- Sep 4, 2020

"The Show Must Go On" for Independent Cinema

Luke Walwyn encourages supporting your local independent cinema.

Male model wearing a dickie bow, carrying 2 giant film reels.

Get Yet Geek On - Animated gif from fashion editorial for Voir Fashion Magazine. Image © Luke Walwyn. Click image to see full editorial.

"I feel there is no substitute for going to the movies. There is nothing like it." Steven Spielberg.

Cinemas across the world have been opening their doors to the public for a good month now, so you can find a reason to leave the sofa behind and enjoy the experience of losing yourself in the big screen.

But, rather than follow the crowd to the multiplex cinema with 1000 screens, now is the time to support local independent cinema; ones who bring you cultural contributions from some of the world's best filmmakers. These are the cinemas who will find it much harder to survive through these uncertain times, both financially, and with turnout owing to the added difficulties of ensuring safety for cinemagoers during the pandemic.

In view of this, I have dug into the archives to bring you a poignant fashion editorial I photographed and art directed for Voir Fashion magazine in 2015 to bring the subject into conversation. Shot exclusively at Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds, we captured some of the splendours that this gas-lit arthouse cinema has to offer.

The Hyde Park were gracious in allowing us the entire use of this cinema and Grade II listed 1914 building, which boasts many original features, such as an ornate balcony, external box office and is the only remaining gaslit cinema in the UK.

Above - Director's Cut: "Get Yer Geek On" editorial for Voir Fashion Magazine A/W 15-16. Images © Luke Walwyn. See credits below.

"We want everyone to have access to cinema that nourishes the soul and changes lives."

Innovation to survive

The Hyde Park Picture House have been truly innovative and created many ways that you can support them; by donating to their Response Fund, purchasing gift vouchers or simply buying some of their merchandise.

https://www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk/

A photograph of Hyde Park Picture House Leeds

The Grade II listed Hyde Park Picture House Leeds

The Independent Cinema Office (UK’s national body in support of independent cinemas, film festivals and exhibitors of all forms) have created a list of independent cinemas by region of the country. They work in partnership with venues across the UK to understand their needs and produce diverse, sustainable and bespoke programmes that work for each cinema. And if you still need convincing that your support for independent cinema is a true act of altruism, perhaps their mission statement could prompt you into action: "We want everyone to have access to cinema that nourishes the soul and changes lives."

Act now, before those ominous words that we are so used to seeing hit those independent screens, signal The End!