Chocolate, trains and John Barry: York’s movie festival

Linda Speidel, of the South Bank Community Cinema, introduces a movie festival that celebrates our city

 
South Bank Community Cinema is running a York-themed mini film festival this weekend, September 14 and 15, at Clements Hall on Nunthorpe Road, York. It’s part of York 800.

The festival opens on Friday evening at 8pm with the well-loved documentary, Night Mail (1936), featuring the poetry of York-born W H Auden.

The railway theme continues with The General (1926) and a live original musical accompaniment by Kieran White.

Saturday’s programme begins at 11am with a screening of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) in honour of York’s tradition of chocolate making. The matinee film, Madagascar (2005) at 3pm, includes theme music composed by son of York John Barry.

The final feature is Brassed Off (1996), at 7.30pm followed by a Q & A session with the film’s writer and director, and York resident, Mark Herman.

There will also be a free fringe festival, with live music, film footage from local residents and a film prepared by the Yorkshire Film Archive showing life in York around 1912.

Telling Arts will be on hand to talk to gather reminiscences from film-goers as part of the York Stories project, and a number of student short films from recent graduates of York St John University are included alongside the main features and in the fringe, demonstrating the continuing history of film-making associated with York.

• Prices for the main feature films: £4 for non-members, £3 for members
• Under-18s free when accompanied by a paying adult (no more than two under-18s per adult)
• Tickets on sale in advance from Clements Hall and Cycle Heaven, or at the door
• Doors open 30 minutes before each feature. For evening screenings there is an interval and a bar.
• Tea/coffee and biscuits are on sale during the day on Saturday
• Click here for the South Bank Community Cinema website