Halladale Film Club enters virtual world as coronavirus halts screenings

For a sparse and far flung community, it is a welcome opportunity to get together regularly.

Halladale Film Club's monthly cinema nights in Strath Halladale Hall bring together residents in the area and are a popular diversion with screenings followed by a chance to chat, tea and home baking.

But the coronavirus crisis has meant that, along with most other community cinemas across the region, screenings have been suspended for the time being.

However a Halladale club member has made a great suggestion to keep the film flame alive – and the concept is virtual community cinema..

It has been agreed that each week the club will nominate a film from either BBC iPlayer or Channel 4 On Demand for members to watch from the comfort of their own homes - if possible all on the same day.

Then members can go online or even just phone a neighbour or friend to discuss the film or use it as the basis for a more wider chat.

A club spokeswoman said: " We will open up the discussion from Saturday morning on our Facebook Page Driftwood Cinema and on our website at: https://driftwoodcinema.org/virtual-community-cinema/"

The film nominated to watch, if possible, today (Friday, March 20) is the Certificate 15 Manchester by the Sea.

After his brother's death, Lee Chandler is named guardian to his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick. This forces him to return to his hometown and confront his past.

One film critic said: "Masterfully told and beautifully acted, Manchester By The Sea is a shattering yet graceful elegy of loss and grief."

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