Celebrating

TYNESIDE Cinema celebrates the history of North East film with a season of iconic movies made in the region. Opening today, ‘The Cinematic North East’ takes us on a journey through the decades and across the region.

We’ll see Billy Elliot foot–stomping his way through the terraces of County Durham; Harry Potter and Queen Elizabeth I roaming the spectacular backdrops of Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle; and Redcar Beach’s impressive performance as Dunkirk in Atonement.

We’ll also see Michael Caine deciding that Gateshead’s now-demolished Trinity Square car park is the perfect place to throw Bryan Mosley from in Get Carter. The classic gangster film will screen alongside the world premiere of a new Get Carter Redux project as part of the Great Exhibition of the North.

The season will feature several special guests appearing to discuss and present the films on show.

There will also be an opportunity to see lesserseen masterpieces made in the region, such as Payroll, Women in Love, and Stormy Monday.

Viewers will be treated to a selection of archival screenings from the North East Film Archive and Amber Films.

There will be a cinematic exploration of the legacy of legendary local 1960s politician T Dan Smith.

And there will be a celebration of several BBC films rarely seen on the big screen, including Ken Loach’s epic classic Days of Hope; Alan Clarke’s 1987 film Road; Ken Russell’s documentary The Bedlington Miners’ Picnic; and Roland Joffe’s classic Play For Today set in Gateshead, United.

As part of the programme the Tyneside will screen a special Newcastle On Film presentation, a film journey from the collections of the North East Film Archive that shows you Newcastle across the decades, from the building of the new Tyne Bridge to the bustling Quayside Market, early footage of Newcastle United and a lesson in how to ‘Larn Yersel Geordie’.

Tyneside Cinema’s Director of Film Programming, Andrew Simpson, said: “The North East has provided the backdrop and inspiration for so many iconic, much-loved films over the years.

“We wanted to take this opportunity, at a time when the North is being celebrated, to not only bring these films back so audiences could see them on the big screen, but also to celebrate the history of the North East and see how it has changed over the years.

“We’ll be using this season to celebrate and explore the cultural heritage of the region, and also how our cities and landscape have inspired some of cinema’s greatest filmmakers.

“We’ll also be joined by some very special guests to present many of these films, details of which we’re looking to announce soon.”

■■The Cinematic North East season runs from July until September at Tyneside Cinema, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, starting with Newcastle On Film today.

■■Tickets are on sale now and can be booked by visiting www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/cinematicnorth-east; in person at Tyneside Cinema’s Box Office; or by calling 0191 227 5500.