Citizen 63 - Making History 'Reel'
By Dr. Justin Smith, (Portsmouth Film Society committee).
"It was a cold night, and I had a cold too, so maybe that's why I came out of the latest PFS archive screening (part of the BBC Reel History project), slightly reeling myself. But I'm more inclined to think it was something to do with being part of an extraordinary event which, in its own small way, made history.
"15 year-old Marion Knight from Portsmouth was the subject of the third of a five-episode documentary series entitled Citizen 63, made for BBC Bristol in 1962. It was directed by John Boorman - a couple of years before his 'Swinging Sixties' breakthrough Catch Us If You Can (featuring the Dave Clark Five). But this fascinating documentary caught that moment of transition, which Larkin so neatly summarised, 'between the lifting of the Lady Chatterley ban and the Beatles first LP'.
Marion, a remarkably articulate and unselfconscious subject, is the epitome of that gentle, imaginative rebellion, in its first flush of youth. The product of a progressive education at John Pounds Secondary Modern School, Marion is no Eleven Plus 'failure', but an intelligent spokeswoman for a group of friends who question the received wisdom of organised religion, who debate the risks of 'free love' (aka sex before marriage), who critique ideals of family life, and who campaign to 'ban the bomb'. Against the backdrop of a Portsmouth where wartime bombsites have yet to yield their rubble to the foundations of high-rise development, these enterprising youngsters transform a local church hall into a skiffle-den of a youth club. They hang out like attitudinal beatniks by the Waltzer at Southsea fun-fare (in a scene which anticipates the nostalgic treatment of That'll Be The Day). And they swim, and sing, and smoke and sunbathe on the dunes of Hayling Beach.
"But last night was about so much more than an evocative slice of local period history. That was because Marion Knight herself was in attendance, along with friends from the film. Re-united by Portsmouth cultural historian Dr. Dave Allen, who introduced the screening, their participation was more than poignant. It was an example of community history in the making.
"Marion spoke, briefly, with the same measured self-assurance of her youth. And discussion ensued. But what was important for me was not what was said itself. Rather, it is the way that local film from the past can generate such a powerful presence. And this reel/real history is so much more vivid (more authentic if you will) than our familiar televisual cliches of the Swinging Sixties. If there's an enthusiasm for archival film which can bring local people together to share our collective memories - and on the strength of three successful PFS/BBC events at the Omega Centre I believe there is - then we are really making history real/reel."
Portsmouth Film Society presents more Pompey History on screen.
The Film society’s first very successful Reel History event featured pre-war films, many of which celebrated Civic Events and Naval or Royal occasions.
This second show, on the 7 February at the Omega Centre, Portsmouth offers two 30 minute films which bookend the ‘Swinging Sixties’. The later one from the 1970s is from a series of British travelogue shorts that were screened in cinemas before the main feature. There are many shots of a city in transition, recovering still from the extensive war damage and a voice over from American screen star Telly ‘Kojak’ Savalas.
That film is perhaps unsurprising in its general focus on the City Centre and maritime connections but the second film is an unusual and highly significant view of the early 1960s made by the BBC. It centres on teenager Marion Knight and her teenage friends including her schooldays. Marion was a pupil at John Pounds Secondary School which the young director John Boorman believed was remarkable at that time in its innovative approach.
The film shows Marion studying as a Nursery Nurse and talking frankly about her home life and the social mores of the time. We see the importance to her group of friends of some popular music, socialising and fashion but also of more significant issues like the ‘Cold War’ and Nuclear Disarmament.
Marion is remarkably articulate and the film documents a moment of significant change for young people. It was broadcast in September 1963 in a television series called “Citizen ‘63” and caused some controversy locally at the time. The director John Boorman went on to enjoy success with feature films like Deliverance, Hope and Glory and Excalibur.
Hopefully that the screening will be attended by some of the people who appeared in the film. There will be an introduction and discussion led by Dr Dave Allen who runs the Pompey Pop project which documents this period in the city’s history.
GREEN FILMS WANTED
Call for film submissions:
1 minute short film Competition callling filmmakers to create a 1 minute films responding to environmental themes of water, air and earth. The best entries will be screened as part of the Green Film Week screenings. Deadline for entries 10 April 2012 For an entry form, click here:
PORTSMOUTH FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS POMPEY’S PAST
Portsmouth Film Society is taking part in the BBC series of events celebrating local history through archive film, in partnership with the Wessex Film and Sound Archive. Join PFS at the Omega Centre on Wednesday 16 November at 6pm for a look back at Portsmouth and Southsea’s history on the big screen. The hour-long programme includes George VI’s coronation visit as recorded by Portsmouth Cine Club, a rare documentary The Way to the Sea (1936) introduced by Portsmouth historian Dr. Dave Allen, and a talk from local artist Jez Stevens whose project "No Diving" uses archival footage from local amateur filmmakers taken at the Hilsea Lido.
