CINEMA NAIRN

Cinema Nairn AGM & cinematic treat

2012-01-21T21:29:00.001Z

Our AGM will be held on Monday 20th February at 8.15pm in the Conference Room of Nairn Community & Arts Centre. There will be a short cinematic treat in store for all those who attend...

Here's a clue but the photo is not from the film!

2012 programme January to June

2012-01-04T20:05:00.001Z

Announcing our varied programme of planned film screenings in Nairn up until June...

Friday 27th January 7.30pm Some Like It Hot 1959 (PG) 115 mins Classic romp where Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are two musicians escaping ‘The Mob’ by joining an all female band led by Marilyn Munro.

Monday 27th February 7.30pm in the Little Theatre* Take One Action Film Festival Even the Rain 2010 (15) Spain (Subtitled) 103 mins + discussion afterwardsSpain conquered the New World for gold… 500 years on water is gold. As a director and his crew shoot a controversial movie about Columbus, local people rise up against plans to privatise the water supply.

Monday 12th March 2.00pm On the Town 1949 (U) 98mins Seniors Special £2.50 including tea and bakes - Wonderful music, including ‘New York, New York’, and terrific shots of New York city - Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly star.

Friday 30th March 7.30pm Source Code 2011 (12A) 93mins Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan star in this new Duncan Jones thriller, where a soldier wakes up in another body and discovers he is on a mission to find a train bomber.

Friday 20th April 7.30pm Another Time, Another Place 1983 (15) 118 mins Beautiful BAFTA winning adaptation of Jessie Kesson’s north-east classic, starring Phyllis Logan as Janie, the farmer’s wife who falls for an Italian P.O.W.

Friday 25th May 7.30pm Michael Clayton 2007 (15) 119 mins Another chance to see Tilda Swinton’s Oscar winning performance with George Clooney in this legal thriller.

Friday 29th June 7.30pm Made in Dagenham 2010 (15) 113 mins It’s 1968 at the Ford car plant, where underpaid female workers protest against sexual discrimination, starting the worldwide movement for equal pay. Sally Hawkins and Bob Hoskins star. (Note: Date changed from that originally published)

Note: during evening shows there is a bar facility from 7.00pm

£5.00 Adult/£3.00 Under 18s - All welcome

Admission will be in accordance with BBFC certification guidelines

*No bar at this event NB: Dates/programme subject to change

Miracle on 34th Street - CANCELLED

2011-12-05T12:25:00.000Z

Due to unforeseen circumstances this screening (16th December) has been cancelled, please accept our sincere apologies. Watch this space for news of our 2012 programme...

The Wildest Dream

2011-11-18T21:59:00.005Z

George Mallory was obsessed with becoming the first person to conquer the untouched Mount Everest. He was last seen 800 feet below the summit in 1924, before the clouds rolled in and he disappeared into legend. His death stunned the world.

75 years later, climber Conrad Anker’s life became intertwined with Mallory’s after finding his frozen body with all his belongings intact. The only thing missing was a photograph of his wife, Ruth, which Mallory had promised to place on the summit. Haunted by Mallory’s story, Conrad Anker returns to Everest with British climbing prodigy Leo Houlding to unravel the mysteries surrounding his disappearance.

Friday 25th November at 7.30pm Nairn Community and Arts Centre.

Tickets £4.00 on the door/Bar from 7.00pm

Insanity runs in the family? It gallops!

2011-11-01T20:53:00.000Z

Insanity runs in the family? It gallops! Cinema Nairn's latest Monday Matinee. "Arsenic & Old Lace"

Mortimer Brewster is a newspaperman and author known for his diatribes against marriage. We watch him being married at city hall in the opening scene. Now all that is required is a quick trip home to tell Mortimer's two maiden aunts. While trying to break the news, he finds out his aunts' hobby; killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. It gets worse...

Tickets only £2.00 plus teas and home-baking! (Arsenic not included, you'll be pleased to hear!)

Nairn Community & Arts Centre, Monday 14th November at 2.00 pm

NAIRN’S CINEMA GOES DOUBLE SPOOKY

2011-10-19T10:07:00.002+01:00

Cinema Nairn will get into the Halloween spirit by screening the first half of its double bill at 6.00pm, “The Ghost Goes West”. This cult comedy from the 1930s is about a Scottish castle shipped to America along with its resident kilted ghost.

