Highlands and Islands Film Clubs

30 May 2005 in Film

For the Love of Film

GEORGINA COBURN investigates the enthusiastic world of the Highlands and Islands dedicated film clubs

I WAS DELIGHTED to discover when considering the problem of access to cinema in the Highlands and Islands the number of varied and exciting film programmes, events and discussions being generated by film groups in the region, especially in relation to independent and foreign film.

In such a huge area with a relatively sparse population the problem of access to cinema of all kinds is being addressed by a dedicated number of film enthusiasts who have responded to gaps in programming in their local area. Film clubs are an important community resource in the Highlands and Islands providing opportunity for entertainment, education and communication as well as cross cultural exchange.

Alongside the contributions of HI~Arts Screen Machine and local mainstream cinema where they exist, Film Clubs provide a focus for the local cinema-going audience. Club activities include talks by visiting speakers and discussion groups, and offer a great opportunity to share the cinematic experience with others and gain more insight into the film maker’s art.

Each area of the Highlands presents its own set of programming problems in relation to film, especially in outlying communities such as the outer Isles, but these are being enthusiastically addressed by a number of committees and their love of the screen.

Shetland Film Club formed in 1980 is a great example of the community work being undertaken by such a group. There are no commercial cinemas in Shetland and although in recent times Filmobile Scotland show main run titles in Lerwick, Shetland Film Club continues to serve the outer Isles.

Since 1991, in addition to regular fortnightly screenings, the club have taken popular films around Shetland. Stuart Hubbard explained the difficulty in getting film to outlying areas: “We shall be going to Fair Isle shortly. This is an over-weekend stint rather than overnight event because of the travel difficulties – a 25 minute trip in a light aircraft. To make it worthwhile we shall take a couple of films.The population is about 60 and we shall hope for an audience of about 30.”

Shetland Film club is supported by the Shetland Arts Trust who are keen to develop screenings in local care centres and educational shows in schools. The club was able to purchase digital equipment in 2001 funded by the Lottery, Local Council, Shetland’s Enterprise Company, BFFS and the group itself.

“Life in Shetland comes in two halves, a winter existence and a summer existence, which are quite disparate because of the seasons here,” Stuart explained. In the beginning the club had a season of films shown from September to April to a membership over the winter period, and this continues today. Recent screenings have included “The Motorcycle Diaries” (UK/USA/France), “Hero” (Hong Kong/ China), “Stage Beauty” (Germany/UK/USA) and “Bad Education” (Spain).

“Cinema can challenge, entertain and inspire us but what is really inspirational is the energy and enthusiasm of Highland film committees and their membership.”

It is an example of a unique Island environment that has much in common with the rest of the Highland region where Art, in this case film, is being used to enrich the cultural life of the local community, especially important during the long dark winters! Entertainment yes, but so much more than that.

Orkney has two film societies, The Phoenix Film Club operating alongside the New Phoenix Cinema at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall and the Gable End Film Society based in Hoy. Their programmes share an interest with other Highlands and Islands groups in presenting the best in home grown, world and classic cinema to their membership.

“Club Film” based at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye won the British Federation of Film Societies National Award in 2003 for the Best Film Club Programme of the Year and was runner up in 2004. The club has a 35mm projection system and a dolby sound surround system and screens a diverse range of classic and emerging cinema. Forthcoming screenings include “Belleville Rendezvous”, “La Strada”, “Winged Migration” and “Uzak.”

Cinema A82 based at the Craigmonie Centre, Glenurquart High School Drumnadrochit holds monthly club meetings and regular screenings of both documentaries and feature films. Recent screenings of “Farenheit 9/11″ and “Peace One Day” together with Cinema Net Europe launched the club’s inclusion in “the biggest digital film festival staged so far in Europe.”

The Club stage regular Saturday screenings for young audiences and recently hosted a talk by lthe Cromarty-based director of “American Cousins”, Don Coutts.

Discussion and events associated with film are also an important aspect of the work being done by Film Clubs.

Formed in 2003, Inverness and Area Film Fans (IFF!) gather for viewing sessions at the Florians Theatre, Bught Park and at selected screenings at Eden Court Theatre. Providing notes and an opportunity for post film discussion, the group selects films drawn from the best in International Cinema, usually as part of a themed season.

Recent special events have included an illustrated talk by Mark Brownrigg on “Hearing Cinema – Film Music from Silent Era to the Present Day” and a guest appearance and discussion with actress Tilda Swinton at the group’s screening of “Caravaggio”, as part of their recent Art and Artists Season. Forthcoming screenings include “Cyclo” (Vietnam /France), “Days of Heaven” (USA) and “Uzak” (Turkey).

Cinema can challenge, entertain and inspire us but what is really inspirational is the energy and enthusiasm of Highland film committees and their membership. As with so many arts activities here which continue to enrich the communities they spring from the starting point is often limited resources and a non existent budget. In this case it is simply a love of the magic that is cinema and the idea of sharing it.