EC2 of a kind

Eddy Lawrence asks if Shoreditch could acquire the same reputation for film that Camden has for music.

Feb 21 2007

From its unassuming façade and fashionable location, you wouldn't assume that there is anything revolutionary about Close-Up Videos. Most members know of it as 'the cool video shop on Brick Lane', but that's not how founder Damien Sanville wants people to view the place. Although Close-Up does rent out DVDs, is cool, and is situated on Brick Lane, its central reason for existence is to house and promote an archive of internationally renowned cinema, and one which is growing all the time.

'I'm surprised that people think it's a big deal,' says Damien, 'but it's also surprising that no one else in London is doing it . Although the shop is a private company, it's run like a public service. All the money we make goes into buying new films.'

London is woefully underserved by broad-minded film outlets and those few that exist are often over-reliant on trad arthouse fare. At Close-Up, however, the usual Herzogs and Fassbinders share shelf space with experimental shorts by directors who bring work to the shop on spec.

Hardcore grazers will benefit most from the shop's unlimited rental plan (costing £90 for six months). As Damien explains, this is the best way to take advantage of the archive's riches. 'If you can rent as many films as you like, you're more likely to take a chance on something.'

This week, Close-Up, along with The Fleapit on Columbia Road and the DVD label Second Run, are launching their first, free monthly screenings. Although Damien maintains the choice is 'pretty
random', the line-up for the evening of February 24 is a clear statement of intent: Cassavetes's little-seen 'Shadows', Fellini's classic '81/2' and Godard's 'Vivre Sa Vie'.

But Close-Up isn't the only place that East End locals can get their indie kicks. Down the road, at 23 Charlotte Road, are the micro cinemas of MTR Studio 23. Studio 23 is the base for the non-profit prganisation (NPO) Mouth That Roars, set up nine years ago by Denise Rose to provide film training for disadvantaged youngsters.

Inside the studio's ground floor are four 'portals' – monitors linked to DVD players set up in front of chairs reclaimed from provincial cinemas and aeroplanes. It's best to book if you want to guarantee a portal, but a year's membership costs a measly £20 and entitles you to unlimited DVD rentals. Plus, apart from introducing young voices to cinema, they also serve excellent cookies.

The film library reflects the outfit's educational origins. 'Predominantly, it's documentary and arthouse,' says Rose 'We do celebrate our own industry – we've got a lot of Loach and a bit of Mike Leigh – but we've got lots of pop stuff too, like Gondry and Chris Cunningham. It's good for young people to see different influences.'

The most unique selling point of Studio 23, though, is that all of MTR's own productions (mostly documentary commissions from other NPOs) are available for viewing. But this isn't just dinner party ammo for the competitive cinephile; it's a great place to confront your fear of today's youth. Both Studio 23 and Close-Up do a great job of serving a community often left out in the cold by London's established arthouse screens, which are often seen as pulpits for preaching to the converted.

Close-Up and Studio 23 have loftier ambitions. Damien speaks optimistically about the possibility of the E2 area acquiring the same reputation for indie film that Camden has for indie music. With the recent addition of the left-of-mainstream Rich Mix cinema on Bethnal Green Road, the infrastructure to make that a reality is, technically speaking, starting to take shape. Now all it needs is an audience.

Studio 23 is at 23 Charlotte Rd, EC2 (020 7729 2323). Close-Up Videos is at 139 Brick Lane, E1 (020 7739 3634).

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