[F]lorence Arts Centre have announced their new season of film screenings, bringing cinema back to Egremont this autumn in association with the nationwide film festival, Scalarama.
With a selection of films screening every week on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays there will be something for everyone to enjoy, from specially-selected seasons and new releases to cult favourites, Hollywood classics and a new kids’ club.
The first in the new Films at Florence season will be a rare chance to see independent horror film Beneath (2015) which is showing on Thursday 7 September. This scary movie is set underground and sees a group of miners trapped with something not-quite-human. Do you dare see it at the atmospheric arts centre which is based at the disused Florence iron ore mine in Egremont? Each Thursday in September there’ll be a chance to see a mine-related movie.
On Thursday 14 September, ahead of Cumbria Pride weekend the centre is showing the crowd pleasing Pride (2014); on Thursday 21 September another rarely-screened modern classic will be shown, with Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand (Oscar nominated for her role), in the iron ore mining drama North Country (2005) and finally, on Thursday 28 September a bit of genuine cult cinema, the 1981 Canadian slasher film, My Bloody Valentine – uncut!
For kids Florence is launching a brand new film club – FAC Miners (with a name inspired by the old ABC Minors of the 60s and 70s). Every Saturday morning you can see a family film for free. All films will be either U or PG rated and parents can check the website to see what’s coming up – there’ll be some old favourites and some surprises too including The Smurfs, Disney and Jason and the Argonauts. The FAC Miners starts at 11am on Saturday 2 September with the animated classic The Iron Giant (1999).
Finally, on a Friday afternoon it is the return of the popular Matinees at the Mine, a chance to see a bona fide classic or a hidden or forgotten gem. The first film to start the season will be of interest to West Cumbrians as it was filmed in and around Workington – Carol Reed’s The Stars Look Down (1939) starring Michael Redgrave. The Friday matinees are free screenings and everyone is welcome.
Florence plans to continue screening new release movies on Thursday nights and has some special guests and events in the pipeline. Find out what is coming up by visiting their website or popping into the centre.