The Fermanagh Film Club will start off the new year and its spring programme with a screening of ‘Lyra’ (Cert 15) on Wednesday, January 4.

‘Lyra’ is an emotive, intimate documentary on the life and death of acclaimed young Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee, whose murder by the New IRA in April, 2019, made headlines across the world.

Directed by her close friend Alison Millar, the film seeks answers to her senseless killing through Lyra’s own work and words. The film club, which is supported by Access Cinema and Film Hub NI, will screen ‘Lyra’, along with its upcoming spring programme at the Ardhowen Theatre, where it currently meets twice a month on a Wednesday at 8pm.

Following ‘Lyra’, the film club will show ‘The Rose Maker’ (Cert 18), presented with the support of the French Embassy and the Institut Français, on Wednesday, January 25.

‘The Rose Maker’ tells the story of Eve, who was once a champion rose grower, but after years without a big success her business is on the verge of collapse.

She reluctantly starts to consider selling to a successful competitor. In a last-ditch effort to save their livelihoods, Eve’s secretary, Rosa, brings on three inexperienced workers to help out.

Despite her initial hostility to the idea, the new arrivals soon inspire Eve to give rose-designing one last shot ...

Hailed as a charming and witty comedy-drama, ‘The Rose Maker’ is a crowd-pleasing tale of the fight for independence in the cutthroat world of artisan floristry. A fierce lead performance from Catherine Frot proves a particular highlight here, with the ‘Marguerite’ star once again proving herself to be one of France’s most compelling screen performers.

On Wednesday, February 8, Fermanagh Film Club presents ‘Return to Dust’ (Cert: PG).

In the rural Gansu region of China, Ma and Cao are two people seen only as inconveniences by their respective families.

They are cast off and forced into an arranged marriage. Living a simple but challenging farming life, the couple gradually fall in love. Together, they decide to build their own house.

However, a state-ordered demolition process threatens their very way of life ...

The latest film from director Li Ruijun, ‘Return to Dust’ is a patient, tender story of survival and love against the odds.

Elegantly shot and beautifully acted, it shows a side of Chinese society rarely seen on cinema screens. It has struck a chord with audiences in China, recently topping the local box office months after its initial release.

The next presentation will be ‘No Bears’ (Cert 12A), set to be screened at the Ardhowen on Wednesday, March 1.

Director Jafar Panahi has long defied a filmmaking ban from Iranian authorities, creating masterpieces such as ‘This Is Not A Film’ while under house arrest.

In mid-2022, the filmmaker was jailed for six years on dubious propaganda charges. His latest film, ‘No Bears’, was completed shortly before his arrest, meaning it now arrives on screens with added urgency.

Here, Panahi plays a version of himself, remotely directing a film from a village near the Iran-Turkey border.

As he grapples with pressure from his Turkey-based crew to sneak across the border, Panahi becomes unwittingly embroiled in a local dispute over a supposedly incriminating photograph that he may or may not have taken.

‘No Bears’ is an often light-footed and humorous film, but Panahi still pulls no punches.

The spring programme then continues on Wednesday, March 15 with ‘Hit The Road’ (Cert 12A). Driving across endless miles of rugged landscape, a family navigates a long road trip alongside a range of conflicting emotions.

Dad’s got a broken leg and a mood to match, whilst mum fusses over her two children and their pet dog. As the journey twists and turns and their destination draws ever closer, the chaotic claustrophobia in the car grows as does the love and affection they have for each other.

Accompanied by a brilliant soundtrack, Panah Panahi’s thrilling debut feature is a treasure; tender, quirky, and laugh-out-loud funny. Get ready to take an unmissable journey along the dusty road of life.

The final film of the spring season is ‘Aftersun’ (Cert 12A) on Wednesday, March 29.

11-year-old Sophie and her father Calum travel to a holiday resort in Turkey for a relaxing sunshine break.

As they lounge by the pool and explore the tourist sights, they record their trip on a camcorder. Some 20 years later, an adult Sophie looks back on the holiday and her relationship with her father, both the fond memories and the things that have been lost forever.

This debut feature from Scottish writer/director Charlotte Wells is an achingly tender portrait of a father-daughter relationship, and is driven by magnificent performances from young Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal.

Tickets for all screenings are bookable via the Ardhowen Theatre website.