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All language films should be shown AS a councillor for the High Street Ward and the ABC cinema in Hoe Street, I first wrote to the ABC cinema owner because of my great concern about the multi-screen cinema that was going to be in Selborne Walk. Once it became obvious that the multi- screen complex was not going to take place, I was informed by the ABC that it was quite happy to stay where it was, and it was only a few months ago that we renewed its licence. Now to read that this cinema is to close down I am quite appalled, not only for the people that use it, all sections of the community, but to read that there is a clause in the contract saying that it is forbidden to show of English-Language films. I’ve had a number of residents phone me, some of Asian origin, who were astonished to read of that clause in the contract. It is against the very basic beliefs of a multi-cultural society that we have in Waltham Forest. Obviously I will be taking this problem up with the appropriate authority and hope positive action will be taken so that all- language films are able to be shown as they have done over the past 70 years. BOB WHEATLEY, High Street Ward Councillor, Liberal Democrats, Palmerston Road, Walthamstow. Waltham Forest Guardian November 30, 2000.
Write to Uncle Ernie in support I AM a Walthamstow resident of 80 years in this borough and I was appalled to read in the Guardian last week of the sale of our one and only cinema — the Granada (yes, it is still known as that by Walthamstow residents). Asian films only indeed. Whatever next? Who wants to travel out of the borough to go to an English-language film? Ernie Mills is quite right in all he has said on this subject, especially regarding the children’s Saturday morning films. Good for you, Uncle Ernie. I hope you get much needed support. Get writing, Walthamstow residents, and protest about this disgraceful decision. MRS D. CLARK, Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow. Waltham Forest Guardian November 30, 2000.
Letters All cultures lose in cinema closure I AM writing to thank the dedicated staff of the old ABC cinema, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, who recently put together a highly informative booklet celebrating the building’s 70 continuous years of operation. Odeon’s decision to sell the cinema and restrict the films it may show is sheer corporate greed at the public’s expense and I for one will be boycotting Odeon cinemas from now on. A Bollywood-only cinema represents a big reduction in choice for all Walthamstow residents, including Asians. Not all Asians speak Hindi, the main language of Bombay movies, and many would prefer the arthouse films of Satiyjat Ray and others to the inane, glossy musicals pumped out by Bollywood More importantly, as C. F. Stuart pointed out in your letters page, Asian films already have plenty of cinema outlets, not to mention a large number of satellite channels and video stores. Odeon’s legally questionable restrictions on the film choice provided by the new owner undermines the protection of this unique and valuable building by jeopardising its viability. All Walthamstow residents should urge the council to be more pro-active in protecting the interests of film goers and support moves to remove the restrictive clause. Without concerted action, the downward spiral of choice will continue, even though it would be easy to plan for a brighter future. Imagine lots of mainstream films being shown at a new multiplex near the station with the Hoe Street cinema becoming as famous and fashionable as the Rio and Everyman cinemas by being dedicated to a wider range of arthouse and other films in various languages. The borough could transform itself into a cinema-lovers’ paradise but we must act now to make this possible. NIAZ ALAM Byron Road, Walthamstow. Waltham Forest Guardian December 7, 2000.
Why not open a derelict cinema? I EXPECT like nearly all your readers, I was quite shocked by the announcement of the closure, without notice. of the last cinema in Waltham Forest to all but a small minority audience. I was equally appalled at your paper’s feeble treatment of this highly dubious affair. Does your editorial staff not have the smallest trace of a critical faculty? We read that Mr Sharma knows nothing at all about running a cinema, but that he bought it because his wife "fell in love with the building". How large is the non TV-watching local audience for Punjabi films, compared with that for English-language pictures — 30,000 maybe, to fill three screens? It cannot conceivably be a genuine paying proposition. And if he is so avid to show minority. language films, why could Mr Sharma not use one of the many small derelict cinemas that litter Leyton and Walthamstow? Or why not wait the two years until the pro posed new multiplex opens? And what about the Odeon’s part in this whole murky business? C. F. STUART, Belgrave Road, Walthamstow. Waltham Forest Guardian November 30, 2000.
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