The new season kicks off on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. with the film “Four Mothers for Edward,” a heartwarming and charming comedy by Darren Thornton—inspired by the acclaimed Italian film “The August Banquet.” To accompany the film, the “Beef and Guinness Stew” (beef goulash with Guinness, root vegetables, and potatoes) will be served at 6:30 p.m. Since seating for the meal is limited, registration is required. A vegetarian option is also available upon advance order.
Edward (James McArdle) is in his mid-thirties, a bit eccentric, and on the verge of a breakthrough as an author. His new novel about a gay first love is being hailed by critics. But he can’t go on the book tour in the U.S.—because of Mom (Fionnula Flanagan). She’s 81, has been dependent on his help since suffering a stroke, and relies on her speech-to-text device, which she uses to keep her son on his toes.
Edward cares for the elderly woman with the patience of a saint. Unfortunately, though—aside from writing—she is his only reason for living. And he simply can’t bring himself to book her a temporary room at a nursing home for the duration of his trip to the U.S. His psychotherapist encourages him to start looking out only for himself from now on. An unexpected adventure begins.
Before he can get started, three gay friends suddenly drop off their own high-maintenance mothers at his place and escape to Gran Canaria for a Pride weekend. This explains the title “Four Mothers for Edward” and kicks off an absurd comedy. The ladies constantly bicker with one another and make demands as if they were staying at a five-star hotel, while Edward is left with nothing but a place to sleep in his car. But they soon grow together into a chosen family, sharing stories about the pitfalls of aging and their sons’ coming-out experiences. And they end up mothering Edward fourfold.
Irish director Darren Thornton co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Colin—as a humorous and loving tribute to their own late mother, who could also only communicate via computer. This heartwarming and tender mother-son comedy follows an unusual chosen family as they learn to embrace life in all its facets. The film celebrated its world premiere at the 2024 London Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.
The rest of the program
- Sunday, November 8, 2026, 2:00 p.m.: “The Life of Chuck,” film in the original English with German subtitles; no food service available
- Friday, November 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: “Calle Málaga—A Home in Tangier” with Rfissa
- Friday, January 15, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: “Paulo Coelho – The Way of the Magician” with feijoada
- Friday, February 12, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: “The Frog and the Water” with Königsberg meatballs in teriyaki sauce
- Admission to the movie is 4 euros per person. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and seating is first-come, first-served. The movie and dinner package costs 19 euros. Doors open for dinner at 6:00 p.m. The Landgasthaus Böß accepts reservations via email at info@landgasthaus-boess.de, subject to availability. Dinner reservations cannot be canceled or exchanged. Tickets and dinner can only be paid for on-site at the box office. For more information about the films, visit www.idar-oberstein.de/stattkino.