RIVETING documentaries and an atmospheric folk tale carry the torch for arthouse films this week.

On Tuesday, Ventnor Arts Club is screening the drama-thriller, Gwen (15), at 7.30pm.

The film follows the story of the titular character ­— a young girl desperately trying to hold her home together, struggling with her mother's mysterious illness, her father's absence and a ruthless mining company encroaching on their land.

As a growing darkness begins to take grip of her home, the local community grows suspicious and turns on Gwen and her family.

On Wednesday, the Friends of Freshwater Library is showing British documentary, Maiden, at 7.30pm.

The documentary follows the story of Tracy Edwards ­— a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989.

Also on Wednesday, XY Chelsea is being shown at Ryde Commodore Cinema.
Whistle-blower Chelsea Manning, whose 35-year sentence in an all-male maximum-security prison was commuted by President Obama, is the subject. It also examines her place in the conversation on national security and the fight of the transgender community.
It is being screened at 3.30pm and 7.30pm. 

On Thursday, at 7.20pm, Ventnor Arts Club is screening documentary, Diego Maradona.

Constructed from more than 500 hours of never-before-seen footage, the documentary centres on the career of celebrated football player, who played for Series A club, Napoli, in the 1980s.

The documentary follows the wild and unforgettable story of God-given talent, glory, despair and betrayal, of corruption and ultimately redemption.

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