IF you haven’t yet seen the BAFTA and Oscar-winning Conclave, there are several opportunities with Moviola in April, when it is one of the most in-demand films, on screen at Codford (Woolstore Theatre), Westbury-sub-Mendip, Winterslow, Beaminster (Public Hall), Hawkchurch, Norton sub Hamdon, Winsford, Shepton Montague, Hanging Langford, Wookey Hole, Motcombe, Beer, Castle Cary (Caryford Community Hall), Mere (Lecture Hall) and East Knoyle.

It is adapted from Robert Harris’s book, a fictional imagining of the claustrophobic process of voting for a new Pope, after the death of the pontiff.

Ralph Fiennes is on subtle and compelling form as the cardinal who has to organise and manage the conclave – the ancient and impenetrable process by which the school of cardinals selects the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The film manages the extraordinary challenge of conveying tension, drama and pace within the suffocating confines of the Vatican buildings, where rival cardinals, from the liberal and conservative sides of the Church, negotiate, conspire and openly fight for the unique position.

It would be hard to imagine a more different film, setting or characters than April’s other most popular film, an appropriate family-friendly choice for the Easter holidays – Paddington in Peru.

The third film in the series which brings to the cinema screen Michael Bond’s adorable creation and his baffled but loving human family, the Browns, sees our little furry hero returning to his South American homeland to find what has happened to his beloved Aunt Lucy.

You can see Paddington in Peru at East Stour, Bransgore, Charlton Marshall, Donhead St Mary, Edingtonb (Somerset), Royal Wootton Bassett (RWB Academy), Trent, Chilthorne Domer, Odcombe, Sixpenny Handley, Frogham, Bishopstone (Salisbury), South Petherton (David Hall) and West Camel.

For dates and venues see the Arts Diary, and for more details of the films and times, visit www.moviola.org

The month’s other films are: Small Things Like These, starring the charismatic Cillian Murphy, in the adaptation of Claire Keegan’s award-winning novel, at Kingsbury Episcopi, Churchinford, Trent, Chard (Guildhall), South Petherton (David Hall), Shrewton, Norton St Philip and Watchet (cinema);
Twisters at Kingston St Mary;
Gladiator II at Yetminster (Jubilee hall), Fawley, Pewsey (Bouverie Hall), Cheddon & West Monkton, Calne and Ditcheat (Jubilee hall); and
The Critic at Highcliffe (Community Centre).

Pictured: Cillian Murphy in Small Things Like These; Ralph Fiennes in Conclave.