Kieran recalls interval pints on Portobello Road and an early cinematic memory that didn’t even involve a film.
What was the first film you saw at film club?
What’s been your favourite film at film club?
Days of Heaven. The beautiful late summer feel from filming in the golden hour makes this film.
What’s been your least favourite film at film club?
Probably Don’t Look Now! 1970s horror just not my thing but I stuck with the club.
What’s a favourite film of yours you’d love to see at film club?
Trading Places as the last film of the year. More festive than Gremlins despite no Motown Christmas tunes.
Tell us a theme and three choices you’d put up for the vote.
New York City essential workers: Bringing Out the Dead, Summer of Sam and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
Is there a book about film that you’d recommend to other members?
I’m not a big reader of film books but The Coen Brothers by Ian Nathan is a nice synopsis of their work, illustrated with loads of great stills.
What’s your earliest memory of going to the cinema?
First visit was probably for a Disney movie. The first real memory was my Dad taking me as a 6-year-old with a couple of his mates to watch the Limerick v Kilkenny All-Ireland Hurling Final via closed-circuit feed at the Odeon, Edgware Road. The game started at 3.30pm which gave most of the crowd of well over a thousand the chance to hit the pubs of Kilburn for the 12-2pm Sunday opening and jump on the 16 bus down there. It was bedlam with whooping and hollering for every score and I’m sure there was a trolley service serving drink. I couldn’t make a thing out on the grainy pictures and a ball travelling at 100 mph but it was an experience!
What’s your most memorable cinematic experience?
I went to see Once Upon A Time in America on UK release at The Electric Cinema. A fantastic film which took all Friday night to see! Think I was 16 so underage for both the film and the intermission pint in a dubious pub on the Portobello Road. Hugely different Notting Hill back then!
What was the last film you saw outside film club and would you recommend it?
Calm With Horses. I saw it days before lockdown at the Art House in Crouch End - three people in the cinema. Set in rural west of Ireland about a guy with limited chances who gets tied up with local villains. Definite echoes of Ken Loach films but with better scenery and more violence. (Calm WIth Horses is now available to stream on most platforms).
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