Cinema: Now showing - a new home for film lovers
The Lux Centre, 2-4 Hoxton Sq, London N1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As the Brit-pack actors continue to make an impact in Hollywood, British film-makers and technicians increasingly look like they've been left behind.
The Lux Centre, a new arthouse cinema complex opening tonight in Hackney, east London, wants to change all this. Nestling next to the notorious home of jungle, The Blue Note in London's so-hip-it-hurts Hoxton Square, it has not only chosen a great time to establish itself - but the ultimate place.
Lux, with the help of a sound pounds 4.5m cash injection from the Arts Council and National Lottery, is giving the country's young film-makers an unprecedented gift. Along with a state-of-the-art cinema, there will be cameras, editing suites and hi-tech film-making equipment for hire for minimal cost. "We're especially committed to helping people with absolutely no money make films," says Lars Drinko, spokesman for Lux. Fighting words, but will they cope with the nation's present home film boom? "Yes," says Drinko. "We may be busy, but we'll cope." After all Lux, a coming together of The London Film-makers Co-op and London Electronic Arts, has been doing this already for years.
While only the cinema is open tonight, next month sees the production facilities ready for use along with gallery space that boasts gargantuan glass windows peering out onto Hoxton Square. Movies will be projected onto the walls behind these so that people will be able to see them while sitting in the square. As if the place couldn't get any groovier, Acid Jazz are building a cafe next door.
Programmes have been deliberately constructed with the aim of enticing as many potential cinema-goers as possible. Their opening feature bodes well. Gallivant, Andrew Kotting's debut work, is a journey around the coast of Britain. It follows his 87-year-old grandmother, Gladys, and his daughter, Eden, 7, - a Jouberts Syndrome sufferer who can only communicate through sign language - on their three-month trail. A poignant, avant- garde road movie sure to warm the heart.
Details: 0171 684 0201
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments