Local film clubs are being badly affected by the East Dulwich Picturehouse

[IngridB]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Surely the film clubs existed because we didn't

> have a cinema....

>

> I can see some people preferring a club if it

> includes some "club" advantages over a cinema such

> as post movie discussions but i'd be surprised if

> they survived long term tbh.

Yes, I set up the original Dulwich film club, GalleryFilm (the film club of the Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery) in 2005. It is still going 10 years later, although not run by me for the last 3 years, when we set up TBP. Both have been popular and co existed happily together.

TBP mostly has visiting speakers - a film journalist who had interviewed Nina Hoss on Thursday (Phoenix), a professional drummer for Whiplash, and others... There is food and drink and candles and sofas... 'club advantages' I think.

But struggling after 10 years of success, at the exact time a commercial cinema opens up the road, is too much of a coincidence, but what to do?

[IngridB]

Michael Palaeologus Wrote:

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> Interesting that the ED Picturehouse displays

> posters for the Film Club.

>

> I was vaguely aware of the Film Club, but had not

> seen the media identified above.

>

> It could well be that the more Art-house feel of

> the Picturehouse is pulling some people away, but

> it might also be that the Film club needs to shout

> louder and show films that are more attractive to

> film buffs.

>

> The club is rather unfortunately position between

> the ED Picturehouse (for less mainstream fare) and

> the Peckhamplex (for mainstream films shown

> cheaply), perhaps its day is done if it doesnt up

> its game?

What do you mean by 'upping its game'? Choice of films (popular for 10 years)? atmosphere (look at our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thebiggerpic/?ref=hl and see. Perhaps you dont like informality) ? added extras (we have far more than the EDPH - a free bowling alley and white Russians at The Big Labowski in November) ? price (?7, half the EDPG about)?

Tell us how we can up our game, ideas very welcome. Better still, come and help us do it. We are a very friendly group. Many thanks.

[Otta]

IngridB Wrote:

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> but what to do?

Offer interesting stuff that the cinema doesn't.

[Mick Mac]

IngridB.

Thanks for the informative post. And tbe realism. I agree, it's no coincidence.

The Dulwich Picture Gallery cinema club must have been something special I'd imagine. But I was at the members opening night of the ED picture house and it was like being at a west end theatre, people in blazers etc lots of silver hair too. I'd imagine a lot of the village captive audience quite like the set up at the EDPH.

This migration of support would not have happened if EDPH were a standard cinema, but the picture house is such a nice set up and a great place to spend an evening that even a film at the Picture Gallery is probably second best. Your great speakers still offer something different though so who knows.

[Otta]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> This migration of support would not have happened

> if EDPH were a standard cinema,

Whilst I agree that the EDPH is very nice, I don't know how you can be so sure of this statement. I think it's nonsense to be honest.

[Annie07]

I am a volunteer at The Bigger Picture and watch netflix most evenings and Channel 4. The new Walter presents on Channel 4 is showing The Great Beauty and many other films that we as a group have mentioned if not chosen to show at EDT. We cannot compete with C4 and dont want to but need to find films that people want to see that benefit from a big screen. The added value is you are watching with local folk who also like film and can have food and drink in a friendly chatty warm place (or you can be quiet too if you want). All money made on the very cheap tickets go to local charities and we want to continue. We will try and have speakers to come and introduce the films. Let us know if anyone knows anyone local who we can invite, for me as a non film film expert I really enjoy hearing about the film from someone who knows its background or director.

What is the Dulwich Diverter?

[Mick Mac]

Otta Wrote:

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> Mick Mac Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > This migration of support would not have

> happened

> > if EDPH were a standard cinema,

>

>

> Whilst I agree that the EDPH is very nice, I don't

> know how you can be so sure of this statement. I

> think it's nonsense to be honest.

A "Peckham Plex" on Lordship Lane wouldn't have drawn Dulwich Picture Gallery film club types imo. The USP of the upmarket cinemas is a very sophisticated offering and appearance. They are not selling the movie, they are selling the whole evening experience (maybe not unique to picture house cinemas). You may doubt it but a lot of money goes into researching the whole product and its target audience.

I'd add that I'd decide to go to this cinema for an evening and consider booking whatever film is available afterwards.

[Otta]

A peckhamplex would never have opened in lordship lane. Lordship Lane is in East Dulwich. Keep up Mick for God's sake!

[Mick Mac]

Indeed. silly of me.

[IngridB]

Well, I don't know what has happened since the last message on this thread - The Bigger Picture's next film, 'X+Y'- showing tomorrow night, has sold more tickets than we have since the EDPH opened! Was it this conversation that alerted it to people? Is it the choice of film? Is it that spring is coming? We are over the moon!

There are still some tickets available. Details:

X+Y (2014) 12A 111 min

Director Morgan Matthews, with Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins

A socially awkward teenage maths prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.

Thursday 18 February

at the East Dulwich Tavern - upstairs

bar opens for food and drink at 7pm, film starts 8pm

Here is more info about all our forthcoming films: http://www.thebiggerpic.co.uk

Here is where to get tickets online: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/336179

[Otta]

Ingrid, an old friend of mine as co written and produced a film "Sleaford Mods, Invisible Britain". It's being shown on a very limited basis at Picturehouse cinemas around the country. For me this is exactly the sort of thing that film clubs should be trying to show, possibly with Q&As afterwards.

[Mick Mac]

I have seen X+Y and I would call it "interesting"

Even more interesting that these international maths competitions even exist.

[malumbu]

This place looks much cooler:

http://www.deptfordcinema.org/buy-tickets/

Reminds me of my time when I arrived in London with loads of art house (and no doubt subsidised) cinemas including the one screen Ritzy, the Renoir, Screen on Baker Street and others

And at last a return of cinema to LB of Lewisham

[IngridB]

There are a huge number of film clubs in the local area. You can find them all listed and what they are showing on the South East London Film Club Network - https://selondonfilmclubs.wordpress.com/

[LondonMix]

Malumbu- the deptford cinema is showing some good films. I can recommend both Gamorra and The Secret in Their Eyes.

[malumbu]

Good Stuff

I was bought up on the Arts Cinema in the Aston Triangle, Bluecoat School in Liverpool and then totally spoiled by four art house screens in Oxford - the Pheonix (x2), Penultimate Picture Palace, and 'Not the Moulin Rouge'. Not as an undergraduate I hasten to add.