Films featuring on Rialto Channel this week vary from a romantic comedy about the invention of a sex toy, starring Hugh Dancy and Maggie Gyllenhaal, to an American documentary exploring the deadly serious issue of third trimester abortions. I've also thrown a British mockumentary into the highlights for a little light relief.

Films featuring on Rialto Channel this week vary from a romantic comedy about the invention of a sex toy starring Hugh Dancy and Maggie Gyllenhaal, to an American documentary exploring the deadly serious issue of third trimester abortions. I've also thrown a British mockumentary into the highlights for a little light relief.

Also, don’t forget about Rialto Channel's Director's Series every Sunday evening at 8.30pm. This month, we celebrate the work of our very own Jane Campion. Don’t miss The Piano (15^th December), Holy Smoke (December 22^nd) and In The Cut (December 29^th).

Starring Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal & Felicity Jones

Directed by Tanya Wexler

Premiering Saturday 14^th December, 8.30pm 
Remote record here.

A film about the creation of a sex toy doesn't sound like a film you’d recommend to your mother, but director Tanya Wexler's approach to the story of the invention of the first electro-mechanical vibrator is both amusing and dignified, and perfectly appropriate for open-minded mothers. Set in the Victorian era, Hysteria is a very pretty, well-designed costume period piece and a delightful romantic comedy, telling the story of how a young doctor (Hugh Dancy) and his inventor hobbyist friend (Rupert Everett) invented a device allowing the doctor to administer pelvic massages to wealthy housewives with the medical condition ‘hysteria’ without getting hand cramps. With a farcical tone and hammed up performances, Hysteria makes for an amusing and lighthearted romp.

Starring Warren Hern, Susan Robinson & Shelley Sella

Directed by Martha Shane & Lana Wilson

Premiering Thursday 12^th December, 8.30pm
Remote record here.

After Tiller is a brave, emotional documentary that explores why a very small group of doctors in the US provide third trimester abortions for women. The doctors interviewed here were all colleagues of Dr George Tiller’s who was murdered in Kansas in 2009 because of his work. They discuss what motivates them, what its like living with the constant harassment from protesters and the tough ethical decisions they face. More importantly though, After Tiller gives the women seeking a third trimester abortion a voice, and the reasons for their decisions are often complex and tragically sad. It’s not a completely balanced documentary, but you have to admire the filmmakers for addressing this controversial issue calmly and intelligently.

Starring Stephen Mangan, Rhys Thomas and Rosie Cavaliero

Directed by David L. Williams

Encore: Saturday 14^th December, 2.30pm
Remote record here. 

If you want to start the week on a light note, then try the British mockumentary Beyond the Pole. A lighthearted comedy about a two ordinary Englishmen who decided they want to do something really spectacular to make people sit up and take notice of environmental issues, they decide to walk to the North Pole unassisted, becoming the first vegetarian, carbon neutral team to do so. Well, as long as they beat the Norwegians who are fast on their trail. Neither Mark (Mangan) nor Brian knows what they’re doing, and before long their mission turns into a quasi- disaster survival flick.