Thursday Flickers: Thursday Flickers is back!

Screening by Coventry film maker Brian Harley
26 November 2009

Thursday Flickers visitor numbers rocketed through the roof for Brian Harley’s screening. After introducing himself, Brian started off by presenting a Call The Shots show reel. Call The Shots are a Coventry based filmmaking group, which sets out to network and encourage productive, effective and creative relationships. This was followed by his short Egg (2008). In this spoof Brian takes an angle on Alfred Hitchcock’s fear of eggs (ovophobia) and his thriller Psycho, and suggests how such a phobia might have been portrayed by Hitchcock himself. You’re just glad you’re not playing the role of that poor egg. Before Brian showed us The Moustache (2008), we were treated to an Egg- behind-the-scenes trailer.

The Moustache is a comedy that observes the ridiculousness of male vanity and self-perception and how we cope with the opinions and prejudices of others. There were hints of the genius of Woody Allen to be found in the dialogue; a clever piece of discourse. After this he presented another m

aking-of clip, and some drawings from the story board. It was very interesting to see ideas being realized into actual shots.

The evening concluded with the premiere of Scarborough Warning. It was a slightly more experimental piece, which included no dialogue at all. The film centres on a widower reminiscing over his partner. It explores the romance and the tragedy of love and loss and how we memorialise those dearest to us. I felt very moved by it. Brian inserted some director’s trademarks like references to Edward Hopper and lots of cups of tea. All in all Brian’s Thursday Flickers screening was a very successful and inspiring event and I can’t wait to see his new projects. (Photos by Andy Borg)
http://www.shortnightfilms.com/

2010: We’re back!

After a short winter break we’re back on track with an amazing programme. Last Thursday 11th February Motionhouse presented their spectacular dance films. They are a dance company, but not in the classical sense, this group creates remarkable dance theatre, fusing images and action. The projections and the sets combined with acrobatic dancers take your breath away. Many thanks to Mezze and Louise for being present to answer the questions from the public. The Scattered production is still touring throughout England. Don’t miss out!
http://www.motionhouse.co.uk/

More February screenings

18/2: film director Chris Bradley will join us and talk about The Mysteries – In Our Own Words. CAW (Community Arts Workshop) and The Belgrade Theatre have worked together on this exciting project. In this venture the Belgrade Theatre’s Community & Education Company continued its long association with Coventry’s medieval Mystery plays, celebrating stories from the Bible and the Qur’an in an exciting collection of short dramas, readings, live art, film and dance. The Belgrade welcomed around 200 local participants who shared what these fantastic stories mean to them in today’s world.

Belgrade Associate Director, Justine Themen, said “In deciding to take on the Mysteries this summer, we wanted to restore something of their original relationship with their community. The plays were originally performed to make Bible stories accessible to ordinary people, many of whom were unable to read. So there was humour in them, and references to contemporary events and issues as well as retellings of the stories themselves. Furthermore, they weren’t performed by professional actors, but by ordinary people. So we wanted to restore that heritage by giving young people the opportunity to make their own retelling of the stories. Many people are unaware of the shared heritage of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – that many Bible stories are also found in the Qur’an, for example – and we thought this would be a good way to emphasise common ground, whilst exploring differences.”
http://www.belgrade.co.uk/
http://www.communityartsworkshop.org/

25/2: Wasters (feature length film, start time 6pm!)

Wasters is written and directed by Luke Rufo and is the winner of the “Heart of England Film Festival - Best Film Award”. Wasters is a funny and gritty film following six twenty-something’s on a Wednesday night in a Birmingham pub. Their relationships change as they gradually realize they didn't know each other as well as they thought. Slapstick humour, romantic and real, Wasters is screening at multiple festivals around the world. The director, the DP and the editor (James Page) will be present to answer any questions.
http://www.james-page.co.uk/

In the pipeline for March

4/3: Jackdaw with Crowbar is a Leamington band that combines their live performances with film projections. Tonight they will present these projections. Check YouTube for a preview.

See more of Jackdaw with Crowbar:

--> 22/3, 8pm: live performance at Koko’s bar, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa
-->13/3: screening at Eat My Shorts (West Midlands Film Makers Haiti Fundraiser) at Friction Arts/The Edge, 79-81 Cheapside, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QH
--> 27/3: live performance at the Saturday night party of the Flatpack Film Festival Birmingham, supporting a screening of Bruce Bickford's latest film Cas'l. At Vivid, 140 Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham, B9 4AR. Starts at 9pm.

11/3: Project Bandstand – rediscovering Leamington Spa: Warwick University Theatre Studies students want to reclaim the iconic bandstand for the people of Leamington Spa and transform it into a positive symbol again. They will show their installation film footage. Have a look at http://www.projectbandstand.com/

18/3: Luke Colley, Warwickshire College student, has already created an impressive collection of videos, which he will present to you. Have a look at YouTube for a preview.

25/3: ANIMATE! Screenings of animations created by young people during our ANIMATE! workshops lead by artist Gemma Amos. You can see more of her work at www.abrightgem.com/home

Screening opportunities
If you would like to show your work at one of our Thursday Flickers screenings, please contact Tammy Woodrow, tammy.woodrow@warwickdc.gov.uk

Stills from previous screened films

Alan van Wijgerden