In the Year of Our Lord 1991, in rat-infested Dickensian England, two decades of state pensions for artists and filmmakers came to an abrupt end. Embarrassingly, the ‘independent’ film culture that had sucked up all that lucre disappeared over night.
Deprived of the opportunity to become state-subsidised culture producers, some filmmakers grew bitter and banded together. Swearing to do something or other, come what may, they set about a bunch of stuff. Without the benign influence of arts funders, many filmmakers reverted to their native state, and a new Underground, with nasty, slightly rotted teeth, leered and coughed itself to life.
In dreadlock infested, dope smoking South London, Exploding Cinema was born in a damp room from the mystic unity of a projector, a sheet, and cheap grog.
Exploding Cinema , London's 16-year rolling seance in search of a living film culture, continues to draw the circle and invite all-comers.
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The Exploding Cinema is a coalition of film/video makers committed to developing new modes of exhibition for underground media; from DIY screenings in all kinds of venues to low/no budget film tours, cable T.V. and the internet.
We hold regular OPEN SCREENINGS of film/video for makers who want a popular audience for their work, we have no preference as to the kind of work ...drama, experimental, documentary, splatter, animation, true confessions, protest, pop promos, home videos, found footage....and we're looking for performance work and musicians. We have facilities for Super 8, 16mm, Standard 8, VHS, tape/slide, performance..... if you want to bring your own equipment or set up an installation that's no problem neither.
The group is voluntary and totally democratic, anyone can contribute, anyone can join the group.
Because the cinema is unfunded and non-profit making, we are unable to pay contributors but we do offer an exciting interactive public forum for work and ALL the money we make goes back into the events and buying better equipment.