| Hail the village cinema revival! |
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| Written by Andrew McCloy, 2005 | |
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Page 2 of 2 Back then, it cost sixpence to sit on the hard wooden seats at the front, 9d for partly-padded ones in the middle of the hall, or 1s 6d for the plusher tip-ups at the back. During the War the windows of the hall had to be carefully blacked-out so that light wouldn't escape and attract enemy aircraft, and chestnuts were roasted inside the wooden hall (something that Health and Safety might not be too keen on these days). Sixty years ago Youlgrave Cinema had three screenings a week, and although not as frequent today, it is trying to reach out to all sections of the community. Thanks to an additional grant from Leader+ (European funding aimed at encouraging greater accessibility in deprived rural areas) the film club has put on targeted matinee shows for children and the elderly, and as at Bonsall they are planning film-making and animation workshops for local youngsters. Elsewhere in the Peak District, there are plenty of other small, local film venues that appear to be thriving. The Peak Film Society puts on regular screenings at the Partington Theatre at Glossop; the so-called Pauper's Pit at Buxton (housed below the historic Old Hall Hotel) continues to host well-attended film nights; while the newly-formed Matlock Film Society has begun to show movies at a local pub. In addition, Derbyshire County Council is also encouraging rural film audiences with an initiative called Derbyshire Film. It is a collaboration between various local authorities and Derby's Metro Cinema, with the aim of bringing feature films to rural communities. Through the scheme regular public film shows have taken place at village halls and community centres across the county, including Wirksworth, Heanor, Ripley and Bradwell, with the equipment and professional projectionist provided by the Metro. It has proved a great success, and there are indications that it may lead to the creation of even more local film societies in rural Derbyshire. Medicocre TVSo what's behind the revival of rural cinema in the Peak District? Perhaps people are getting fed-up with the bewildering choice and mediocre quality of ever more TV channels? Or is it a reaction to the often arduous journey to their nearest urban cinema, and the high prices and narrow range of films on offer there? Certainly the self-organised local clubs in Derbyshire show films that they and their members want to see, and at a price that they know local people can afford.Big-budget, mainstream Hollywood movies are not usually high on their wishlist, either. Although Youlgrave Cinema reached back to the 1930s on their first evening, they also screened films as varied as The Pianist, the Oscar-winning tale of a Holocaust survivor, Bend it Like Beckham and the French film Amélie. Meanwhile, Bonsall's last season has taken their audience from Sweden (Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander) to the US (Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York), Australia (Rabbit Proof Fence) and Italy (Visconti's The Leopard). But, when the credits finish rolling and the lights come back on, all that these film clubs are doing in effect is providing a good night out, an opportunity for social interaction among friends and neighbours. The rural film societies in the Peak District are unfailingly friendly, run by unpaid enthusiasts who welcome all and sundry. "Funding bodies seem particularly keen to back our sort of venture because we are genuinely inclusive," says Youlgrave Cinema's Saffron Johnston. "Older people, single women and youngsters, who might feel alienated from pubs or clubs, are welcomed into our safe and friendly environment. Above all, we are a community film club run by local people for local people. And of course everyone enjoys a good film!" Andrew McCloy is a freelance writer and journalist based in the Peak District, and is the proud chairman of Youlgrave Cinema. |
