IN ITS 46 seasons, Ilkley Film Society has shown films from dozens of countries, but never one from Laos.

This changes on Sunday, March 15 when The Rocket screens at Ilkley Playhouse at 8pm.

Ahlo is a young boy whose twin died at birth. According to traditional beliefs, this makes him a bringer of bad luck who should be killed, but his mother insists on keeping him.

When the family is forced to relocate because of a dam-building project, and calamity strikes them on their journey to a new home, Ahlo starts to feel that he may truly be cursed ­— but believes if he can build a homemade rocket that will win a fireworks competition, he can change his family’s fortune.

He finds support from Purple, an unforgettable local eccentric whose adoration of soul singer James Brown extends to looking and dressing like his hero, and who insists that bat droppings are an essential ingredient for a winning rocket!

Winner of the audience award at the 2013 Leeds Film Festival, this is a warm and uplifting film set in a beautiful landscape still scarred by bombing from the Vietnam war, and with the fireworks competition providing a hair-raising climax.

Guest tickets for non-members of the Film Society cost £4 (£2 for students) and can be reserved by telephoning Richard Fort on 01535 653471.

Further information on the current season is available online at ilkleyfilmsociety.org.uk.