Breaking Away

Set in 1970s American Midwest, Academy Award winning film Breaking Away explores the struggles of four young men from working class backgrounds as they find cycle racing as a way to seek independence and acceptance.

Come hungry to this screening. To go with the Italian themes in the movie, we have sourced London’s finest Italian street food vendor… Don Luigi. We also have THE best burgers in town from Original Fry Up Material  and lovely hot coffee from the wonderful Wildebeest Coffee Van 

Bloomington Indiana is a midwestern town with a history of quarrying and stone-cutting. Workers from the quarry and their family members are identified as “cutters”. The town also hosts an Indiana University campus. The co-habitation of the university students and its working class residents leads to endless class based tension and disputes between the two communities.

The film focuses on the principal character, Dave, as he seeks escape from his surroundings through his total dedication to cycle racing and his adoration of professional Italian cyclists.

Dave’s full hearted commitment to Italian culture and cycling leads to conflict, confusion and comedy as his parents struggle to understand his obsession and wonder why he can’t just fit in and get a job.

Dave’s friends also struggle to fit into their environment and while they
acknowledge Dave’s passion for his sport they don’t fully understand it. But they do understand their friendship and respect for each other and ultimately cycling gives all of them an opportunity to face their demons, support each other and find a place within their community.

Thank you to our sponsor The Hireman for loaning us the technical equipment to allow this screening to happen.