The Way to the Sea, made by Strand Films in 1936, was produced by one of the key figures of the pre-war documentary film movement, Paul Rotha (1907-1984). It combines an impressionistic history of the South Coast and Portsmouth’s maritime heritage with reportage on the electrification of the London-Portsmouth railway line, culminating in state-of-the-nation reflections upon impending European conflict. This fifteen-minute documentary features some fine photo-montage of the city and seaside, poetic commentary by W. H. Auden, and a musical score by Benjamin Britten.
Portsmouth Film Society’s Dr. Justin Smith is a film historian in the University’s School of Creative Arts, Film and Media. “The Way to the Sea is a wonderfully evocative period-piece,” he says. “It captures the mood of the mid-1930s, celebrating industrial progress and the growth of popular leisure, and it puts historic Portsmouth centre stage, anticipating the city’s vital role in World War II.”
Entry is £2 or free for full PFS members.
Portsmouth Film Society’s Black History Month 2011 in October
Celebrate culture and diversity in Portsmouth with Portsmouth Film Society with film screenings, talks and exhibitions
Portsmouth Film society presents two events to celebrate black culture and diversity for Black History Month, with screenings of two wonderful new films. There is the award winning documentary Benda Bilili and the powerful drama Life Above All, talks and introduction from local speakers, and new work by Portsmouth based Congolese filmmakers.
21 October, Friday
Omega Centre
6.30pm doors Open
Introduction for Anthony Ndikanwu exhibition
6.45pm Afro Caribbean buffet,
Soft drinks
7.15 pm Opening Talk from Guest speaker
in association with PRENO (TBC)
7.30pm. Film Screening "Life, Above All" South Africa | Germany
Directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz
"Life, Above All" is a emotional and universal drama about a young girl (stunningly performed by first-time-actress Khomotso Manyaka) who fights the fear and shame that have poisoned her community.
22 October, Saturday
Omega Centre
6.30pm doors Open
7.00pm Intro Talk : CADRE Manager Kayembe Mbombo Irenee ( Congolese Actions for Democracy and Right to Education )
7.15pm Screening of CADRE’s 2 Soap Opera “Maisha’ about
(The Congolese and African community, primarily in Portsmouth but of wider interest to other Congolese and African migrant communities.)
Soft Drinks
8.00pm Film Screening : “Benda Billili” (Democratic Republic of Congo | France)
Directors: Renaud Barret, Florent de La Tullaye
Summer 2009. Five paraplegics and a young able-bodied teenager light up the stage in front of an entranced audience of 8000 people. "Benda Bilili" - in English "See Beyond", is the name of this Kinshasa band which has acquired a global following. Chances of success were slim at first for these homeless handicapped artists who struggled to survive on the streets of their dilapidated capital.
Also: two week exhibition (18-31 October) from Nigerian artist Anthony Ndikanwu in Omega Centre. The exhibition subject will be pictures and statues from African Culture.
Portsmouth Film Society / WEA video courses.
Omega Centre is starting new film courses and projects.
Please let your friends know about these courses and projects.
21 September 16.00-18.00 Wednesday Film Edit Course - 10 Week
24 September 10.00-12.00 Saturday - Intro Video Course- 10 Week
More details are in the flyer attached to this post below.
15 October OMEGA FILMMAKERS' Production Course
This course is suitable for those who want to develop their filmmaking experience further and explore visual arts and interpersonal skills. The group will make a film about educational issues in the UK and culture clash in a year long period. Stage 2 will start January 2012, 4hrs a week. If you are unemployed or in receipt of benefits, the course is free.
3 November ACTION IN SPACE Film production
This is a special opportunity for adults with learning disabilities in the local area. The group will make a 5min short film about outer-space and will learn to use camera and work in different crew roles. An induction Course will find learners’ expectations and goals. The course will start January, Thursday 5pm-8.00-pm. Portsmouth Film Society host a public screening of the film in May 2012
Any question please email to Dawn Hope from Omega Centre:
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Portsmouth Film Society Honoured at National Awards
photo (c) 2011 Ivan Lieman Photography.
