Northern Soul The Film - See It At The Cinema

[stevemcmahon]

 

Jo & Gill recently started a Facebook group called 'Northern Soul the film: Cinema Group' which has all of the following information but thought to share it in here too:

 

The up-to-date official list of Independent cinema's screening Elaine's film can be found here: https://bit.ly/NorthernSoulCinemas

 

If you don't see your local cinema listed, try these two steps;

 

1. Go to the Our Screen website. Select the film & then check to see if they have a cinema near you listed. If not, use their Contact Us page to request your preferred cinema. They do reply within approx 24hrs.

 

2. Contact your local Independent cinema directly by email or phone & insist there is a large enough demand for them to put on a screening. With any luck it will then be available on OurScreen.com & you can schedule & promote a screening through them.

 

Currently there are 52 cinemas booked to show the film. If every person who ran a Northern night &/or allnighter were to suggest this idea to their club's Facebook group, you could almost have your own private viewing!

 

OurScreen is a great idea but seems to have only just got off the ground. If enough people badger them about this great film they will have to take notice & lobby the cinemas hard on your behalf.

 

Hope this helps & best of luck!

 

 

Steve.

Edited October 3, 2014 by stevemcmahon

[stevemcmahon]

..forgot to include the ICO website link which is helpful in finding a cinema near you.

[Guest Jolly]

There is going to be a showing in Edinburgh if there is enough people!

Check out the Cameo picture house. For details!

[Quinvy]

I have been trying to organise a screening at the Plaza Cinema in Skipton in North Yorkshire. It's a small old school type cinema that would suit the film perfectly. Problem is I can't get in touch with the owner, who won't answer my emails. 

[stevemcmahon]

I have been trying to organise a screening at the Plaza Cinema in Skipton in North Yorkshire. It's a small old school type cinema that would suit the film perfectly. Problem is I can't get in touch with the owner, who won't answer my emails. 

probably best to try & get them on the phone or drop by in person 

[Quinvy]

probably best to try & get them on the phone or drop by in person 

Went round in person, but the owner is never there. He owns six cinemas and is involved in other business. The manager gave me the email address. Just been round there again and spoken to a nice young woman who was far more helpful than the manager, but apparently the owner is a very hard man to track down. I will keep trying, but time is running out.

[stevemcmahon]

Went round in person, but the owner is never there. He owns six cinemas and is involved in other business. The manager gave me the email address. Just been round there again and spoken to a nice young woman who was far more helpful than the manager, but apparently the owner is a very hard man to track down. I will keep trying, but time is running out.

Hows about getting more folk to send him emails (e-bombard)? Someone in Cambridge applied a strength in numbers approach & they finally got a screening. Best of luck with it!

[Sooty]

Hows about getting more folk to send him emails (e-bombard)? Someone in Cambridge applied a strength in numbers approach & they finally got a screening. Best of luck with it!

 

Well done on your efforts on behalf of the film and scene Steve and all!x Cinema.....luv it. My ex wife's Uncle Albert was 'Eric the projectionist' at our old Victoria Cinema in the market square through the 60's/70's.....now the Marks & Sparks! As 16 1/2 year olds and into our 20's we took advantage of his 'hospitality' and my affair with such a night out began! I had always enjoyed collecting on Poppy Day as a Cadet too in the mid 70's....so many affections with the Cinema. Lump that in with my 'interest' in Northern Soul....i;d have been flabbergasted Sir if Cambridge's Cinema Management had taken any other tac! We is the seat of 'education'....globally!x Besides that.....none of the 5 Cinema Managers would ever get a 'free' limo for 'Opening' night launches.....or for personal holiday/stag/hen doo's...ever again!!!!!x

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

...educated @ Cambridge yaaa....Netherhall Junior and Upper...until expelled after 17 months! The 'streets' became my education....served me and my locality well!x

 

If someone has info on the Edinburgh showing then please let me know.....a new found friend has invited me to a Diwali Dance night........i'd like to repay the compliment! He is a Muslim 'leader' up in Scotland arriving in 1972. He came to England...London...in '73 to search out potential opportunity. He was attacked...in his own words...by 'Skinheads wearing Fred Perry's!'.....! He has never returned to England and put all his efforts and commitment into Scotland....and feverishly into the YES campaign as a close ally to Alex Salmond. Indeed the Muslim Community were well represented at St Georges Square sporting Scottish flags.....to my surprise! I feel the need to assist him with his bad experience. Understanding each others Cultures....is key.  I haven't seen the film or a trailer for it. I go to see it with him 'open minded'...and will discuss wotever it raises over a Chinese....I reckon!x 

@@

~

[dedji1955]

 

If someone has info on the Edinburgh showing then please let me know.....

 

Sooty it is on in Edinburgh on 18th October

 

https://www.ourscreen.com/screening/37360

 

[Sooty]

 

 

If someone has info on the Edinburgh showing then please let me know.....

 

Sooty it is on in Edinburgh on 18th October

 

https://www.ourscreen.com/screening/37360

 

 

 

Super stuff Dedji!x I will make plans to be there!x I hope the films brings up issues such as drugs....sexual infidelity....intolerance and waywardness as our scene and Culture have endured! I will be able to relate to the same I have found whilst mingling around the Nations practising Muslim Community. Knowledge...2 way thing. Understanding of 'humanity' is what finds middle ground!x

@@

~

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

[Guest]

To add to what Steve said, this is a brilliant way to not only see the film on the big screen, you can watch it with mates!

If anyone books a screening and wants help filling it contact either of us or Gill Soper on FB and we'll help promote it...

Cambridge is the big success story, being the 1st in the history of https://www.ourscreen.com/ to sell out a screening!

Thanks for the support all!!! :-D

[TheBigO]

My local The Broadway Cinema in Letchworth have now booked it for 3 nights starting Oct 17th thru to the 19th after i called them up. Its worth having a word with your cinema as it does work 

[Souledtrafford]

As mentioned on another post, I have got it showing in Dumfries on Saturday December 6th. 

There is an all-dayer on the same day, but the film will be shown twice prior to the start of this at a local cinema.

The cinema showed Soul Boy when it came out, so I approached them regarding NS the Film and by pure luck they said they could get it, but not until December, which fitted in perfectly.

There are no tickets available as yet, but full details will be put up on S/S when I have them.

[Guest]

Had to start a new group to make it public...:-(

Feel free to post your 'ourview' screenings here as lots of people are looking for somewhere to watch it.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/304798186378691/

[Steve G]

Still a few towns with a strong northern following, where the cinemas aren't showing it yet....keep on going!

[Ian Dewhirst]

Actually I'm getting quite a few PMs and Facebook messages regarding people wanting to show the film in their areas. Anyone who is in this position and knows there will be a strong demand should PM me and I'll give 'em contact details as to how to proceed.

 

Cheers,

 

Ian D 

[Ian Dewhirst]

Also the Ourscreen route, https://www.ourscreen.com/, seems to be working pretty well too.

 

This was posted on Facebook last night, courtesy of the good Derek Smiley, Georgina Archdeacon and Karen Janes in Cambridge:-

 

From Ourscreen:-

 

"Congratulations!!!! Your screening is now sold out. You're the first in the history of Ourscreen to sell out a private screening.
We were wondering if you knew many more people who would like to attend your screening? Because we may have the possibility to get a bigger screen (screen 1 - 236 seats)"

 

The power of positive action!

 

Ian D

[Sunnysoul]

What's happening with the rest of the world ?

 

 

Are they adopting a wait and see approach as to how well (or not) the film does in the UK before deciding what to do with oveseas markets ?

Edited September 23, 2014 by sunnysoul

[Guest in town Mikey]

Has anyone thought about the Brian Mathew show on Radio 2? He often plays the new Kent releases etc. Maybe someone could persuade him to play a record or three from the CD, on the day many cinemas are showing the film. It might be a nice reminder for people.

Edited September 23, 2014 by in town Mikey

[Ian Dewhirst]

Has anyone thought about the Brian Mathew show on Radio 2? He often plays the new Kent releases etc. Maybe someone could persuade him to play a record or three from the CD, on the day many cinemas are showing the film. It might be a nice reminder for people.

 

Good thinking Mikey. I'll pass to our hotshot Radio promotion guy....

 

Ian D 

[Ian Dewhirst]

Also I just got sent another link from Ourscreen which gives more details about potential screenings. If you're from these areas, then sign up!

 

https://www.ourscreen.com/search/screenings/?Req.CategoryId=&Req.SearchTerm=northern+soul+&Req.Date=&Req.Time=&Req.ScreeningStatusId=&Req.LocationText=&Req.CinemaId

 

Ian D 

[Guest SteveBev]

Does anyone have anywhere near Peterborough that's showing it? Needs to be a different night to 18/10 if so as that's when it's on at the Showcase there but unfortunately, I'm already booked to be at someone's birthday do and have no way of getting out of it.

 

Is the Cambridge one fully booked or is there room for a couple more? Not sure what night that was on either.

 

HELP  

[dedji1955]

 

 

Is the Cambridge one fully booked or is there room for a couple more? Not sure what night that was on either.

 

HELP  

 The Cambridge event is fully booked at the moment but it is almost certain they will be updated to a larger Cinema 

Check this link for more options

https://www.ourscreen.com/search/screenings/?Req.CategoryId&Req.SearchTerm=northern+soul+&Req.Date&Req.Time&Req.ScreeningStatusId&Req.LocationText&Req.CinemaId

[Guest]

What's happening with the rest of the world ?

 

 

Are they adopting a wait and see approach as to how well (or not) the film does in the UK before deciding what to do with oveseas markets ?

 

I know a great cinema in Tokyo that could be packed out (Osaka too!)...but maybe Universal aren't bothered as the DVD release date is so quick after the few limited UK screenings...plus they may have low expectations for foreign sales requiring different regional formats (if indeed they plan to press them at all?).

 

Appreciate the movie crew must be on overdrive at the moment, but it's a shame there's hardly been any official comments on Soul-Source (the world's #1 NS chat site!)...save for Ian.D doing sterling work on his tod...more power to you Ian!

 

[Guest SteveBev]

 The Cambridge event is fully booked at the moment but it is almost certain they will be updated to a larger Cinema 

Check this link for more options

https://www.ourscreen.com/search/screenings/?Req.CategoryId&Req.SearchTerm=northern+soul+&Req.Date&Req.Time&Req.ScreeningStatusId&Req.LocationText&Req.CinemaId

Cheers dedji, have reserved tickets for the 2.45pm showing at the Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge on Sat 18/10 as can make that. Is this a different venue/viewing to the one you said is sold out as it says it still needs another 21 people to book before it can be confirmed?

[dedji1955]

Cheers dedji, have reserved tickets for the 2.45pm showing at the Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge on Sat 18/10 as can make that. Is this a different venue/viewing to the one you said is sold out as it says it still needs another 21 people to book before it can be confirmed?

It has sold out twice and they have updated to a bigger room after selling out, I have no doubt they will sell the 21 seats required

[Guest]

Showcase screenings in Bluewater, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Dudley, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham, Paisley, Peterborough, Reading, Teeside and Walsall!!

https://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/films/northern-soul

[Kjw]

On at 2 cinemas in Nottingham

 

7 screenings over 3 days at Broadway

1 screening at Showcase

[Smileys]

What's happening with the rest of the world ?

 

 

Are they adopting a wait and see approach as to how well (or not) the film does in the UK before deciding what to do with oveseas markets ?

really not sure how the foreign market works....do on screen have any tie ups in this digital age their must be ways..

[Smileys]

just brilliant Steve momentum is really building up if you want any help there is a great page on facebook also with loads of tips anything steve and I can do just let us know love and peace, its just been great seeing the soul family work togetehr on this, wheter the film is for you or not...just amazing here is the fb link: Northern soul the film cinema group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/304798186378691/

[Shaun W]

Does anyone have anywhere near Peterborough that's showing it? Needs to be a different night to 18/10 if so as that's when it's on at the Showcase there but unfortunately, I'm already booked to be at someone's birthday do and have no way of getting out of it.

 

Is the Cambridge one fully booked or is there room for a couple more? Not sure what night that was on either.

 

HELP  

Same problem here, we're going over to see it in Leicester the following week.

[TheBigO]

Letchworth showing it on 17-19 Shaun W and thats about an hour max up the A1 from Peterborough

[Guest SteveBev]

Same problem here, we're going over to see it in Leicester the following week.

Where in Leicester & when Shaun? Are you going from Peterborough or somewhere else close by? As said I've booked tix for the afternoon showing at Cambridge Arts Picturehouse on the 18th. Haven't done a matinee in years! However, that's reliant on another 21 tix being sold as of yesterday.

[Guest]

Heres a list of places you can create your own screening, altho it says down the bottom if you cant see a cinema in the area you want to get in touch...Theres an online form, so easy to send a request...

If you need help filling it, pm me or Steve (who started this thread)

 

https://www.ourscreen.com/create-screening/cinema/?Request.CinemaId=&Request.FilmId=169831&Request.FilmSearchTerm=northern+soul&Request.CategoryId=&Request.LocationLatitude=&Request.LocationLongitude=&FirstChooseCinema=True&Request.SlotId=&Request.Private=&Request.DateRaw=&Request.TicketsRequired=&Request.BrandCampaignId=&Request.LocationText=

[Guest son of stan]

What's happening with the rest of the world ?

 

 

Are they adopting a wait and see approach as to how well (or not) the film does in the UK before deciding what to do with oveseas markets ?

Might be adopting a 'wait and see if it's any good or not' policy..'

Has anyone actually seen this film yet?

I really hope it's great but the way this works, independent films that get released and booked are ready to go and reviewed at festivals about a year in advance...

[Steve G]

Has anyone actually seen this film yet?

 

Yes and it is very good. 

[Guest son of stan]

Yes and it is very good.

Great! When is it coming out? Where can I see it? I live in central London..

[Guest Dave Ward]

'kin ell I remember 2 guys, a bloke with a torch and a cameraman  filming Northern Soul in the 70's, some people never got over it.

Edited September 25, 2014 by Dave Ward

[Ian Dewhirst]

Yes and it is very good. 

 

I've sent some of my random media mates to see a couple of preview screenings and, without exception, they all said how much the film affected them. Terry Farley - Harmless's Deep/Acid/Classic House guru had some misconceptions about the film and was probably cynically inclined before he saw the film earlier tonight.

 

His text message @ 9.29pm tonight:-

 

"Wicked film! The Wigan scenes with dancers blocking up on speed actually made my heart race and I felt like gagging".

 

Terry knows the symptoms to a tee, so high praise indeed. 

 

However, I think everyone involved with the film was incredibly touched by Mi-Soul Radio's incredible review from Ross Allen. Here it is:-

 

"Right I can do this now…

 

Apologies for the delay… This one has been way overdue. Thanks to the many people that have enquired as to what is happening with these mail outs/missives and whether or not they have fallen off the list or whether it has just stopped altogether. I had a break for a few reasons. It has been a manic summer, the time hasn't been there and when it was all I could really write about was going to sound slightly pretentious and a bit large. I don't want to be telling you about all the jet set travels with London Grammar I want to talk about things that mean something to me, are music related and hopefully interesting.

 

It has been a fun summer, the globe has been trod and there have been great things to report but it hasn't felt right plus I have been on and off the radio with an annoying irregularity… for me and some of you. 

 

Well I am back and inspired ! I have just gotten in from a very small and intimate screening of the film 'Northern Soul' and it has blown me away. Not that I am the biggest Northern Soul fan, far from it, a lot of it gets on my nerves and just doesn't connect… Too fast,  too mid rangy and just not my thing. Black music for white people is what I have regularly called it. Indie kids always like it and it is so far removed from much of todays music - it feels kind of safe, approved as it is a bonafide classic scene - I couldn't care less about that. I need to feel it ! Don't get me wrong there are many tunes from this genre that I love but never enough for me to really get excited about it. A few tracks, if any, on those many Kent compilations and lots of other ones that I have heard and liked but have been impossible to track down and buy. It took me about 15 years to find out what piece of genius Luther Ingram's 'If It's All The Same To Me' (featured in the film in its B side incarnation as Exus Trek) was and then to get it.

