The Shape Of Water (2017) 15

Experience the sumptuous watery fable and this year's Oscar winning best film at London's most famous Lido.

A story about otherness set against the sinistre backdrop of Cold War America, circa 1962. The proxy princess is dreamy, mute cleaner, Elisa (Sally Hawkins); the handsome prince is a shimmeringly scaled Creature from the Black Lagoon; and the villian's role fits the evil military scientist (Michael Shannon) like a glove. Elisa exists happily enough in a world of her own, but when she is tasked with mopping up the floor of the top secret research lab, she is beguiled by the sinuous creature imprisoned in the water tank.  As in all good fairy tales True Love has many obstacles to overcome, but a shared appreciation for Jazz and a love of hard boiled eggs helps, here!

Director Guillermo del Toro says he has relied on the company of monsters since childhood.  He believes that monsters help "make sense of our blissful imperfections."  Anyone familiar with his Spanish Civil War-set Pan's Labyrinth knows that del Toro approaches his weighty themes through the fine gauze of fantasy. In The Shape of Water, though, he permits himself a more traditional fairy tale ending, and it's very welcome! It is not just us who have been utterly charmed by this; it won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, and it has topped the table for Oscar nominations. See why for yourself.

This special venue does not allow food and drink to be taken into the screening space but food and drink can be bought at the Lido cafe. So make an evening of it and buy a ticket that involves a special food and drink offer. The Ticket and food offer consists of the hottest ticket in town plus a pulled pork bap, apple sauce and slaw OR falafel burger, a pint of beer OR glass of wine OR soft drink.

The Nomad Cinema is thrilled to partner with curated online cinema MUBI to present this summer's programme of amazing outdoor screenings. It's the perfect fit: two adventurous, independent companies dedicated to bringing great cinema to a wide audience. And to make it even more exciting, every ticket to a Nomad screening will include 30 free days of MUBI!