Portsmouth Film society had a very successful night at the annual British Federation of Film Societies' awards ceremony on Saturday 17 September, bringing home a haul of 5 awards, special mentions and commendations. Portsmouth Film Society's chairperson Aysegul Epengin and society secretary Tara Fisher attended the awards to collect commendations for the society's education programme, and in the category of best new society, as the society was founded within the last two years. In addition, Ms Epengin received a commendation for an outstanding contribution by an individual, for her work in founding and developing the film society.
In the overall category of Film Society of the Year, Portsmouth FIlm Society received a special mention from the jury. Portsmouth Film society was an overall winner in the award for community programme. Ms Epengin said "We are particularly proud to win the community award, as it is a tribute to the work the society has done in creating links local organisations such as the Workers Educational Association, Portsmouth Racial Equality Network, Portsmouth Multi-cultural Group, Portsmouth Climate Action Network, Portsmouth Festivities, the University and Portsmouth College. We will continue to develop and organise events that are relevant to all sections of the Portsmouth community in the future, such as our upcoming event with the BBC and Wessex Film and Sound archive, presenting memories and images of Portsmouth history on film."
Portsmouth Film Society was founded as a not-for-profit society in in the winter of 2009 as a way to bring different kinds of cinema to Portsmouth, including independent films, British movies, foreign language cinema and classic revivals. The British Federation of Film Societies supports many of the 300 film societies in the country, and the annual awards celebrate the best achievements among those societies.
(c) 2011 Ivan Lieman Photography.
Portsmouth Film Society presents with Portsmouth Festivities SPACE ON SCREEN
Click the image to see the Youtube Trailer!
Four Classic Science fiction films on the big screen at No 6 Cinema, Action Stations, Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth, and The Kings Theatre, Albert Road Southsea.
Saturday 18 June – 7.30pm, Action Stations, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) (Cert U). Read more…
£4 (£3 conc, £1 U18) – Event code : PF05
Sunday 19 June – 7.30pm, Kings Theatre, Southsea.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) (Cert PG) Read more…
£4 (£3 conc, £1 U18) – Event code : K02
Monday 20 June – 7.30pm, Action Stations, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Alien (Director’s Cut) (1979) (Cert 15). Read more…
£4 (£3 conc, £1 U18) – Event code : PF12
Tuesday 21 June – 6pm Action Stations, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Things to Come (1936) (Cert PG) Read more…
£4 (£3 conc, £1 U18) – Event code :: PF18
Click www.portsmouthfestivities.co.uk/?page_id=779 for more information.
BFFS Awards 2010
Portsmouth Film Society were proud to be nominated in two categories for this year's British Federation of Film Societies awards. In the end we came away with commendations in the categories for Best New Society and Best Programme. We're very happy at this recognition, especially for our first year, and hope that we can continue this success. We'd like to thank all our supporters and partners, WEA, Portsmouth College, PATCH, Screen South, PRENO, Red Monk, Anorak Shack and Goldsmith Productions who have helped us develop in our first year. Thanks also to our committee who have worked so hard, but most of all to our audience and members who make Portsmouth Film Society what it is. We hope we can do even better for you in our coming years.
Also, look forward to a special announcement regarding some of our upcoming screenings in the near future!
PFS events for May
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
(Sweden 2008)
At The Omega Centre
Tuesday 3 May, 7:30pm.
One of the most acclaimed films of the past decade is also one of the most original, distinctive and beautifully made horror movies of all time. The film takes the familiar elements of the vampire story and uses them in fresh and innovative ways. The film also makes the most of its chilly bleak environment, and is a beautiful piece of work by Dutch cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and is sure to look great on the Omega Centre's High Definition projector.
TURKISH NIGHT: THE MARKET
(Turkey 2008)
At The Omega Centre
Tuesday 17 May,
Subtitled "A Tale of Trade" this tells the story of Mihram, a black marketeer trying to make a living in a small Turkish town in the early nineties, steering a tortuous path between the authorities, criminal gangs, friends and family, and his own conscience. The film was made by the inventive itinerate british director Ben Hopkins, who was the first non Turkish director to take the prestigious Golden Orange prize for best film at the Antalya film festival in Turkey.
The screening will be part of a Turkish theme night, with Turkish nibbles and a Belly dance show. Doors open at 6:30pm, the evening's events start at 7pm, the film begins at 7:30.