 

Anyway, I had heard about the film being forthcoming and was intrigued. I then got sent a promo CD which featured a few tracks that I knew but I was loathed to play it as I thought it would be full of those uptempo stomping numbers that just go whizzing above my forehead. I was wrong, the compilation is possibly the best one of its kind. I don't like all of the tracks but some that I have discovered through being on the compilation are just amazing pieces of soul music. Uptempo yes but not as barn storming, they feel more groove based with a funk and some have an almost jazz feel to the instrumentation. Take Lou Pride's 'I'm Com'un Home In The Morn'un'. This tune is absolutely amazing… a funktified bassline groove with some amazingly out horns and an amazingly soulful vocal (that is a basic pre requisit for this music). Northern undoubtedly but not as I knew it. There are so many tracks on this double CD that have opened my mind to othersides of Northern Soul yet I am still not a 100% convert as ever I am magpieing my way through this and most other music genres (always with a foot heavily in the world of funk, soul and jazz leading me to it's modern derivatives) but I have been so wowed by so many tracks on this album some known and others new to me - Eddie Holman, Rita & The Tiara's, Sam Dee's, James Fountain, Darrow Fletcher, Linda Jones - I could go on. It's a great album and I would highly recommend it. Currently at number 4 in the compilation album charts as I was told tonight above 'Now 2306' or whatever they are up to and many other TV advertised albums - which is nice !!

 

The album features a bonus DVD which I watched and got the back drop to the movie. A chat with Elaine Constantine the director about the making of the film and her inspiration for making it and a great interview with Richard Searling who was a DJ at Wigan Casino (and is a general all round soul legend) and one of the many inspirations for  this film. 

 

So I was all set for  the nights preview but wondering if it would be a good film or another one of those clubby/club based films where it feels nearly right but actually turns out to be crap, let down by bad acting or a bad script. It was neither and an all round triumph. 

 

Set in a run down part of Manchester in the early/mid 70's it follows the story of a young discontented guy (lets call him a teenager) who inadvertently discovers the sound and the dancing one night at a youth club's disco when his soon to be best mate is allowed to play one Northern Soul record at that youth club disco. He sees a great dancer doing his thing - the soon to be best mate - and then saves him from a beating from some non convert local kids who knock him for his dancing and clothes. A bond is formed right there, he is intrigued by the sound and the dancing, gets given some speed, a tape of Northern set from a night in Blackpool and then spends all night speeding his head of in his bedroom, freaking out to the music and by the morning he is a convert, keen to learn the ways of Northern Soul. The music, the clothes, the dancing... He is hooked. I wont spoil the rest of the story as it unfolds but he begins a journey into a scene that is not just specific to Northern Soul. The film captures the essence of the passion that music and their associated scenes generate.

 

The kid falls in love with everything about the music. It takes over his life and his journey has begun. Its a troubled one but a joyous one, full of scrapes and encounters but music and dancing is at the core of it. As much as he was converted he starts to convert others and they develop their own scene and he starts to break through in the world of DJing albeit at a very lowly level as his music collecting grows

 

It was brilliant,  I could feel an affinity with him. The voyage of discovery, the addiction to it, the need to collect the music,  to find out more, the need to be part of something that can and does change your life when you get that into it…

 

The film just drew me in, it seemed very authentic as a period piece - it is meant to be set 40 years ago, not that I have any idea what those clubs where like but it feels like they should have been like that.

 

So in essence I highly recommend it, and the accompanying compilation album. If you have a fleeting interest in it I'd pick it up. You'll discover some great music…and feel the passion"!

 

What an incredible heartfelt review!

 

This film is reaching way beyond the core audience and reaching many people in many ways. Killer film. What else do you need to know!

 

Ian D 

Edited September 25, 2014 by Ian Dewhirst

[Guest son of stan]

This film is so good that you have to beg cinemas to show it ?

And it hasn't been shown to or reviewed by any recognised film critic?

Never mind. Where is it defintely on where I can defintely buy tickets? London only. Most films come out here.

[Guest son of stan]

Terry Farley likes it? Past it house dj? Well that's enough for me....

[Ian Dewhirst]

And it hasn't been shown to or reviewed by any recognised film critic?

Never mind. Where is it defintely on where I can defintely buy tickets? London only. Most films come out here.

 

I'm pretty sure it wasn't designed for the critics and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't really get it anyway. This film has had zero support from the UK film business as far as I can make out and I think it's been pigeon-holed as a little English film about a quaint sub-culture which will have minimal commercial appeal and a limited audience. Which is entirely predictable in my view. That's what I expected them to think. So no surprise there.

