Save The Other Cinema

Unless a rescue package can be put together in time, London's most prestigious arthouse cinema will screen it's last film this weekend.

Nov  8 2004

Friday night saw supporters of The Other Cinema turn out in their droves to help prevent the imminent closure of the independent movie Mecca.

Having championed challenging, offbeat, low-budget cinema for over 30 years, the cinema is all set to close its doors for the last time on Sunday November 14, and the night was organised as part of a campaign by staff to keep it open.

Directors, producers, patrons and the like attended the celebration of everything 'Other', and filmmakers such as Peter Whitehead and Asif Kapadia related stories of the cinema's colourful and eventful past while at the same time making impassioned speeches regarding the importance of it's future.

Director Mike Hodges was unfortunately unable to attend, but sent his support in the form of a powerful letter in which he stated that the loss of the cinema would mean 'The London film world will soon be a cultural desert.'

Co-founder of the venue, Nick Hart-Williams, also spoke out with this rallying cry to the masses: 'For over 30 years now, TOC has been bringing some of the most critically important independent films to our screens. We need these independent voices now more than ever before. My sense is not only that we must save it, but that we can. We’ve overcome bigger hurdles in the past.'

The staff behind the campaign have already received hundreds of letters of support as well as over 4,000 petition signatures, with everyone from Christian Slater to Nick Broomfield adding their names to the list, and the team are currently hard at work trying to put together a rescue package.

Representatives from the Film Council were unfortunately unable to attend, but the enthusiasm and determination of those who did make it will hopefully ensure that The Other Cinema has some chance of survival.

For more information on the campaign see http://www.savetheothercinema.com or email savetheothercinema@btinternet.com