The popular village film club, known as Youlgrave Cinema, was formed in 2002 and continues to flourish with over 100 members enjoying monthly screenings at Youlgrave Village Hall.  Thanks to funding from the Countryside Agency, the Leader+ Access project and Derbyshire Rural Community Council, the club has purchased its own projection equipment, including a superb 14ft wide screen and digital projector with a special long-throw lens.

Opening night in 2002

It’s very much second time around for Youlgrave Cinema, since from the early 1920s to the 1950s films were shown at the Village Hall three or four times a week.  Hard to imagine in this high-tech communication age maybe, but back then villagers relied on their local ‘picture house’ for news and entertainment from the wider world, and Youlgrave Cinema screened to packed and enthusiastic audiences.

Today’s Youlgrave Cinema still uses the original projection box at the back of the hall, and there are even a few older members of our club who still sit in more or less the same seats as they did half a century ago!

The view from the projection box

Films shown in previous years include: Little Miss Sunshine, To Kill a Mockingbird, Il Postino, Casino Royale, Babel, The Station Agent, The Unforgiven, The Queen, The Kite Runner, Juno, The Haunting, Atonement, There will be Blood, Quiz Show, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Son of Rambow.

In September 2010 the film club launches its eighth season of films, with a packed and varied programme of top quality movies.  We have always aimed to be a community film club, inclusive and welcoming all-comers (you don’t have to live in Youlgrave to be a member).  However, we go out of our way to show a range of films that will not only entertain but will also amuse, provoke and intrigue, including at least one foreign language film each season.  Film night in Youlgrave is a sociable and enjoyable occasion, so that we always have a short film (sometime locally-made) to start with, an intermission so that the village sub-postmaster can serve up ice creams, then after the main feature the audience is invited to stay behind for a chat over a glass of wine.

Membership

Membership costs £28 for the full season of eight films, or £5 per film on the door. Prices have stayed the same as last season, so that at £28 for eight films (working out at just £3.50 per film) you not only get a short film before the main feature but also free film notes!
The films will all be screened at Youlgrave Village Hall on the dates below, starting at 7.30pm.  If you would like to join Youlgrave Cinema please contact Pat Cleaver (Treasurer) 01629 636836, or email: youlgravecinema@hoptontower.waitrose.com.

2010

24th September: Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Dr John Watson (Jude Law) capture the follower of black magic and serial killer Lord Blackwood, who has already killed five women, when he is about to kill his sixth victim.  Blackwood is sentenced to be strung up and Dr Watson attests his death.  However, Blackwood mysteriously returns from the afterlife and Sherlock Holmes is summoned to help Scotland Yard in the investigation.

22nd October: An Education

London, 1961: 16-year-old Jenny's life is planned out for her by her parents: 'A' levels and then Oxford University.  She then falls under the spell of a man nearly twice her age who shows her a new world of classical concerts, art auctions and nightlife.  Will David be her undoing, or will he help her realise her true potential?  Nominated for 3 Oscars.
12th November: The White Ribbon
Director Michael Haneke won the 2009 Palm d'Or at Cannes for this arresting drama set just before World War I.  In a small German village, a number of unexplained incidents beset the schoolchildren and their parents.  Though at first they appear coincidental, it begins to seem that they are not accidents at all.  A mysterious and disturbing film with a sinister riddle that will leave you deep in thought.

10th December: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

An inventive, visually stunning and incomparably funny film about three drag performers (Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce).  Christening their battered tour bus 'Priscilla', these wickedly funny drama queens head for the Australian outback where their spectacular adventures are more than matched by their spectacular outfits.  A road movie with attitude and the occasional frock.

2011

11th February: Invictus

The incredible story of how Nelson Mandela united all parts of South Africa's society behind the Springbok rugby team during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.  Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film stars Morgan Freeman as President Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the South African rugby team captain.  It's a tale of how a divided country can be united through the universal language of sport.
18th March: A Single Man
British expatriate George Falconer, an English professor in 1960s Los Angeles, is trying to cope with the loss of his long term partner and soulmate.  The film focuses on a single day during which decisions must be made and the future resolved.  Colin Firth earns a well deserved Oscar nomination for his deeply compassionate and poignant portrayal of Falconer.  A sensitive and moving film.

15th April: Precious

A vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.  Claireece 'Precious' Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is a girl born into a life no-one would want, with parents who abuse her emotionally and physically.  School is a place of chaos and Precious can neither read nor write, but expulsion leads to a life-line in a new school and someone who will help Precious on a journey from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, self-determination and love.  Also starring Mo'Nique and Lenny Kravitz, and featuring an outstanding performance from Mariah Carey as a social worker.  Winner of two Oscars and nominated for a further four.

13th May: Looking for Eric 

Eric is a postman with a chaotic family, wild stepsons, and a cement mixer in the front garden.  But it is Eric's own secret that drives him to the brink: can he face Lily, the woman he once loved?  Desperate times call for desperate measures and, with the help of a special friend, Eric embarks on a perilous journey - into his past.  From director Ken Loach and starring Eric Cantona.