Screening times:
Thursday, July 17, 6:30 PM - Carbon Arc 15th Birthday Screening!
Doors open 5:30 PM, come early for the licensed bar and free cake! Stay after the film for a post-film chat with special guests! More info below.
Jane Giles & Ali Catterall | UK | 96m | 2023
featuring John Waters, Mary Harron, Jah Wobble, Ben Wheatley, and Kim Newman
Between the politically volatile years of 1978 and 1993, London’s most infamous repertory movie theater/pleasure dome screened over 4000 mind-warping films influencing a generation of remarkable writers, musicians, filmmakers, actors, artists and activists.
As the post-punk and new romantic music scenes took hold in the public consciousness, popular culture went through a sea change, and organized labour movements fought back against the draconian tenets of Thatcherism, the Scala Cinema offered new and alternative film to London's most colourful and creative denizens as well as providing a safe haven for members of the queer community.
Co-directors Jane Giles and Ali Catterall reveal the incredible true story of the Scala Cinema featuring rare archival footage, dozens of film clips from Scala favorites, and tales too incredible to be fiction from former Scala audience members, guests, and staff, some of whom have gone on to be filmmakers, actors, musicians, and writers.
For Carbon Arc Cinema's 15th birthday, we've chosen this documentary as a celebration of the power of independent cinema in a community.
"A nostalgic trip down the sticky corridor of offbeat and eccentric cinema in the heart of London from the late 1970s through the early 1990s, it will provide cinephiles with a thrilling reminder of how exhilarating the theatrical experience could be." - James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
"It was a unique grindhouse slash alt-cinephile repertory house which inspired generations of filmmakers, artists and musicians, and its notional “club” status allowed it to show all sorts of outrageous and transgressive material: horror, sex, satire, drugs, vampires and bikers." - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian (UK)
"It's a treat to see so much energy expended to recall a venue and a community that was unknown to most, but felt like the center of the universe to the merry few who were part of it." - Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com
Special Guests!
After the film, we'll have some special guests talk about the importance of having an independent cinema in Halifax. We'll discuss the challenges of opening a dedicated brick and mortar venue, and the collaborative approaches that may hold the key to moving ahead.
We'd love for you, the audience, to join us, contribute your own thoughts on the matter, and learn ways our own local community may help in our search for a 'forever home'!
Siloën Daley
Sonya Yokota William
Brielle LeBlanc
Ian Matheson
Siloën Daley founded Carbon Arc Cinema in 2010 and was director until 2021 when she returned to her home province of BC. Siloën is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Carbon Arc, founded and is director of its annual animation festival, and works as a technical representative of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Sonya Yokota William is the founder and director of the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE). With over 15 years building audiences for non-mainstream film across Canada and the UK, she is dedicated to driving meaningful and sustainable growth.
Brielle LeBlanc is an emerging filmmaker based in Mi’kma’ki: Nova Scotia. LeBlanc co-founded Fleapit Cinema, a screening series that showcases independent contemporary Canadian cinema. They have worked for the Atlantic International Film Festival, Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival, Women in Film and Television - Atlantic, and are currently working at the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative while in post-production on their new short titled “Burnt Toast.”
Ian Matheson runs Propeller Arcade, which once housed "Wormwoods Dog and Monkey Cinema," the alternative film theatre in Halifax. These days Ian keeps alternative cinema alive and well through programming and hosting hugely popular cult and rep cinema screenings, with some of the most dedicated audiences in Halifax.
Tickets $12 ($11.40 cash at the door)
Price includes HST
