To celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth, we are screening Roman Polanski’s 2005 adaptation of the much-loved novel. Oliver, orphaned at birth, seems destined to a life of abject poverty. His innocence and innate goodness ill equip him for survival in an unjust class-based society. Polanski, the 2002 Oscar winner of best director for The Pianist, felt proud of Oliver as a film his children could see. A fan of the 1968 musical version, Polanski personally identifi es with Dickens’ character. Like Oliver he was separated from his parents at a young age and forced to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive. Much of the £25 million budget was used in the recreation of a Dickensian London and with an outstanding performance by Ben Kingsley as Fagin, this is an excellent remake of a classic.