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
editAnybody 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b EG Perry, Kevin (6 December 2014). "Exploding Cinema: the DIY projectors". Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kapadia, Asif (2011). "4 Extra - Exploding Cinema". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ Urban75. "A Short History of the Cooltan". Urban75. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Reekie, Duncan (2007). Subversion : the Definitive History of Underground Cinema. London: Wallflower Press. pp. 187–208. ISBN 978-1-905674-21-3.
- ^ Rees, A.L. (1999). A History of Experimental Film and Video. London: the British Film Institute. p. 119. ISBN 0-85170-681-9.
- ^ Eimer, D. (1991). "Going Off the Deep End". The Face. 2 (60).
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kenner, Rob (10 January 1999). "My Hollywood". Wired. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
External links
edit- Official website
- Vimeo channel of the Exploding Cinema Collective
- Exploding Cinema profiled on BBC Radio 4 in 2011 Archived 24 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine