Revelations at my local arts cinema
This is an ode to my local arts cinema that has been the site of not one but two life altering revelations.
In 2000, revelation one, it was a single small screen in a squat little 1970s building. I loved that place. There was a tiny bar underneath. I used to sit right up by the lighting box tucked in the corner. The first film I saw there was Kore-eda's After Life. Not a bad start. I watched everything from But I'm A Cheerleader to an anniversary remaster of Apocalypse Now.
By 2020, revelation two, it had been moved to a new, larger four-screen purpose built home with a cafe, exhibition space, rooftop bar. It's the other side of town stranded behind several blocks of flats. I'm glad it survives even if it lost some of its charm and now looks like a WeWork.
It is doing important things. Offering up some of what is lost in the big chains - international films (other than Bollywood, which is well served in my city), indies, older films. Running Lord of the Rings or Pride and Prejudice 95 all-day marathons. Themed nights with food and DJs. Pyjama party screenings of Clueless. All the classic Godzilla films. Short film and student festivals. Stage on Screen and Art on Screen. Running courses. This stuff is important.
This cinema is where, for the first time when I was sixteen I saw two girls my own age falling in love and being happy and dared to believe that could happen to me too. Twenty years later it's where I experienced a full polarity shift. The first of now sixty-five viewings.
Those films weren't on at any other cinema near me. One is Swedish, one is French. In 2000 there was no other way I could have seen that film. I would just never have seen it. I don't know what would have happened to me if I had never seen it. In 2020 I probably would have caught the film on streaming a couple of months later. Would it have had the same impact on a small screen at home, on my own, that bit later? I can't be sure. It would have been different, certainly, life would have played out differently.
This cinema sent out a survey a while ago asking why people go there: price, films, location etc. Film choice is a big part of it, sure. But really I go there because of the place it is and the loyalty I feel and that I want to support it. That choice wasn't on the form. That's why I have a membership and donate. Sheer love and belief.
I know not everyone is lucky enough to have this sort of place nearby or are able to access it or have the means to support it, I appreciate that. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure we all have places that are important to us and our community that could do with support right now. The arts need our help.
Also there's a Cinema of the Year poll - vote for your independent local UK cinema until 22nd September.