Sheffield film-lover is seeking solace in the silver screen

As our evenings get darker, winter looms and England heads into another lockdown, cinemas will once again be closing.
A still from film Force MajeureA still from film Force Majeure
A still from film Force Majeure

It is a tough time and I find it sad that after a six-month closure earlier this year, the glimmering lights of our projectors are off again.

Over the last couple of months, independent cinemas have worked to become a safe place to escape to.

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Accustomed to working without blockbusters, we were well prepared to share a broad programme of films that could offer whatever solace our audiences needed.

Mikaela Smith is programme manager at Sheffield's independent Showroom cinemaMikaela Smith is programme manager at Sheffield's independent Showroom cinema
Mikaela Smith is programme manager at Sheffield's independent Showroom cinema

The support we have received thus far has been nothing short of jaw-dropping and we can’t thank you enough for that.

It’s in times like this I would usually turn to cinema screens, which have played an enormous role in my life.

There is something special about watching a film as a shared experience.

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What I love most about cinemas is you can do that even if you are alone – in times of isolation, I have taken great comfort in darkened screens, undertaking a new adventure with strangers who happened to have bought the same ticket as me.

I don’t think that feeling can be replaced and so do not believe any of this spells the end of cinema as we know it.

For now, I’d still like to draw attention to the magic of the movies, which have a unique ability to transport us to another world: a welcome respite in times like this.

Some of my favourite films from recent years are available for free on Channel 4’s online platform 4oD: Rungano Nyoni’s I Am Not A Witch, Park Chan-Wook’s The Handmaiden and Ruben Ostlund’s dark comedy Force Majeure to name a few.

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A surprising number of the movies I credit with starting my love affair with film were discovered on Film4 in the dead of night.

Historically, some of their best programming happens after 11pm – not because of racy content, but probably because these films were less exciting for advertisers.

Thanks to a shift in viewing habits, these titles are available for free, online.

I am blown away by what is available and will be embarking on many voyages from the comfort of my sofa over the coming weeks.

To keep up to date with the latest news from the Showroom, visit showroomworkstation.org.uk or follow @ShowroomCinema on social media.