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A phoenix rises from the ashes? Necessity is the mother of invention, or so they say. And it seems an innovative and exciting film club will come out of the fiasco surrounding the cinema in Hoe Street, Walthamstow. The newly formed McGuffin Film Club hopes to show French, German, Polish and Turkish films-- anything but English language films, which are banned by restr8ictive clause in the current contract between Odeon and EMD. Jo Brind, one of the mangement committee of the fledgling club, said: "We believe this will turn what has been a cultural disaster for Waltham Forest into a great opportunity for local people to see wonderful films from all over the world, except Hollywood. "This club will not get off the ground unless we get the enthusiastic support of the local community." The club hopes to start showing films in late February or early March on Friday evenings.And the high praise for the Chinese Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, shows there is clearly an appetite for foeign language films. As things stands the EMD can only show films in "one of the ethnic languages of India"-- whether McGuffin can use the historic cinema depends on persuading Odeon, which sold the cinema, to allow other languages. Mr Brind says the club members are optimistic the cinema chain will give the concession: "After all the Odeon group shows very few foreign language films at its cinemas so we would not be competing with it. We have all the British Film Institute's catalogue at our disposal but we would only show foreign films." But the signs so far from Odeon, which claims to be "fanatical about film", are not encouraging. Even if the club doesn't get its preferred location, there are other options, such as the Ross Wyld Hall and the Theatre, Lloyd Park. The name McGuffin is a reference to local born film director Sir Alfred Hitchcock. A McGuffin is a plot devise, a detail that drives the plot, but turns out to be insignificant. Unfortunately, the club will never be able to show a Hitchcock film since the portly director of suspense films only made English movies. "McGuffin will have to go off without a Hitch," said Mr Brind. The club expects to lose money in its first year of operation as it will only charge about £5 for tickets. It is planning to recruit supporting members who will pay £10 a year and make a real financial contribution to the club. But there is also membership at £3 a household, for those who can't afford the £10 rate, intended to ensure that the club is all inclusive. Members will be posted details of events and encouraged to suggest films for the coming season. "Membership will cover everyone who lives in the same house and has been priced to pay the cost of posting details of future programmes." The club has already created a web site asking potential members to tell them what language films they would prefer to see. The web sit, which is already up and running, allows people to suggest their fabourite foreign film. To get involved phone 8558 5527 or visit www.mcguffin.co.uk Waltham Forest Guardian, January 18, 2001.
Film buffs go foreign as owner seeks English shows A group of film lovers have announced the formation of a club dedicated to foreign films which they hope they will be able to screen at the former ABC cinema in Hoe Street,Walthamstow. At the same time the new owner of the cinema was in talks with former owner Odeon to try to change a clause limiting the films shown to Asian or Bollywood films. Story then turns from the front page to page 14 Owner seeks permission to show English films Filmhouse seeks to turn back on Eastern promise The new owner of the recently opened Bollywood cinema was in talks with former owner Odeon last week to request permission to show English language and non-Indian foreign films. The talks, the results of which have not yet been disclosed, came at the same time as it was announced other foreign language films might be shown at the EMD Cinema in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, in addition to the Asian films Chigwell businessman Mohan Sharma can show under the conditions of the sale. A spokesman for Odeon confirmed talks had taken place but added: "It's quite a commercially sensitive issue and nothing has been officially announced." Plans for international films to be shown at the cinema by new film club McGuffin, however, will delight local foreign film fanatics. If the clause is varied the first non Bollywood foreign film to be shown at the EMD will be in late February or early March. McGuffin member Jo Brind said: "Mr Sharma is hopeful that Odeon will agree to what is a very minor alteration. Odeon shows very few foreign language films at its cinemas, so we would not be competing with it." But this is unlikely to appease those whose idea of a good Saturday film is a Hollywood blockbuster. Ernie Mills, one of the longest serving employees at the cinema, said when the take over and the subsequent restrictions were announced: "That place is like my second home, and it's a real shame. The Saturday morning pictures were such a big part of Walthamstow life." There are rumours of plans to open a six screen multiplex and arts centre in the area,which would mean Walthamstow would then have all aspects of film to suit the diverse cultures in the area. All films shown by McGuffin will have English subtitles to maximise the potential audience. But the club is also expected to attract an audience from the borough's substantial foreign language speaking minorities. "The club will not get off the ground unless we get the enthusiastic support of the local community," said Mr Brind. Mr Brind can be contacted on 020 8558 5527, or you can visit the McGuffin web site for more information at www.mcguffin.co.uk Yellow Advertiser, January 17, 2001. |
