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It
was a variation of the classic "lets-do-the-show-right-here"
approach that led Kiri Lewin to create Fresh Films - and bring indie
cinema to New Cross, SE14.
Kiri
and her team of volunteers now programme screenings in the walled
garden at Cafe Crema restaurant in New Cross Road, inviting audiences
to become involved in planning one-off nights and themed runs of
movies.
Recent
films have included Italian classics Il Postino and Bicycle
Thieves, with more titles in the celluloid pipeline.
Here
in a first-person account, Kiri - a co-ordinator of an Awards scheme
for young Londoners - explains how she turned her idea into reality
and where Fresh Films goes from here:
reel
one
"This
idea has been brewing with me for a while. I think it was probably
the result of one or two classic events.
The
first was a screening of The Cider House Rules at Hay-on-Wye
in a village hall. It was fantastic, a really special night with
a bizarre pre-war atmosphere and BYO bottles of wine and sandwiches.
The
film reels broke at one stage and while they were being fixed, I
remember standing outside in the freezing cold chatting to strangers
and thinking 'what a great way to meet new people you might never
have spoken to in another life'.
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The
classic Stella Artois summer screen experience
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The
second memory is the Stella Artois summer screening of Butch
Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, such a fantastic, romantic and
unique experience!
I began
to think it was a shame that all the summer screenings in London
seemed to be a long ride away, and that a lot of people must miss
out because they can't face getting back on to public transport
after a long day - or that they'd just like something local.
Then
it also struck me that these were generally one-offs, and the audience
didn't get to participate in the choice of film….so, gradually
I put things together and came up with the Fresh Films project...
reel
two
"In
August I finally put pen to paper and applied for some start up
funding from a Millennium Trust.
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Reel
life: Cinema Paradiso is a reflection on life and falling
under the spell of cinema
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I was
successful and started doing some research - as I don't have the
first idea about films and only
wanted to put on the type of event I'd be tempted to go to - to
see if I was the only one!
After
advertising by accosting people at the bus stop and on the East
London Line, I had a team of volunteers on board, meeting up at
Café Crema for a meal and a chat.
Then
we got the posters made up and couldn't turn back without looking
silly... so we carried on.
Had
a fantastic launch night with an unexpected flamenco guitarist turning
up to play, and are now approaching our second screening...
reel
three
"What
we want to do next includes a mini-festival for children and parents
with a free creche, party events with new films and - of course
- screenings for those quality features that don't always get an
airing on the big screen.
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Neglected
directors such as Federico Fellini will be put under the spotlight
by Fresh Films
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We
plan on setting up Fresh Films as a charity so that we can access
bigger pots of funding to buy mobile cinema equipment and find a
long-term, permanent venue to use as a base.
We
all work full-time too, so things don't always move so fast, but
there's loads of enthusiasm and energy out there and I have a really
good feeling about it.
Just
have to keep on getting those ideas out - your suggestions are really
welcome!"
Contact:
freshfilmslondon
More
on London's indie cinema here
More
about London and film here
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