Whether you want to laugh, cry, or feel uplifted this August, Rooftop Film Club’s Cinema Therapy season is guaranteed to give your soul a movie massage. Taking place at both Bussey Building and Roof East, the month-long series will help you channel your emotions through the magic of cinema, with films to boost your mood, help you destress, feel empowered or lose yourself in, alongside special events including talks from The Guilty Feminist and host of the award winning film podcast Best Pick, Jessica Regan.

Movie magic offers more than just escapism, with different films taking you on a real emotional rollercoaster. The Cinema Therapy series explores some of these emotion-inducing films and Rooftop Film Club are working with renowned psychologist Simone Bose to explain their benefits and how they affect your mood.

Films to destress to
This August, sit back and relax with Amelie at Roof East on 7th or feel zen watching Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom on 8th at Bussey Building. Take a deep breath and relax with incense smells enveloping the rooftop, relieve any stress with stress balls available on demand, or visit the relaxation station for a mini head and hand massage by Secret Spa.

Simone advised: “Watching de-stress movies can be a great way to focus attention and the different sensory stimuli – the sounds and images, can have an impact on reducing anxiety. When you are calmer it helps your mind to process feelings and this also reduces the cortisol levels in your body. Destressing also helps with emotional release, which can feel incredibly healing.”

Films to empower you
Be bold and feel empowered at Bussey Building on 15th August, where comedian, screenwriter & host of the hit podcast The Guilty Feminist Deborah Frances-White and Jessica Regan – actor, writer & host of the award winning film podcast Best Pick – will give their take on women in movies ahead of the all-time classic Thelma and Louise. Watch the heartfelt film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on 14th at Roof East, with a pre-movie talk from author of Alonement: How to be alone and absolutely own it, Francesca Specter, which is sure to leave you feeling inspired.

Simone Bose commented: “Empowering films can be good at helping you to work through an issue that is blocking you or helping you to reflect on something that you are struggling with. Watching someone go through an issue similar to you and see how they overcome it can be really inspiring. These films are also really good at helping you to release emotions that are hard to express in normal ways and give you more clarity when facing your own challenges.”

Films to boost your mood
No matter how stressful your day has been, Rooftop Film Club has got you covered with movies that are sure to put a smile on your face. Laugh until you cry at the hilarious Bridesmaids (21st August at Roof East) or opt for the feel-good culinary classic, Chef, at Bussey Building on 22nd. Those who remember the hilarious giant cookie scene from Bridesmaids will delight in the complimentary Blondies Kitchen cookies that every guest will receive on the evening, perfect for an instant mood-booster.

Simone said, “Feel good movies are great at releasing the ‘happy’ chemical, dopamine. It can be an amazing emotional release, whether you are laughing or crying. If you are feeling in a low energy mood, dopamine can really help you to escape and switch off from the everyday worries of life.”

Films to lose yourself in
Escape from the everyday and lose yourself in the timeless classic, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (28th August at Roof East) or sci-fi fanatics can delight in a screening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on 29th at Bussey Building.

Simone said, “Films to lose yourself in give you the opportunity to escape everyday life’s stresses. They give you a safe space to see characters engage with serious social, economic or political themes that are relatable. It also helps our brain to be more imaginative and creative with how we view their world and issues we face.”