SCOTLAND’S mobile cinema is back on the road following a major internal and external refurbishment.
As well as having its hydraulics completely upgraded, the improved Screen Machine boasts a state-of-the-art digital projector and screen, reupholstered seats and a striking new livery by Highland-based designer Tristram Woolston.
The full refit was carried out in France at Toutenkamion, the world’s leading creators of cinemobiles.
Owned and operated by Regional Screen Scotland, the 80-seater HGV has been constantly on the road since it launched in 2005, bringing the magic of Hollywood and independent movies to communities from Barra to Bettyhill.
To celebrate its return to the road, the Screen Machine will be in residence in Brodick on the Isle of Arran from tomorrow until this Friday. Its programme includes the latest Disney blockbusters, this year’s Best Picture Oscar-winner Moonlight, and an “encore screening” of the National Theatre’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead starring Daniel Radcliffe.
The screenings also include New Media Scotland’s unique and evocative expanded cinema presentation of Scottish-French animation The Illusionist. As part of a collaboration with local Arran food and drink producers and scent technician Ericka Duffy, audiences will eat, drink and smell their way through the film.
For the first time ever, the Screen Machine will be parked alongside the Travelling Gallery, Scotland’s mobile contemporary art gallery. Its current exhibition Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat features artists who look at the industrialised and repetitive effects of the everyday.
“In launching our new tour in Brodick we’re presenting a showcase of the range of exciting experiences that our audiences can expect in the coming months,” said Robert Livingston, director of Regional Screen Scotland. “Not just the latest big releases, but special events like our expanded cinema collaboration with New Media Scotland, regular on-screen presentations of photography exhibitions in association with Street Level Photoworks, ‘encore’ screenings of live theatre relays, and special daytime events with partners such as Alzheimer Scotland and Into Film.”
“We’re also especially pleased to be collaborating with the Travelling Gallery, bringing our two very special vehicles together in the one location for the very first time, as a symbol of our intention to work together more regularly in the coming months.”
The newly improved Screen Machine will tour across Scotland until August 22, visiting everywhere from Barra to Gigha.
The refit has been made possible by grant aid from Creative Scotland’s National Lottery Funding, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, and Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Development Company, plus sponsorship from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here