The Highlander who does the haunting is suave Robert Donat, best known for his role as Hannay in Hitchcock’s "The 39 Steps". The film is a 'U' certificate and bound to delight all ages.

The public vote for the second half of the double bill, resulted in "Psycho" winning with 40% of the votes cast.

Pyscho (1960, Certificate 15) is Hitchcock's masterpiece of the macabre, starring Anthony Perkins as the troubled Norman Bates, whose old dark house and adjoining motel are not the place to spend a quiet evening. As for the famous shower scene – it took seven days to shoot and seventy camera setups for just forty-five seconds of footage.

The Cinema Nairn spooky double takes place on Friday 28th October at Nairn Community & Arts Centre on King Street in Nairn. Tickets for each film are £4.00 (£3.00 for under-18s and loyalty card holders). Refreshments and snacks will be available before each film.

Up, up and away...

2011-10-12T11:54:00.001+01:00

A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventure spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a Lost Land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However he has a stowaway aboard. An 8 year old boy named Russell, who's trying to get an Assisting the Elderly badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin. Winner of two Oscars, this charming animation has something for all ages.

Friday 21 October, 17:30 – 19:00 at Nairn Community & Arts Centre

CINEMA NAIRN COMES UP TRUMPED

2011-09-22T19:25:00.014+01:00

Ordinarily you’d expect a documentary about a golf course to go down a treat in the well-heeled seaside resort of Nairn, famous for its two first class links courses.

But the special film screening on Monday 3rd October by community group Cinema Nairn is likely to provoke a heated debate among golfers and non-golfers alike. The film in question is the critically-acclaimed “You’ve Been Trumped”, which looks at American billionaire Donald Trump’s controversial project to create a luxury golf resort on sensitive sand dunes in Aberdeenshire.

The film had its UK premiere in June at the Sheffield Documentary Festival where it won The Green Award. In July it won the Special Jury Prize at the Michael Moore film festival in the US. And it is now scheduled to be screened at select city venues around the UK, as well as Winnepeg in Canada, Bermuda and... Nairn.

The List magazine describes it as “arguably the most important film about Scottish environmental, land and identity rights to surface this year or any year.”

When first proposed, Trump's planning application was decisively rejected by the local authority. But in an unprecedented move the Scottish Government overturned the decision and gave the project the go-ahead – arguing the case for economic development and inward investment. Bulldozers rolled into action, as did the cameras...

Earlier this year we had a great audience for the classic film Local Hero. You’ve Been Trumped basically tells the same story except this is fact not fiction and almost on our doorstep. We’re really lucky to secure the film for our community-run cinema and we’re sure it will be of great interest to many.”

The film has also been acclaimed for its musical score, provided by Jonsi, the frontman of best-selling Icelandic band Sigur Ros. Check out the trailer on our video bar above...

You’ve Been Trumped is being screened by Cinema Nairn on Monday 3rd October at 8.30pm in Nairn Community & Arts Centre on King Street in Nairn. Tickets are priced at £4.00 (£3.00 for under-18s and loyalty card holders) and the 95-minute film is a Certificate 12.

Synopsis: In this David and Goliath story for the 21st century, a group of proud Scottish homeowners take on a celebrity tycoon. At stake is one of Britain's very last stretches of wilderness.

American billionaire Donald Trump has bought up hundreds of acres on the northeast coast of Scotland, best known to movie-lovers as the setting for the 1983 classic film Local Hero. And like the American oil tycoon played by Burt Lancaster, he needs to buy out a few more locals to make the deal come true. In a land swimming with golf courses, Trump is going to build two more – alongside a 450-room hotel and 1,500 luxury homes. The trouble is, the land he has purchased occupies one of Europe’s most environmentally sensitive stretches of coast, described by one leading scientist as Scotland’s Amazon rain forest. And the handful of local residents don't want it destroyed.

After the Scottish Government overturns its own environmental laws to give Trump the green light, the stage is set for an extraordinary summer of discontent, as the bulldozers spring into action. Water and power is cut off, land disputes erupt, and some residents have thousands of tonnes of earth piled up next to their homes. Complaints go ignored by the police, who instead arrest the film's director, Anthony Baxter. Local exasperation comes to a surreal head as the now “Dr” Trump scoops up an honorary doctorate from a local university, even as his tractors turn wild, untouched dunes into fairways.

