Dartmouth Film Society
When did it start and how?
Dartmouth Film Society was started at the beginning of 1997. The old cinema had long gone, having closed in the 1980s, so to bring film back to Dartmouth, the society was set up, helped by an Arts Council grant - just enough to buy a cranky 16mm projector and speakers. Initially with no fixed abode, the DFS Team took films to restaurants, hotels and even a local beach with a showing of Jaws, and they were honoured within the year to be granted the British Federation of Film Societies’ ‘Best New Film Society’ Award.
As its popularity grew, the society needed a more permanent base and around 20 years ago started regularly showing films at the Guildhall in Victoria Road, where we still are today.
What is the society all about?
One of our main aims, being a film club, is to bring an eclectic mix of film genres - modern and classic, drama and comedy, music, documentary, World Cinema and more – to our audiences. But we also wish to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We have tables and chairs, rather than rows of seats, a bar selling drinks and snacks at reasonable prices and committee members always on hand to welcome and chat to our guests. People might come alone, as a couple or as groups of friends, but they will almost certainly find someone they know there too.
How does it work?
Films are screened fortnightly at The Guildhall, Victoria Rd, Dartmouth. The door and bar open at 7pm and films start at 7.30pm. We have three ‘seasons’: January – March, April – July and September – December and we show 20 films a year. People can become a member and join for the whole year (annual membership for 2020 is £40); they are then free to come to all films at no additional cost. Alternatively, for £5 they can buy a guest ticket for a single film. As a Film Society we are not allowed to sell tickets on the door, but the Windjammer Inn in Victoria Rd kindly sells them for us on the night. We currently have around 70 members and many regular guests and we are open – depending on the certification of the film – to all ages.
What kind of films do you show?
As mentioned earlier, we aim to show a wide range of film genres, but we do take into account the likes and dislikes of our audiences. We invite people to rate each film after the screening and to share comments/feedback if they wish. (They can also make suggestions for future film showings which are taken into account at film choosing sessions). The ratings are then converted into scores and fed back to members and in this way we can work out our most – and least – popular films, although this is often apparent from comments and discussions on the night! Some of our most well-received films over recent years have been:
Lion – a UK drama/biography starring Dev Patel; Tangerines – an Estonian war drama; Faces, Places – a French documentary about film director Agnes Varda; A Man Called Ove – a Swedish comedy/drama; The Eagle Huntress – a Mongolian documentary; and Educating Rita – a British classic comedy/drama. Music-themed films are also popular; our Pre- Music Festival showing of The Jersey Boys practically resulted in standing room only and this year Bohemian Rhapsody was our top rated film.
However, it doesn’t always follow that a highly acclaimed film hits the spot. Films that have ‘bombed’ include The Florida Project, an American drama about families living on the brink of poverty in a budget motel next to Disneyworld and I am Not a Witch, a rather surreal Zambian film about an 8year old girl accused of witchcraft. Both had received excellent critical reviews – but certainly did not get the same accolades from our audiences!
Why does it benefit the town to have a film club?
The small group of volunteers who run Dartmouth Film Society are a special bunch of committed film fans. We believe that a community screening can be an inspiring and unique way to experience cinema and to engage with the community - no expensive multiplex tickets and pricey popcorn at the Guildhall! And as mentioned earlier, our mission is to bring a small, eclectic selection of the world of film to our audiences in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
For more information about Dartmouth Film Society, contact Barbara Bardwell:
Mobile: 07974 781021
Website: www.dartmouthfilmsociety.org.uk
Email: dartmouthfilmsociety@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dartmouthfilmsociety |
