Bringing to life the magic of the movies

THE first rule of FILMCLUB is talk about FILMCLUB. Chronicle reporter Karen Doherty swapped her computer screen for the big screen to find out how children are falling in love with a good movie.

THERE is a buzz of excited chatter and rustle of popcorn packets as a group of 10 and 11-year-olds get comfy in their chairs and beanbags.

And then you can hear a pin drop as the opening titles roll on the coming-of-age comedy “Son of Rambow”.

It is Friday afternoon at Greenfield St Mary’s Primary School and a classroom has been transformed into a cinema: the blinds are drawn and the whiteboard normally used for lessons is a movie screen.

It is one of the 24 Oldham schools among more than 3,000 primaries, secondaries, special school and pupil referral units who have joined FILMCLUB, a national initiative to spread a passion for movies.

Year 6 teacher Russ Learmont has been running the after-school club for six weeks and said: “I had seen the scheme and thought it sounded fantastic. There’s no barriers to pupils enjoying themselves and the discussions that come out of it are fantastic.

“It is also great to do something where I am not just a teacher and can chill out with the children.”

But in a world where it is easier than ever for children to watch a movie (even in the back of a car) is FILMCLUB needed?

The Government thinks so and the Department for Children, School and Families is funding the free scheme founded by director Beeban Kidron and educationalist Lindsay Mackie.

It ties in with it’s so-called “extended schools agenda” to provide a range of extra curricular and community activities.

High-profile supporters also include Renee Zellweger, Emma Thompson and Ewan McGregor.

For a start it is not about setting up “babysitting clubs”. The idea is to provide a window on the world and spark debate.

As Gill Siddall, FILMCLUB’s schools co-ordinator for the North-West, explains: “To experience different cultures, attitudes, religions and different periods of history you need to be exposed to other people’s stories. Film is a way of doing that.”

And is not all about the big-budget Hollywood blockbusters which clog up multiplexes.

Popular recommendations for different ages — include the 1933 Marx Brothers classic “Duck Soup”, the cult fantasy “Pan’s Labyrinth” and the foreign language classic “Bicycle Thieves”.

Gill added: “We have got over 4,000 titles which range from all corners of the world; 100 years of cinema with films from 1902 to the latest releases.”

It is the mix that makes it work, said Gill, and Russ agrees, adding: “The club allows the children to see films they may usually ignore or not even know about — international cinema and old classics — opening a new world of film magic.

“I love film and my interest is going to rub off on them. I am going to introduce them to the likes of Laurel and Hardy. Half of them haven’t heard of them and that’s a crime, it’s where comedy stems from.”

The FILMCLUB model is simple. Schools use the website to choose and order a film, with pupils at Greenfield drawing up a wish-list.

Teachers and pupils watch it together, have discussions and debate, and can post reviews on the website. The best is chosen as the review of the week, with Greenfield chalking up two so far.

FILMCLUB also arranges for industry insiders to visit schools through its Close Encounters programme.

Weekly

At Springbrook Special School, Oldham, a third of pupils attend the weekly club. A monthly Family Film Night — complete with a hot meal and popcorn — is also a great way of making new friends.

And the club for seven to 11-years-old at Stanley Road Primary School, Chadderton, is so successful that they are hoping to also set one up for younger pupils.

“We usually alternate our films so that we show a popular, well-known film one week and then show a lesser known, perhaps more thought-provoking film, the next,” said its FILMCLUB leader Andrew Percival, who described it as “fantastically easy” to run.

“FILMCLUB has broadened the horizons of the children and has given them a boost in confidence in discussing their likes and dislikes,” he added.


What the Greenfield St Mary's pupils think

Hannah Sparkes: “It has widened my eyes to other films that are out there and it’s a nice environment to be in. We are all sitting there laughing, it’s like being in a cinema.”

Thomas Matthews: “They are totally different films to what I would normally watch. I have started watching history films now which is surprising.”

Leanne Thorpe: “It’s good fun. My favourite film was ‘Offside’ about girls wanting to play football in Iran.”


How to join FILMCLUB

FILMCLUB is free to state schools in England. Teachers who want to get involved can attend a free introductory session at Central Manchester CLC, IT2 Cambridge Street, Manchester, from 2pm to 4.30pm on March 25. For more information visit www.filmclub.org e-mail gill@filmclub.org or call 0207 288 4520.