Exploding cinema

Exploding Cinema is both the name for a London-based film collective and the name for regular short film screenings that the collective organises.

Overview

Anybody can screen their film at the Exploding Cinema; the programme is totally open access, on a first come - first shown basis.[1] Between 1992 and 1999, the group put on over 80 events in 21 different venues showcasing around 1300 films by 700 film makers.[2]

Film maker Asif Kapadia profiled Exploding Cinema in a 30 minute program for BBC Radio 4 in 2011.[3]

History

The Exploding Cinema was founded at the Cooltan Arts Centre, a squatted suntan lotion factory in Brixton, South London in 1991.[1] The Cooltan was an underground arts complex with a theatre, gallery, practical workshops and regular raves. The original group was mostly film makers and the earliest shows were made up of their own films and performances.[4]

From the early 1990s onwards, the collective became the key agent in the resurgence of underground cinema in Britain.[5] Through screenings, events, agitation and propaganda they developed and inspired a new popular movement of independent live cinema and D.I.Y. filmmaking.[6] Over twenty five years the group has screened thousands of unfunded no-budget films/videos in pubs, squats, clubs, microcinemas and cafes. They staged one off shows in disused factories, ships, museums, car parks, roofs, a circus tent and an outdoor swimming pool.[7] Internationally they have staged shows in Ireland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malta, North America and Australia.[8]

An offshoot of the group operated in Amsterdam.[9]

References
  1. EG Perry, Kevin (6 December 2014). "Exploding Cinema: the DIY projectors". Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  2. Szczelkun, Stefan. "Chapter 11 - Exploding Cinema 1992 - 1999, culture and democracy". Exploding Cinema 1992 - 1999, culture and democracy. PhD Thesis Royal College of Art. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  3. Kapadia, Asif (2011). "4 Extra - Exploding Cinema". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  4. Urban75. "A Short History of the Cooltan". Urban75. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  5. Reekie, Duncan (2007). Subversion : the Definitive History of Underground Cinema. London: Wallflower Press. pp. 187–208. ISBN 978-1-905674-21-3.
  6. Rees, A.L. (1999). A History of Experimental Film and Video. London: the British Film Institute. p. 119. ISBN 0-85170-681-9.
  7. Eimer, D. (1991). "Going Off the Deep End". The Face. 2 (60).
  8. Szczelkun, Stefan. "Exploding Cinema 1992 - 1999, culture and democracy". Exploding Cinema 1992 - 1999, culture and democracy. PhD Thesis Royal College of Art. Archived from the original on 3 August 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  9. Kenner, Rob (10 January 1999). "My Hollywood". Wired. Retrieved 6 April 2019.

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