Lunchtime Thoughts On A Messy Desk

Our Community Cinema Co-Ordinator, Olivia James, reflects on two years of the Community Cinema bringing film to Black Country communities. 

This blog post comes to you as I sit at my rather messy desk surrounded by all kinds of film and cinema paraphernalia (and there may be a snack or two on there aswell); two unreleased Bollywood films I need to watch prior to adding to our promoter’s film menu; a small flyer handed to me by Bearwood Film Club of their wonderful monthly film programme; a very attractive poster for a Polish Film Club that we are helping to get off the ground in West Bromwich and a to-do list as long as your arm (only longer).

Life as the Community Cinema Coordinator at Black Country Touring is a varied and exciting one. Like the promoters and audience members themselves, each one of the Community Cinemas we support has it’s own character. Some are focussed on the joys, fun and laughs in life, others are dedicated to making social and/or political change in the world and some are purely there to bring escapism. But one thing they all have in common is their passion to bring people together, that drive to share in an experience that can be as passive or involved as the cinemagoer wants to be – and nobody is excluded. Everyone is welcome.

It’s been two years since Black Country Touring began offering cinema, in addition to the existing theatre and dance offer, to communities in the Black Country. It’s been a great journey so far, meeting so many different people and uncovering all the film fans around with their inspiring suggestions for films and film events. It’s also been wonderful to visit all these fantastic places around the Black Country and meet different community groups and representatives who do so much for their neighbourhoods and the people living there. Long may it continue – (only perhaps with a tidier desk!).

Are you interested in Community Cinema? Let’s start the conversation!

Email: olivia@bctouring.co.uk

Call: 0121 533 7129