D-DAY 80: A Tribute to Heroes at Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre
On June 6th, 1944, the world held its breath as BBC Home Service presenter, John Snagge, declared, “D-Day has come.” Eighty years later, Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre invites you to join in a commemoration of bravery, sacrifice, and triumph with a series of gripping events and screenings.
FROM SWORD TO UTAH: Unveiling the Untold Stories Step back in time with “From Sword to Utah,” a riveting exploration of archived poetry, writings, and diary excerpts from the heroes of the Normandy Landings. Raw, poignant, and heartbreakingly real, these historical accounts will be interwoven with powerful performances by contemporary local poets. Experience the echoes of courage and resilience at Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre from June 2nd, 3:00-5:30pm, and June 4th, 6:00-8:30pm.
A MUSICAL TRIBUTE: Gooddevilskin Takes the Stage Before the main event, don’t miss a special performance by the acclaimed band Gooddevilskin, showcasing their moving song “As I Bleed” in honor of D-Day 80. Catch them live at 2pm and 5pm respectively.
JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY: Special Screenings Embark on a cinematic journey through history with a carefully curated selection of films:
- June 1st, 1PM: “The Cockleshell Heroes” (1955) – Witness the daring mission of British Royal Marines as they kayak into enemy territory. Free Screening.
- June 2nd, 6PM: “The Longest Day” (1962) – Experience the monumental invasion of Normandy with an introductory talk by Social Historian Ellie Stenning-Stride.
- June 4th, 1PM: Selected screenings from Portsmouth’s Archives, followed by “1917” (9PM) – A gripping tale of courage amidst the chaos of World War I.
- June 6th, 3PM: “D-Day, the Sixth of June” – Delve into the personal stories of love and sacrifice amidst the chaos of battle.
EXTRAORDINARY FINALE: Outdoor Cinema at Fort Nelson Round off the commemorations on June 29th with an outdoor screening of “Dad’s Army” (1971 movie) at Fort Nelson. Join the British villagers as they rally to repel a WWII invasion. FREE ENTRY, but book early to secure your spot!
Join the Tribute Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre is honored to contribute to our city’s cultural and historical celebrations. Don’t miss this opportunity to pay homage to the bravery and resilience of those who changed the course of history. Free entry to most of the events, with donations welcomed for The Combined Operations Memorial Fund and Royal British Legion.
Director of the Portsmouth Film Society Aysegul Epengin said: “For the first time, we are organising the events and activities for D-Day 80 Commemorative voluntarily. If anyone wishes to see great D-Day related films, ‘The Longest Day’ or ‘ D-Day, the Sixth of June‘ would be perfect for the occasion. Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre is delighted to contribute to our city’s cultural and historical celebrations.”
Contact Information For further details, please contact: info@portsmouthfilmsociety.org.uk
Special Thanks To:
- The children of St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
- Geoff Slee from Combined Operations
- The Royal British Legion
- Andrew Whitmarsh from the D-Day Museum
- Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson
About Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre is dedicated to promoting arts, culture, and community engagement in the heart of Portsmouth. Join us as we commemorate D-Day 80 and celebrate the indomitable spirit of our nation’s heroes.
For more information, visit www.portsmouthfilmsociety.org.uk
