Food Bank collection at The Courtyard

The Courtyard are appealing to people’s festive giving spirit this January with a food bank collection in conjunction with a screening of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film Shoplifters.

Shoplifters (15) tells the story of Casual labourer Osamu, who makes his family money selling the wares collected by his thieving boy, Shota. When Osamu and Shota find a shivering young girl on the street, they take her in as their daughter and sister, a new protege for the family of thieves to train. Appearing neglected and abused by her own parents, worries about returning her are allayed, but Shota creates cause for concern, when jealousy takes hold.

Japanese film director Hirokazu Kore-eda is known for his complex family dramas and has picked up a multitude of awards over his 20 year career including several from Cannes Film Festival, Asia-Pacific Film Festival and Blue Ribbon. Shoplifters itself was nominated for Best International Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards in 2018 and is described by The Telegraph as “a thrilling, beautiful tale of Toyko’s down-and-outs.”.

The Courtyard are looking to encourage people to extend their giving spirit past Christmas and into the new year with a special collection for Hereford Food Bank. Audience Development Manager, Robyn Barratt said “People tend to be very generous in the run up to Christmas but there are so many people in need all year round. There has been a 13% increase in the number of emergency food supplies given out in the past year alone and so we are asking people to make giving their New Year’s resolution and help us in our collection for Hereford Food Bank in January.”

Keep an eye out on The Courtyard’s social media channels  where they will be posting lists of required items.

Shoplifters (15) will be in The Courtyard’s Studio Theatre on Monday 7 January and Monday 4, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 February. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555.