Rialto World’s celebration of German cinema this month ends on a high, with Hannah Arendt, written and directed by leading German filmmaker and member of the New German Cinema movement, Margarethe von Trotta. Von Trotta began her career as an actress, working for directors such as Volker Schlöndorff, Rainhard Hauff, and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. In the mid 70s she finally stepped behind the camera, co-directing The Lost Honor of Katharina Blumalong with Schlöndorff, her husband at the time. The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum tells the story of a young woman that has an affair with a man she discovers is a terrorist. Politics and strong female protagonists would become features of von Trotta’s work, and her ability to grasp complex ideas on screen is very much present in her biography of the controversial German Jewish philosopher and political theorist Hannah Arendt. This award-winning drama from 2012, is my first pick of the week.

This weeks’ documentary is a portrait of the great twentieth century libertarian Gore Vidal. Australian filmmaker Nicholas D. Wrathall, who found Vidal’s enormous intellect and reputation initially overwhelming, wrote and directed Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia. Wrathall learnt the best way to approach the author was with “caution and respect”, and the two bonded over Australian politics as Vidal had personally known former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Even though he rarely answered questions about his personal life, Vidal was happy to talk to Wrathall about his thoughts on American culture and politics. It makes for fascinating viewing, reminding us how relevant Vidal’s ideas are today. Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia is one of my picks of the week, but first up, Swiss family drama Rosie.  

Well, it’s all go this month on Rialto Channel. German films take over Monday evenings, the second series of the excellent Danish/Swedish co-production The Bridge kicks off next Tuesday evening and you get to program Wednesday evenings  - all part of Rialto’s Sweet 16 celebration! A new British drama Run staring Olivia Coleman starts on Sunday evening, and classic anime features continue to light up Friday nights. Phew.

My first pick of the week is French film Turning Tide.  

There have been some audacious cheats in sporting history; sprinter Ben Johnson, skater Tonya Harding, and Boston marathon winner Rosie Ruiz who took the subway mid race. However in recent times, no one comes close to seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong when it comes to being revealed as a fraudster. Not only did he dope for most of his career, but also he constantly denied it, bullying those along the way who threatened to reveal his double life. Catch his story in Alex Holmes explosive documentary Stop At Nothing, just one of my picks for the week.

Throughout June, Rialto Channel celebrates the French film industry by screening a collection of recent French dramas and comedies every Monday and Tuesday evening. As you’d expect, there’s something to make you laugh and cry, and many things in-between. Francophiles can enjoy everything from Chinese Puzzle, the final film in director Cedric Klapisch’s charming drama series, or French-Swiss filmmaker Ursula Meier bleak drama Sisterstaring Léa Seydoux. This week though, begins with a real crowd pleaser, The Finishers.

It’s a good week for tennis fans, and a great month for sports fanatics with sport documentaries screening on both Thursday and Friday evenings throughout June on Rialto Channel. Covering off everyone from Lance Armstrong (Stop at Nothing) to Venus and Serena Williams (Venus and Serena), and featuring a variety of sports from skateboarding to bodybuilding, there are some remarkable, almost unbelievable stories to enjoy here. Perfect for the armchair sportsman. Here are my ‘picks of the week’ including two films that feature tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King.