Guillermo Del Toro's blockbusting tale of a young girl struggling to make sense of the violent world around her was a big 2006 arthouse hit. Continuing his exploration of the impact of the Spanish Civil War on his generation (it was also the backdrop for his excellent ghost story, The Devil's Backbone) Del Toro's fantasy mixes strong horror with fairytale-style aesthetics to great effect, making Ofelia's escape into an imaginary realm a poignant response to the cruel realities of her existence. find out more...

The mythical "Colour of Pomegranates", the life of 18th century Armenian poet Sayat Nova, (included in Time Out's 100 greatest all time movie list), double-billed with the "Legend of the Suram Fortress", a Georgian myth about a young boy who saves the constantly crumbling Suram Fortress by allowing himself to be covered with earth and eggs and walled up alive. Eloquent images and obscure symbols constructed in striking tableaux vivants, emblematic gestures or formalised movement. Beautiful, surr find out more...

Rural France, 1542; after several years of unhappiness in his village, a young man suddenly disappears, leaving his wife and farm. Nine years later he returns from a war a changed man, his story is convincing, his wife accepts him wholeheartedly, and his farm prospers, but doubts about his true identity are sown. The story is a legend in France, a fascinating tale of deception leading to a love that deserves to last, but is spoilt by the ugliness of human nature. A great re-creation of the medie find out more...