Film at Karamel [Thu 20 Feb]
In late November 2013, Haringey’s disparate and independent film clubs got together for the first Haringey Film Group Festival, convening across the borough to screen a variety of filmic treat. Dubbed ‘Visions of Home’, a number of groups took part, each lending their own perspective and speciality to the mix. With contemporary Indian cinema from Wood Green’s Asian Centre, to rarely-seen gems from the likes of Haringey Independent Cinema, it was a party pack of pleasure and a roaring success all round. Collage Arts decided to join in the fun too, commencing the festival with a screening of Leo Carax’s powerful, provocative masterpiece ‘Les Amants du Pont-Neuf’, introduced by Oscar-nominated writer and director Yousaf Ali Khan. It was fantastic to see Karamel lit up by the screen flickering over a captivated audience, eager to take it in. So wonderful was it that we couldn’t help but turn it into a regular occurrence.
Film at Karamel is the newest addition to the Collage Arts’ thrilling line-up of free events, taking in a range of classics both old and new from all corners of the globe, and governed only by one steadfast rule; No Hollywood Allowed! Already scheduled in are the inventive and visually stunning French treasure ‘Micmacs’, Almodovar’s seminal ‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’, and haunting, tense Australian drama ‘Jindabyne’. ‘Les Amants…’ set the tone and theme for what’s to come with each film in the programme further exploring the difficulties of male/females relationships, and of living in a society fraught with moral dilemma. Each has their own language, both spoken and visual, and uses it to tackle the subjects distinctly. Whether exposing the absurdity of the arms trade, the rage of infidelity, or the strain beneath the surface of a dispassionate marriage, Film at Karamel promises to enrapture audiences throughout the year with some truly substantial food for thought, and that’s just the start.
Screenings: February 20, March 20, April 17 2014 from 7.30pm.