Robin Baker
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robinalexbaker.bsky.social
Robin Baker
@robinalexbaker.bsky.social
Film. TV. Archaeology. Pottery. Photography. Novels and short stories. Design. India. London. West Dorset 🌻 🍉
Linktree: https://t.co/YEqJmhdXY0
1/2. Caravaggio’s Victorious Cupid (1601-2) at the Wallace Collection. The hanging and lighting couldn't be better. It's the only point of focus in the room. Isolated on the wall, it felt more radical, provocative, shocking and brilliant than when I saw it in Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie.
January 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Saddened to read of the death today of Cuban actress Adela Legrá. Here she is in the role for which she's probably best remembered - as one of the 3 Lucias in Cuban classic, LUCIA (Humberto Solás, 1968). Her character that became a symbol of Cuban women in the early years of the Revolution.
January 2, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Dziga Vertov - director of MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA (1929) - was born on this day 130 years ago. This photograph of him was taken in the 1920s. It's preserved by the Austrian Film Museum and is part of a fantastic collection of items relating to his life and work vertov.filmmuseum.at/en
January 2, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by Robin Baker
If you're looking for a fabulous film to lift your spirits, THE LADY EVE, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda, is on Channel 4's catch-up service for the next 4 weeks! #FilmSky

www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
The Lady Eve
(1941) Romcom with Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. A con artist falls for her mark.
www.channel4.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:38 AM
If you're looking for film for New Year's Eve/Day, CARNIVAL NIGHT (Eldar Ryazanov, Soviet Union, 1956) comes recommended. It's a wholly delightful musical comedy set at New Year's Eve and it's free to watch on Mosfilm's YouTube channel www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txrt...

Happy 2026!
Carnival Night | COMEDY | FULL MOVIE
YouTube video by Mosfilm
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I love When Harry Met Sally... (Rob Reiner, 1989). I even love the lack of continuity on the 'Pictionary' scene. Sally illustrates the expression 'baby talk' with a single drawing of a baby. But there are clearly 4 different versions of the baby - and the film keeps cutting between them.
December 29, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by Robin Baker
It's been an extraordinary year at BAC. In 2025 we saw an increase of 27% in ticket sales compared to 2024. And the last 3 months have seen an increase of 64% on the same period last year! Thank you! Here's a 1 min taster of some of the things that made 2025 so great www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg6U...
2025 - a great year at Bridport Arts Centre
YouTube video by Bridport Arts Centre
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:57 AM
10 favourite Christmas films

- The Little Match Seller (James Williamson, 1902) www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J-3...
- The Shop Around the Corner (Ernst Lubitsch, 1940)
- Christmas Under Fire (Harry Watt, 1941) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg7n...
- Meet Me in St Louis (Vincent Minnelli, 1944)
December 22, 2025 at 7:41 PM
It’s the time of year for film lists. So here’s mine…

The films that probably engaged me the most in 2025 were my first time watches of classic films. See 🧵 for my top 10. All come strongly recommended. In no particular order:
December 20, 2025 at 11:08 AM
A birthday shout-out for Celia Johnson - born on this day in 1908. There's much more to her than just BRIEF ENCOUNTER. Here she is in the great, under-seen festive film, THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (George More O'Ferrall, UK, 1952). It features another of her wonderfully nuanced performances.
December 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Echoes of Turner. From my window this morning.
December 17, 2025 at 9:20 AM
When you feel guilty that something reminds you of something else.
1. Shrine at Kala Bhoomi Odisha Crafts Museum, Bhubaneswar.
2. Mahna Mahna, The Muppet Show.
December 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Trafalgar Square rivalling the Rockerfeller Center.
December 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Three reasons why Turner lovers should head to Turner and Constable at Tate Britain - all on loan.

1. The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16 October, 1834.
2. Juliet and her Nurse, 1836.
3. Staffa, Fingal's Cave, 1832.
December 14, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I hadn’t noticed this before, but there appears to be an Oasis fan in the back row of Fra Angelico’s Fiesole San Domenico Altarpiece, 1423-4.
December 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I love this 5 second sequence from Rainbow Dance (1936), so I put it on a loop. Apologies to Len Lye.
December 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Robin Baker
In praise of the colours (and wallpaper) of THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (Jacques Demy, France, 1964).

Showing on the big screen at BAC on Thu 11 Dec at 7.30pm www.bridport-arts.com/event/the-um...
December 9, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Reposted by Robin Baker
December 4, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Reposted by Robin Baker
Catherine Deneuve, cinematographer Jean Rabier and director Jacques Demy (behind the camera) filming the Christmas-set finale of THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (1964).

The film shows on the big screen at BAC on Thu 11 Dec at 7.30pm bridport-arts.com/event/the-um...
November 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I just found these photos taken by the Film Heritage Foundation photography team in Bhubaneswar last week. They're a great reminder of how enjoyable it was to work with such a smart, engaged and friendly group of students - and to talk film programming outside in a balmy 30 degrees under the trees.
November 27, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Robin Baker
Primordial Dance - an exhibition of paintings by Helen Garrett with poetry by @kateinnes.bsky.social - opens at BAC on Sat 29 Nov bridport-arts.com/event/primor...

There's also a programme of special events including the premiere of the film Helen Garrett: Befriending the Mystery (2025).
November 26, 2025 at 9:06 AM
If the idea of reading a feature about the use of beetles in 17th-19th century Himalayan miniature painting appeals, this comes highly recommended www.metmuseum.org/perspectives...
November 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Group photo at the 13th century Konark Sun Temple, Odisha. If you squint you might be able to spot me in the middle of the front row.

I was in Odisha to teach film programming to a group of international students - a fantastic, clever bunch, and a real pleasure to spend time with them.
November 20, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Richard Burton was born 100 years ago today.

This is a publicity shot for an early Burton big screen starring role - as a smuggler in the Ealingesque comedy GREEN GROW THE RUSHES (Derek Twist, UK, 1951).
November 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Robin Baker
Catherine Deneuve filming on location for THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (Jacques Demy, France, 1964). The photograph was taken by director and photographer Agnès Varda.

THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG shows on the big screen at BAC on Thu 11 Dec at 7.30pm bridport-arts.com/event/the-um...
November 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM