The North's best indie cinemas
We all hate the multiplex, right? The smell of rancid nacho cheese, the jabbering patrons and, worst of all, the cookie cutter movies on screen. Luckily the North still has a few great indie cinemas putting film first
Liverpool Small Cinema
57-59 Victoria St, Liverpool
Taking inspiration from the kinos of Berlin, Liverpool Small Cinema – which opened just over a year ago – is a volunteer run cinema space housed in a former magistrates' court and built out of donated materials and 50 velvet seats salvaged from Stockport Plaza. The team’s aim is to "create cinemas not supermarkets", saying a firm No to the capitalist forces of cinema distribution and exhibition.
The Small Cinema programme, made up of films old and new, is community-run, with local programmers and film clubs taking the lead on what plays in the single screen. Much of the programming has a political edge. New initiative 58%, for example, encourages its programmers to celebrate films by women, trans and non-binary filmmakers, collectively ensuring that 58% of its programme is made up of work by those filmmakers. Even the choice of location is radical: reclaiming and occupying a building in Liverpool’s town centre is one in the eye to the private developers who are increasingly pushing vital arts spaces out of the city.
HOME
2, Tony Wilson Place, First St, Manchester
image: Simon Bray
The five screens within Manchester’s shiny new multi-arts centre could be argued to be the finest in the UK; the programming is certainly among the country’s most daring. In just over a year, Manchester film fans have been treated to retrospectives dedicated to rarely screened filmmakers like Chris Petit and James Benning; a celebration of the career of Mancunian screenwriter Jim Allen; and seasons dedicated to everything from Hong Kong crime films to JG Ballard.
Guests coming to HOME to present their work have ranged from Nicolas Winding Refn and Danny Boyle to Ken Loach and John Boorman, via Ben Wheatley and Carol Morley. Most impressive, however, has been the cinema’s dedication to the best of contemporary cinema from around the world, giving ample space to films by the great and emerging filmmakers of today. Beyond films, HOME has several bars, perfect for post-cinema discussions, and a roomy restaurant serving up pizzas, salads and burgers.
Showroom
15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield
Housed in a beautiful art deco building – a former car showroom – this four screen cinema is one of the most striking in the UK. Its abundance of screens means it has a lively roster of films, from the latest arthouse fare to Hollywood classics. Its proximity to Sheffield Hallam (it’s basically part of the campus) has resulted in a close relationship with the university’s film department, which means you’ll find plenty of esoteric films and cult screenings packed out with cinephile students.
The Showroom is also home to one of the UK’s great film festivals: Doc/Fest. Anyone who’s anyone in the documentary world has flocked to this ever-expanding festival over the years – guests at the 2016 edition included Michael Moore and D.A. Pennebaker – and if you’re a film-fan or emerging filmmaker interested in the documentary form there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
Hyde Park Picture House
73 Brudenell Rd, Leeds
image: Ollie Jenkins
Hyde Park Picture House is a single screen wonder. Opened in 1914, it’s miraculously held off competition from TV, VHS and multiplexes over its century to be Leeds’ home of independent cinema. Today it blends the best of nostalgic cinema-going with all mod-cons.
The sound and screen are state of the art, but this Grade-II listed Edwardian nickelodeon has hung on to many of its original features (and customs). The auditorium is still illuminated by gaslight, for example. Each screening grinds to a halt midway through for an interval complete with old-school choc ices. And a resident cat stalks the premises, adding an extra frisson to horror screenings as it brushes past legs.
Unusually, the cinema is council-owned, but the eclectic programme is completely independent. This is a hideaway for serious film lovers; let’s hope it’s still standing in another 100 years.
Tyneside Cinema
10 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne
Like Hyde Park, Tyneside is a survivor. Opening in 1937, this gorgeous art deco cinema was conceived, designed and built by Dixon Scott, whose great nephews (Ridley and Tony) would go on to make their own mark on cinema.
Between now and then, the Tyneside has been through tough times, falling into disrepair and closing at the turn of the century. But since 2008, when it reopened after a major restoration, it’s once again been at the heart of Newcastle’s film scene. The conservative programme, disappointingly, leans towards the mainstream but there’s still plenty on offer for film buffs.
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