“Modern life is wonderful… until it starts ringing.”

On Thursday 21st May 2026, descend into the downstairs cinema at The Ill Repute for a screening of The Telephone Book; a delirious, candy-coloured slice of New York sleaze that feels like it was transmitted from another planet.

Directed by Nelson Lyon, this notorious cult curio follows Alice, who receives an obscene phone call and decides, quite reasonably, to dedicate herself to finding the man on the other end of the line. What unfolds is a feverish odyssey through peep shows, side streets, strange apartments and the kind of urban chaos cinema rarely captures anymore.

Shot on the streets of early-70s Manhattan, The Telephone Book is less interested in good taste than pure momentum. It’s vulgar, witty, anarchic, unexpectedly stylish and packed with comic detours, surreal characters and enough bold design to wallpaper an art gallery.

Beneath the outrageous premise is a time capsule of a city and an era when independent filmmaking could be reckless, cheap, inventive and completely unbothered by respectability.

▶ The Ill Repute, Old Market - downstairs cinema room
▶ Doors 7:30pm / Film 8pm sharp (no late entry)
▶ Free entry - first come, first served
▶ Drinks and snacks available at the bar upstairs

Be Kind Rewind Bristol is a free bi-weekly Thursday cult film night celebrating strange, beloved and offbeat cinema in the downstairs screening room at The Ill Repute.