 

But it's difficult to ignore a little English film about a quaint sub-culture when the soundtrack has entered the UK Top 10 album chart with minimal marketing spend. Not so little anymore. 

 

And watch those screens grow. 3 weeks to release. Blackburn premiere this Saturday and London premiere on 2nd October. Lots of PR and Radio coming up and hopefully more and more people will embrace this film. The grass-roots support has been nothing short of incredible. Great stuff!

 

Ian D   

Edited September 25, 2014 by Ian Dewhirst

[Ian Dewhirst]

Terry Farley likes it? Past it house dj? Well that's enough for me....

 

He was a cynic like yourself. 

 

And no need to be nasty about someone you probably don't even know. Who exactly are you and what have you done lately? 

 

Ian D   

Edited September 25, 2014 by Ian Dewhirst

[Guest son of stan]

Charming!

So the greatest film ever made isn't actually due to be shown anywhere as yet?

Edited September 26, 2014 by son of stan

[Steve G]

And it hasn't been shown to or reviewed by any recognised film critic?

Never mind. Where is it defintely on where I can defintely buy tickets? London only. Most films come out here.

 

It is officially out mid month, I am sure Kermode etc. will review it then.

 

It is showing all over the country at least 60 cinemas, I am sure there will be one near you…

[Guest son of stan]

It is officially out mid month, I am sure Kermode etc. will review it then.

It is showing all over the country at least 60 cinemas, I am sure there will be one near you…

When and where? I can't find any info about where it's on on line...Even on the official site.(I mean a proper cinema where I can go one night after work or summat, not a soul nite...)

I would actually quite like to go and see it. There have been so many posts on this site from people who seem to have a vested (and baggied) interest but no actual info on its release....And now we are asked to mither our local cinema to show it? So excuse me for being sceptical...

Where is it on and when? It's a simple enough question.

Edited September 26, 2014 by son of stan

[Steve S 60]

When and where? I can't find any info about where it's on on line...Even on the official site.(I mean a proper cinema where I can go one night after work or summat, not a soul nite...)

I would actually quite like to go and see it. There have been so many posts on this site from people who seem to have a vested (and baggied) interest but no actual info on its release....And now we are asked to mither our local cinema to show it? So excuse me for being sceptical...

Where is it on and when? It's a simple enough question.

Curzon Victoria

The Gate

Greenwich picture house

Dalston

17th Oct for first 3, 18th for last one I think, but best check.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Steve S 60

[Guest son of stan]

Thanks!

(And shit. I am out of the country, on holiday those 2 days...)

[Steve S 60]

Thanks!

(And shit. I am out of the country, on holiday those 2 days...)

The DVD is out on the 20th October.

[stevemcmahon]

When and where? I can't find any info about where it's on on line...Even on the official site.(I mean a proper cinema where I can go one night after work or summat, not a soul nite...)

I would actually quite like to go and see it. There have been so many posts on this site from people who seem to have a vested (and baggied) interest but no actual info on its release....And now we are asked to mither our local cinema to show it? So excuse me for being sceptical...

Where is it on and when? It's a simple enough question.

 

Really? If you read the original post all the info you need is right there:  "The up-to-date official list of Independent cinema's screening Elaine's film can be found here: https://bit.ly/NorthernSoulCinemas"

 

The old adage; "..damned if you do/don't" springs to mind. If this film were fully distributed & plastered all over the main cinemas you can guarantee it would be labelled as a sell out by a certain few. The situation of limited availability is what it is for certain reason which are best left alone, yet in an ironic twist have placed this film into a position which kind of befits an underground youth culture; that of being unavailable to the masses but possible to find if you dig deep enough. 

 

We are fortunate to live in a time where with very little effort it is now possible to join forces & directly lobby our local cinemas to screen a film which fully deserves the support from the scene it documents positively & for posterity. I for one can't wait for my teenage son to finally get a glimpse into the scene which was a big part of my youth & the essence of which is somewhat diluted these days by 'old folk' doing Dad dancing. The fact alone that Elaine & her team invested so much time & effort (over 4 years) into ensuring her young actors & extras got the moves (& the passion) right is testament to how much care has been put into getting this right & I for one can't wait to support it.