividly and fully. I always find this film really inspiring.