Mobile cinema shows to resume in Sutherland
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The roving cinema known as the Screen Machine will be back on Sutherland roads again after a government announcement allowing cinemas to reopen from May 17.
Regional Screen Scotland – owner, operator and manager of the Screen Machine – is delighted its mobile cinema will be back on the road, touring and screening to customers from that date.
Robert Livingston, director, Regional Screen Scotland, said: “We’re well aware that many of our customers will have found their finances to be stretched since the first lock down began – perhaps because they have lost their job, been on furlough, or work in an industry such as tourism that has been adversely affected.
"If that’s you, then when you go to book your ticket online, please book a Welcome21 ticket. This will be charged at our concessionary price of £5.50 instead of our full price of £7.50. There’s no need to bring any proof of your circumstances along to the Screen Machine – there will be no questions asked. This ticket will be available to the end of 2021.”
After a challenging 15 months, Screen Machine’s first visit will be to Fort Augustus on May 17, 18 and 19. Thereafter, Screen Machine will tour to towns and villages in Scotland’s North West Highlands including Mallaig, the Isle of Raasay, Dornie, the Isle of Skye, Lochcarron and Gairloch.
Other dates include: Durness – June 16 and 17; Bettyhill – June 18 and 19; Lairg – June 21 and 22; and Golspie – June 23 and 24.
Screen Machine aims to bring a varied programme of films to each location. These will include: Iorram (Boat Song) – this first cinema documentary made entirely in Scots Gaelic is a lyrical portrait of the fishing community, past and present. Funded by the National Lottery through Screen Scotland.
Nomadland – Frances McDormand stars as a van-dwelling nomad in America’s mid-west. Winner of four BAFTAs and three Academy Awards.
Screen Machine last toured between September and December 2020 when it visited 20 different locations before the latest lockdown began. Just as it did before Christmas, it will again make contact with primary schools in selected locations to offer day-time screenings of films that classes can watch together. The more relaxed rules around physical distancing for primary aged children make it possible for it to offer this popular service.
Due to physical distancing requirements, the cinema's total capacity for each screening will be only 20 people – 25 per cent of the full capacity. But a more welcome change is the introduction of a new ticket category – Welcome21 – which costs £5.50. Until the end of 2021, anyone who is a frontline worker, who is having difficulty making ends meet because of the pandemic, or is claiming benefits, can take advantage of this reduced price.
Sambrooke Scott, head of audience development at Screen Scotland, said: “Screen Scotland is thankful we could support Regional Screen Scotland through the Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and we wish them all the best as they resume the operation of the Screen Machine. The RSS team have worked exceptionally hard to welcome audiences back and to enjoy films in safety and comfort. Alongside the communities it serves, we look forward to its return.”
Further dates and locations will be added throughout the summer – updates can be seen on the website. at www.screenmachine.co.uk
