For anyone not aware of the occasional summer open air cinema behind the fish shack in Dungeness, they are truly missing something. The singers of the Marsh Choir were told by their leader Carly Bryant about the screening of Great Expectations, as advertised on Instagram. By arriving early one could bag a space, there were benches and tables dotted around at the back of the shack, used by customers when the Snack Shack is open and selling fresh fish.
Chris McGill of Rebel Cine Club arrived with his box of tricks and family members while it was still light and it was unimaginable to think how he could get a film night from it. About twenty people turned up with their drinks and nibbles, chatting to each other, the sun came out, just a beautiful evening.
It was interesting to see Chris juggling with the inflatable frame, a white cloth as screen and two speakers, then hey presto the cinema was ready. However, it was still too light and we had to wait until the sun went down. To start with, he showed three short screenings which were recordings of the different marsh choirs, absolutely wonderful in this eerie surrounding. By the end it was dark enough and the actual film, Great Expectations started, David Lean’s black and white version, which was very intense. Then midway through the film the lights on the two nuclear power stations came on in the distance. It was a delightful evening.
Chris said that he puts screenings on in various places: Arthouse in Crouch End, The Garden Cinema in Covent Garden, Woodberry Wetlands Centre and many more. The films are cult classics and counterculture films, starting with shorts of DJs, images, site specific performances and introductions from artists. He explained that his audience is a mix of artists / musicians / fashion designers / students and people interested in film, especially original versions.
He is planning another showing in Dungeness on August 11 and 12. The film will be Black Narcissus, (Powell and Pressburger, 1947) and it’s well worth attending as it’s such a fun night. For more information please email: chris.mcgill@milktwosugars.com.
Image Credits: Heidi Foster .