LOCAL FILM SHOWCASE
Tuesday 24 May, 2011
Omega Centre
Young people's film showcase. Come sample the future of filmmaking in Portsmouth, bright new talent. Come help us celebrate, meet the makers, and see their films. Also a special public premiere of the West Street film project.
Supported by Portsmouth City Council.
Film 7pm (Doors Open 6:30pm) £2 entry.
FUTURE SHORTS Short film screening in Southsea.
On Saturday 14th May, the Royal Marines Museum will be taking part in the largest simultaneous short film event in the world, breaking boundaries, boarders and conventions to connect a global audience to the worlds’ best film makers. Many of the short films have won esteemed prizes at the world’s most prestigious festivals and awards ceremonies, including the Oscars, Cannes, Bafta, Clermont-Ferrand and others.
To see more go to www.futureshorts.com/ONE/
PFS events for April
This April we have some more great events. We start of next week, on Tuesday 5 April with the Korean thriller Mother - an intense film about a woman whose son is accused of a terrible crime. Korean movies have gained a high profile in the last decade, due to the success of Oldboy, and Mother comes from the writer director Joon-Ho Bong who rose to international prominence with his smart and thrilling monster movie The Host.
On April 23 there is the opportunity to join a one day filmmaking workshop organised PFS, to learn how to make your very own movies! The final short film will be screened in the main auditorium of Omega centre by PFS. Contact
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to book a place - cost £5.
Finally on 26 April, with Portsmouth Climate Action Network, we have a special event showing two documentaries about climate change:Beyond the Tipping Point (left), and In Transition. Entry for this special event is just £1 for non members. Hope to see you at this month's events.
www.transistionculture.org
www.beyondthetippingpoint.com
No.6 Cinema Public Forum
"Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust would like to invite you to a Public Forum to discuss the future of the No.6 Cinema on Monday 18 April 2011 at 6.30pm (doors open at 6pm).
The forum will take place at the No.6 Cinema in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard hosted by Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, with guest speakers from Portsmouth Film Society, Portsmouth City Council and Maxwell Communications who are all offering their ful...l support to the reopening of the cinema free of charge.
If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on how we could improve the cinema and increase awareness, we would be happy to listen to you and seriously consider your suggestions so they are included in the new business model. In September, we will reopen the cinema and hopefully secure its future on a more financially robust basis.
Please do confirm your attendance by emailing
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so we can gauge how many we are likely to expect. Alternatively, please write to Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, 19 College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ.
Light refreshments will be available to purchase, admission is free."
PFS events for March.
We're some great events coming up in March. We're very proud to have director Dominic Lees come to present and talk about his award winning drama "Outlanders" which will play on 8 March, at the Omega Centre. Dominic studied film in Warsaw under the great directors Krzysztof Zanussi and Krzysztof Kieslowski and has had a successful career in TV drama. Outlanders has won five major awards at international film festivals: Best Film and Best Director at the Bragacine Festival of Independent Film (Portugal, 2007), Best Feature Film and Foreign Critics Award at the Festival Cine Pobre (Cuba, 2008) and Best Actor for Jakub Tolak at the Ourense International Film Festival (Spain, 2008).
The story, written by Dominic and Jimmy Gardner concerns Adam, a young polish man who, after his father's death, Adam hitchhikes to London from Poland to find his brother, a former Polish football star, now supplying illegal migrant workers to the construction industry in London. The film presents a powerful story with Adam thrust into shady world forced to make a difficult moral choice. The film also presents a striking view of London from an outsider's perspective.
Dominic says of the film "I'm fascinated by the intense bonds that exist between brothers, so I wanted to tell a story that tested this love to the point of destruction. In my family I'm the youngest of three; my co-writer is the eldest of four boys, so we had a lot to contrast and compare. We wanted to make a powerful moral story based on these ideas."
Make sure you come down to Omega Centre on Tuesday 8 March to hear this talented filmmaker talk about his work in person.
later inthe month we have two other great films. The Marx brothers classic "A Night At The Opera" will be playing at the Kings Theatre on Sunday 20 March. Make sure you're there for a night of Madcap laughter, with the film that features some of Groucho, Chico and Harpo's most memorable routines.
Then on Tuesday 22 March, we'll be showing the latest film from legendary director Francis Ford Coppola. Tetro is the tale of two brothers, who try to reconcile a dark past, bound up with their deceased, domineering father. The film is a beautifully shot family drama, returning to some of the themes of family and buried guilt that Coppola explored in so memorably in the Godfather films. Tetro's fantastically photographed black and white vision of Buenos Aires will be presented in Blu Ray hi definition.
