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Portsmouth picturehouse faces an uncertain future
It's been hailed as a masterpiece, is up for an Oscar and BAFTA and proved a winner at this year's Golden Globes.
Also the winner of the 2009 Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, The White Ribbon is certainly the critics' choice. But is it being shown on a cinema screen near you?
Unlike some of the more commercial Academy Awards contenders, this black and white parable about the seeds of fascism in pre-war Germany is unlikely to fill several auditoriums on a Saturday night and is being given very little screen time.
The Best Foreign Language Film nominee has impressed cinema fans across the globe and there has been the odd multiplex showing. But to the wider public it lies well back in the shadows of huge box office hitters like Avatar.
But a group of film enthusiasts have been getting very excited about this significant cinematic release and attending screenings this week at Portsmouth's No. 6 Cinema.
No. 6 lies in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and shows mainly independent and foreign language films. Using the comfortable 275-seat auditorium belonging to the Royal Navy's interactive exhibition Action Stations, it offers some of the world's most critically acclaimed releases on an impressive 30ft x 20ft screen.
'We do the non-popcorn stuff,' says Simon Middleton, who runs the cinema with fellow film fan Siri Finess. 'In a nutshell we show the best new releases from around the world. The White Ribbon is the sort of film that we don't even need to think about. Our audience would expect us to show it.'
The picturehouse also shows slightly more mainstream films and classics but always tries to focus on quality to please the regular visitors.
'We have people of all ages coming here, older people, film students, foreign students,' says Siri. 'People are very positive about it and there is a lot of warmth in this city for it.'
But No. 6 is facing an uncertain future. Despite being one of only a few independent cinemas on the south coast, it is struggling to attract the levels of audience it requires to break even financially.
The cinema has already been forced to shut once in February last year after the original investor called it a day.
But former staff members Siri and Simon hatched a business plan and pitched it to Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, which agreed to fund its re-opening last July and has invested thousands of pounds in the loss-making venture.
Since the new year, the trust has agreed to fund No. 6 on a three-month rolling contract basis. But the facility needs bigger audiences to pay for its costs.
Tim Vincent, of Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, says the organisation is eager to maintain its support of No 6. 'A couple of people on the board of trustees were passionate about arthouse cinema and we were keen to create a use for the facility in the evening.
'We've been giving it every chance to become a sustainable business but it's inconsistent in terms of visitors coming through.'
The trust doesn't charge rent and isn't looking for a profit but as it is a charity it needs No 6 to fund itself. The situation is critical as the long-term future of the cinema will be considered in April. But Tim is hopeful.
'What's frustrating is the very thing that gives me hope. We only need about 40 people to come to a showing to break even and at the moment there's on average about 32 or 33. It's relatively close.'
Siri, Simon and the volunteers at No. 6 have been working hard since July to boost numbers and are remaining positive about the future.
Siri has organised special events around some screenings. These involve themed refreshments and music and have been very successful.
The Wednesday screening of The White Ribbon marked the beginning of the discussion groups led by film experts. These allow cinema goers to meet and talk about some of the films.
Also this week, Southsea based design company I Love Dust offered to lend its support. The company, which works with some of the world's major brands, was keen to help a local venture and will be working on the design of the website and programme.
And the cinema has an arrangement with the city council to give car parking concessions to patrons.
'In general people are very friendly and very keen on keeping us going.
They are very concerned about us being here,' says Siri.
She points out that Portsmouth and Southampton's joint bid for the UK City of Culture title means there has never been a more relevant time to get behind an independent cinema.
'I think we are doing this at the right time, with the City of Culture bid. It's so important if we are going to do that,' says Siri.
City councillor Lee Hunt, Cabinet member for culture and leisure, hopes the council will be able to offer support in promoting the venue.
He says; 'We don't want to lose them. We certainly want to maintain this type of venue in the city and I'm sure we'll be happy to give any support we can. Everyone is entitled to access what's important to them on the culture, leisure and arts scene.
'I believe there is an audience out there for this.'
The team at No. 6 agree and want to get the message across to more people but they say there are misconceptions about subtitled films and independent cinema in general.
'A lot the films tell stories in a different way to mainstream Hollywood films but it's just a matter of getting used to that,' says Simon. 'But others are pretty straightforward. It's just a prejudice that people bring with them and we hope to break down.'
The No. 6 team – Siri, Simon and about ten loyal and hard-working volunteers – are keen to welcome new people to the cinema and will try their hardest to keep it running.
'I'd be absolutely devastated if it went,' says volunteer Amy Davies, a film student at the University of Portsmouth. 'It's really important to the students. Watching these films on DVD isn't the same as the cinema experience.'
Jo Vernon is another volunteer who'd be upset if the cinema didn't succeed. She says: 'There's such a potential for people to enjoy so many really exciting films and learn so much about the world.'
And she says the cinema offers something else that its multiplex rivals don't provide. 'When people visit the cinema they generally go in, watch the film and then put their coats on and go as soon as they can.
We offer much more than that. After the event we had with the film Bright Star, people watched it and then while the titles rolled there was absolute silence and they stayed in their seats. They had enjoyed the film but also there was a great atmosphere because people had eaten together and enjoyed the music beforehand.'
And just in case anyone is still in doubt, Siri says: 'We are not like the mainstream cinemas, people come along and mix with others who have a passion for film and art. Our events make us very different from them. We hope people will come and see for themselves.'
For information on the current programme and to keep track of forthcoming events, visit no6cinema.co.uk or call
07815 650753 or 07958 180037.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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