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| Author | Zoe Aresti |
The Hippodrome is Scotland's oldest purpose-built cinema. Opened in 1912, and an A-listed historic building, it is the masterpiece of architect Matthew Steele, who left Bo'ness with a remarkable built heritage of early 20th century design styles. This week, we spoke to Hippodrome, Bo’ness’s Alison Strauss on her love of cinema and how she started out in the industry.
How and when did you start working in cinema and what do you love about it?
You could say it all started when I was programmer at York University Student Film Society. From there I trained as a film archivist and then worked at the British Film Institute National Archive, branching out in to Arts Development for various local authorities in England and Scotland.
In 2007 I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when this job came up as Arts Development Officer (Film and Media) in Falkirk, Scotland shortly after I had moved here.
I love the magic of being in the auditorium and feeling the buzz of our audiences gripped by the film – whether they are holding their breath with the thrill, bursting with laughter or just rapt with attention.
What’s unique about your cinema?
The Hippodrome Bo’ness is Scotland’s first purpose-built cinema and first opened its doors in 1912. It is a stunning A-listed building and features a beautiful midnight-blue domed ceiling, studded with golden stars, red velvet covered seats and a majestic balcony. You can always spot first-time visitors because they walk in, look up and gasp.
Please tell us about any special events or screenings you run at your cinema.
In 2011 we established the Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema www.hippfest.co.uk (HippFest) and we have just had our fifth anniversary.
The Festival has grown from a modest three days to a five day celebration of the magic of silent film with live music, attracting world class musicians to perform and audiences from right across the UK and this year from the US as well. The programme includes exciting outreach workshops, pop-up screenings, imaginative community engagement, exhibitions and, for our fifth edition, a ‘speakeasy’ after party. The whole town gets behind the Festival and we have had rave 5* reviews in the media. I’m particularly proud about our new silent film score commissions which are touring the UK.
Aside from HippFest we run special events and screenings throughout the year – this weekend we held a screening of the digital restoration of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ with a packed house and a special guest appearance from the film’s Assistant Director Fabrizio Gianni, who is 73-years old and now lives in Falkirk. The screening tied in with an exhibition of his photography at the Park Gallery, Falkirk. It was a real thrill to hear his behind-the-scenes stories about screen legends like Sergio Leone, Luchino Visconti, Roberto Rosselini and Francis Ford Coppola
What film are you most looking forward to in 2015?
‘Inside Out’ looks great fun and, being the mum of a teenage daughter, I’m looking forward to a family film with an uplifting message that we can both relate to.
What excites you most about the future of the cinema industry?
Ever more innovative ways to connect with and ‘activate’ the audience – making the experience of cinema-going more immersive. And I don’t just mean 4-D. With enough imagination and staff passion, even low-tech ideas have the potential to really make going to the cinema a special, unique occasion.
What is your favourite film of all-time?
I never get tired of watching ‘I Know Where I’m Going’ (Powell and Pressburger, 1945)… It’s mystical, funny and romantic with a terrific female lead and it’s the reason I fell in love with the idea of Scotland in the first place… as well as the idea of my very own Scottish laird!
What do you foresee as being your biggest challenge in 2015?
Continuing to offer choice to a growing and wide-ranging audience with only a single screen.
What do you think are the most iconic cinema ads and why?
The Guinness ad with the surfers and the waves cresting as galloping white horses. Even 16 years on it looks great – slick in black and white and echoing the Guinness itself, the pounding drums like your heart beat, and the tag line ‘good things come to those who wait’ is clever too – reminding you of the exclusive ritual of having your Guinness expertly poured. And it manages to have an air of cool intellectualism with the ‘Moby Dick’ quote whilst being at the same time macho and physical.
What three things do you most enjoy doing in your free time?
1) Cooking tasty meals for friends – can’t be bothered with puddings though… they’re just shop bought!
2) I’ve just taken up archery and am working towards a certificate that will mean I can be let loose at the local archery club.
3) Sea-kayaking off the coast of Lewis on a calm, clear day… well away from all the midges!
Image courtesy of Falkirk Community Trust / © Alex Hewitt
Image courtesy of Falkirk Community Trust
Image courtesy of Falkirk Community Trust / © Alex Hewitt
Image courtesy of Falkirk Community Trust