A WAVE of new films arrive at the Electric Palace from tomorrow.

The Oscar-winning Moonlight (15) will be shown tomorrow (2).

It tells of a gay man’s journey from a deprived childhood through rage and towards self-realisation and is a moving, mysterious dance to the music of time.

The combination of artistry and emotional directness in this film is overwhelming. Barry Jenkins writes and directs, having adapted Tarell Alvin McCraney’s unproduced play. The film has power and generosity, giving such full access to his thoughts and feelings that it’s as if you are getting them delivered intravenously. It is the kind of film that leaves you feeling somehow mentally smarter and physically lighter.

On Saturday June 3, the Disney remake of Beauty and the Beast (15), starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Kevin Cline is on at the Palace at 3pm.

On Saturday evening, you can see the much-lauded documentary Letters From Baghdad (PG). It is one of the injustices of the universe that the fame of TE Lawrence, AKA Lawrence of Arabia, lives on (probably mostly thanks to David Lean and Peter O’Toole), while far fewer people are familiar with the biography of his contemporary and comrade-in-diplomacy, Gertrude Bell (1868-1926), a character no less colourful, charismatic and compelling than Lawrence.

Getting a niche arthouse release, this finely wrought documentary won’t rectify that imbalance in their respective reputations but it does serve as a handy summary for those who want a cinematic introduction to Bell’s sprawling, singular story. Here, an unseen Tilda Swinton reads extracts from the many elegantly written letters Bell sent while she was finding her feet in the Middle East.

Up and coming films over the next few months include Mad To Be Normal (15), starring David Tennant, and Churchill (PG) starring Brian Cox.

Tickets for all films are £4.

Call the box office or Bridport Tourist Information Centre for tickets.