This film is part of Rentals
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Fascinating documentary about the glamorous Hollywood star who was also a genius inventor of military technology.
Director: Alexandra Dean
Overview
Hedy Lamarr was one of the leading female stars of 1940s Hollywood, but few would be aware of her off-screen accomplishments as an inventor of frequency hopping during WWII, which later became the basis for wi-fi and bluetooth. Alexandra Dean’s documentary charts Lamarr’s fascinating life, from her youth in Vienna, the pivotal transatlantic journey that landed her a lucrative contract with MGM, her struggles for more challenging roles, to her determination to contribute to the war effort.
Through her own words and those close to her (and with her letters voiced by Diane Kruger), Bombshell paints a picture of a strong woman who defied expectation and earned her place in the history of both Hollywood and science.
Supported by The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Related
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus
Documentary 2023 103 mins Director: Neo Sora
This moving tribute to the late composer and musician speaks volumes about his enormous talent, pioneering work and dedication to his craft.
Red Herring Red Herring
Documentary 2023 94 mins Director: Kitson Vincent
Following his terminal diagnosis, young filmmaker Kit Vincent sets out to document an intimate and darkly humorous journey in this BIFA nominated documentary.
Stephen Stephen
Drama-documentary 2023 78 mins Director: Melanie Manchot
Artist Melanie Manchot’s debut feature is a visually striking film-within-a-film, exploring mental health and addiction.
Four Daughters Four Daughters
Drama-documentary 2023 103 mins Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
The mother-daughter relationship is explored to cathartic effect in this complex and poignant hybrid documentary about a woman and her missing daughters.
Occupied City Occupied City
Documentary 2023 251 mins Director: Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen’s cinematic commemoration of the Holocaust offers a multidimensional experience full of gravity and sublimity.
Your Fat Friend Your Fat Friend
Biopic 2024 96 mins Director: Jeanie Finlay
A powerful and moving documentary exploring body image, diet culture and anti-fat bias through the life and work of Aubrey Gordon.
78/52 78/52
Documentary 2017 92 mins Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
This superb, in-depth documentary devotes 90 minutes to analysing one of cinema’s most famous sequences – the shower scene in Psycho.
Hitchcock/Truffaut Hitchcock/Truffaut
Documentary 2015 80 mins Director: Kent Jones
Kent Jones’ excellent documentary about a historic encounter between two cinema greats.
Blazing Saddles Blazing Saddles
Comedy 1974 93 mins Director: Mel Brooks
Gather around the campfire for one of the all-time great film comedies, Mel Brooks’ inspired and anarchic deconstruction of the cowboy film.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus
Documentary 2023 103 mins Director: Neo Sora
This moving tribute to the late composer and musician speaks volumes about his enormous talent, pioneering work and dedication to his craft.
Our Mothers Our Mothers
Drama 2019 77 mins Director: César Díaz
As Guatemala confronts its violent past, a forensic anthropologist is tasked with identifying the dead, in this affecting Cannes prize-winning drama.
Red Herring Red Herring
Documentary 2023 94 mins Director: Kitson Vincent
Following his terminal diagnosis, young filmmaker Kit Vincent sets out to document an intimate and darkly humorous journey in this BIFA nominated documentary.
Robot Dreams Robot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 103 mins Director: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
Stephen Stephen
Drama-documentary 2023 78 mins Director: Melanie Manchot
Artist Melanie Manchot’s debut feature is a visually striking film-within-a-film, exploring mental health and addiction.
Red Island Red Island
Drama 2023 117 mins Director: Robin Campillo
French writer-director Robin Campillo offers a searching exploration of memory and politics, in this boldly conceived story of boyhood in 1970s Madagascar.