THE TRUMAN SHOW (PG) - KENSINGTON GARDENS - LONDON

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The first of three nights in the magnificent surroundings of Kensington Gardens, Peter Weir’s 1998 hit, The Truman Show, kicks off our weekend mini-season of “American Vistas” under the stars.

Described by Paramount at the time as “the most expensive art film of all time” (the film cost $60m to produce), The Truman Show defied this tag to become a mainstream hit, introducing Jim Carrey as a ‘serious’ actor and eerily predating and predicting the the rise of the TV reality show as a cultural phenomenon. Australian director Weir took over from Brian de Palma early on, and Carrey agreed to participate for a discount price of $12m, such was his enthusiasm for the script (rewritten 16 times by Andrew Niccol!)

It’s a skilfully crafted indictment of the viewing audience’s willing participation in a media-led invasion of private lives, where a Big Brother figure devises and delivers what we as media consumers accept as reality – in this case it’s Ed Harris’ Christof, the Truman Show’s creator and literally the man in the moon, controlling proceedings from the show’s production room, high over Truman’s fictional town of Seahaven. Warning fable aside, the film delivers its fair share of laughs and charming performances from Harris, Laura Linney, Natasha McElhone and especially from Carrey, who gives us a heartfelt and heartbreaking hero to cheer for right til the end.

For one night only, this beautiful green pocket of London will be transformed into a white picket slice of Americana. Expect friendly neighbours all the way from the U, S of A but keep one eye open and watch out for things falling from the sky…

Why not join us on Satuday and Sunday night at Kensington Gardens too? On Saturday 16 July we present Ridley Scott’s modern classic, Thelma and Louise, while Sunday 17 July transports us to a very different landscape for The Coen Brothers’ brilliant Fargo. Bring a blanket or low chair and something warm to slip on after sunset.

Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment!

We’ll be doing 20 Nomad events in London’s Royal Parks this year - view the full schedule for Royal Parks outdoor cinema.

Please note that for public safety and environmental reasons, glass is not permitted anywhere in the Royal Parks. If bringing a picnic, please bring plastic cups and plastic bottles instead. Many thanks.

The screening takes place on Buck Hill in Kensington Gardens. Entrance via Magazine Gate from the south or Marlborough Gate on Bayswater Road from the north. Nearest tube Lancaster Gate.

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