Full programme details for March are here.
PFS on Portsmouth Live TV
In October Ayse and Chris from PFS were interviewed by Sally Cronin on Portsmouth Live TV about the film society. You can see the interview online by clicking here.
Portsmouth Live TV is Portsmouth's own local free internet TV channel. You can find their homepage atwww.portsmouthlive.tv.
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Film Society of the Year Awards 2010
Portsmouth Film society has been nominated for two awards in the Film Society of the Year Awards 2010 held at the annual British Federation of Film Societies national conference in London. The BFFS National Conference is the only national event dedicated to the needs and interests of film societies and not-for-profit community cinemas. It is the annual opportunity to get together, share ideas and celebrate community exhibition.
The awards will be held on the Saturday 18 September and Portsmouth Film Society has nominations in two categories, Best Programme and Best New Film Society.
Wish us luck!
PFS in Hi DEF!
Thanks to a grant from PATCH (Portsmouth Action Team for Community Harmony) and continued support from WEA South, Portsmouth Film Society has been able to upgrade to Hi Definition. The Projector in the Omega Centre hall was already a 1280x720 HD projector, and with some technical improvements we are now able to take full advantage of that quality. We've taken delivery of a top of the line Sony BDP 760 Blu Ray player with a direct digital connection to the projector. CONTACT, playing from a Blu-Ray HD disc will be our first HD presentation
In future, whenever possible we will screen our films from Blu Ray discs to present the best quality presentation. Even standard DVD's will see an improvement in Picture quality, making colours stronger and clearer and the image sharper. In addition many Blu Ray discs, especially of classic films, feature higher quality transfers so it's your chance to see such films at the best they've looked since their original premiere!
PORTSMOUTH FILM FESTIVAL 2010
"The Portsmouth Film Festival is an annual celebration of all kinds of film. This year the 5th festival returns from Thurs 23rd to Sun 26th September 2010 with one long weekend of film events, features, shorts, installations and workshops exploring the darker and lighter side of the seaside including a unique showing of The Who’s Tommy that was filmed on location in Southsea set to live music.
The centre piece of this year's festival will be an exclusive showing of music legends The Who’s 1975 musical film, Tommy at Southsea’s Kings Theatre.
To truly bring the story to life, Portsmouth Film Festival is filming a short documentary about the making of Tommy and want to hear from anyone who may have connections with the film or remembers the time during the filming in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth plays a huge part in Tommy with many locations featuring in the film including Fort Nelson, Southsea Pier and the Kings Theatre.
Filming took place during the time when South Parade Pier caught fire and smoke can actually be seen in several shots. It is moments like these that we at PFF want to find out more about so if you have a story to tell surrounding the making of Tommy, then get in touch via Facebook or email
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The long weekend festival will be kicked off with a scooter rally on Albert road, Southsea followed by a showing of the Mod cult, seaside classic Quadrophenia in the Kings Theatre; whilst across the road, The Loft will be rocking with its own unique showing of Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider. The mods and rockers themed night will be brought to a close with Portsmouth’s very own indie rock band, Kill Kasper.
Other events planned include a South Coast Premiere of Danny Dyer’s latest film The Last Seven, Q&A sessions with film makers, video making workshops, exhibitions and short film screenings will be shown at various venues around the city of Portsmouth."
More information at the new Portsmouth Film Festival website.
SHORTS CUT 2010 screenings at The Kings Theatre and 3rd Floor Arts Centre
Shorts::Cut organises screenings in Portsmouth and Southsea, of short films by regional filmmakers, this year, in partnership with The University of Portsmouth and The Kings Theatre, Southsea.This year, the first screening will be held at the famous King's Theatre Southsea. Tickets The screenings will take place on August 15 at 7pm.
The Kings Theatre
Albert Road
Southsea
PO5 2QJ
Tickets: £3 advance, £4 on the door
Phone: Box Office (023) 92 828282
The second screening will be at the 3rd Floor Arts Centre in the Menuhin Hall on the big screen, times TBC.
3rd Floor Arts Centre
Central Library
Guildhall Square Portsmouth
PO1 2DX
Tickets: price TBA
Short films made in Portsmouth and the surrounding area could also win the award for Best Local film at The Guide Award 2010, organised by The News. Last year's winner was "Less Than Romantic". For more information, go to our page for The Guide award for Best Local Short Film.More information at the Shorts::Cut website:www.shortscut.org.uk
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