Told entirely without narration, You've Been Trumped captures the cultural chasm between the glamorous, jet-setting and media savvy Donald Trump and a deeply rooted Scottish community. What begins as an often amusing clash of world views grows increasingly bitter and disturbing. For the tycoon, the golf course is just another deal, with a possible billion dollar payoff. For the residents, it represents the destruction of a globally unique landscape that has been the backdrop for their lives.

Funny, inspiring and heartbreaking in turns, You’ve Been Trumped is both an entertaining, can't-believe-it's-true tale and an environmental parable for our celebrity driven times. A moving score features music from jónsi, the internationally acclaimed musician and frontman of Sigur Ros. The film also offers a rare and revealing glimpse of the unfiltered Donald Trump, as he considers standing as a candidate for President of the United States.

The Kids Are Alright (they are aren't they?)

2011-09-15T21:02:00.001+01:00

At the urging of her 15 year-old brother Laser, the now 18 year-old Joni makes contact with their biological father, Paul, who as a teenager himself donated his sperm to a cryo-bank. Their parents, same sex couple Jules and Nic, aren't quite sure what to make of it when they learn what their kids have done. Jules likes him far more than Nic who begins to feel that he is taking their family away from her. It all becomes very complicated when Paul and Jules begin sleeping together and Paul starts to fall for her. A family dinner at Paul's house leads Nick to realize what is going on and when the kids overhear their argument, they're in on the secret as well leading to a crisis for everyone.

Friday 30th September at 7.30pm Nairn Community and Arts Centre. Tickets £4.00 on the door/Bar from 7.00pm

Change to programmed films

2011-08-31T13:03:00.000+01:00

Sadly due to the withdrawal of the screening licence* by the distributors of "West Side Story" we have been left with no alternative but to replace Friday's film with another. With the help of Laurence Sutcliffe we have chosen Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 "Romeo & Juliet" a well-respected, classic film from the same era, Laurence will still deliver his introduction regarding the influence of Shakespeare on film. Sincere apologies for the disappointment but the matter is beyond our control.

We have hit a similar issue with "The Kid Brother" as although a licence is possible, additional permission to screen has to be obtained from the Harold Lloyd Estate. In this instance we have opted to show Buster Keaton in "The General" which we trust will be a suitable replacement and that with Andy May's piano accompaniment you will enjoy a true silent movie experience.

* The licence has been withdrawn as they are about to release a new version and thus we have been left in limbo, unable to screen the existing version and the new version has not yet been released. When we checked at the start of the year we found that a licence was available and proceeded to add it to our programme/publicity material.

Nairn Book & Arts Festival 2011

2011-08-15T15:44:00.004+01:00

As part of the Nairn Book & Arts Festival 2011 we are screening two great movies: West Side Story (1961) Cert PG - The unforgettable and seminal original film of the musical West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein’s take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in the streets of New York.

An introduction about the influence of Shakespeare on film will be given by Lawrence Sutcliffe.

The Kid Brother (1927) Cert U, a classic Harold Lloyd silent movie (a western) which is great fun for all the family. Will Harold catch the thieves and win Mary’s heart? Being screened with live piano accompaniment from Andy May for an authentic feel of the era.

Tickets can be booked/bought in advance from Nairn Community & Arts Centre or online please see links below for full details.

West Side Story

The Kid Brother

Next Film "The Smallest Show On Earth" - Friday 29th July

2011-06-26T23:06:00.000+01:00

(Bill) Travers and (Virginia) McKenna play Matt and Jean, a young couple (they were married in real life) with a longing to visit exotic places, such as Samarkand. One day, Matt inherits a cinema from his great-uncle. When they look over their new property, they first mistake the modern 'Grand' for it. They are soon disillusioned to learn that the movie theatre they actually own is the old decrepit Bijou (nicknamed the "flea pit"), which is located next to a railway bridge. Along with the theatre, come three long-time employees: Mrs. Fazackalee (Rutherford), the cashier and bookkeeper, Mr. Quill (Sellers), the projectionist, and Old Tom (Miles) the janitor, doorkeeper and usher.

Robin (Phillips), their solicitor, informs them that the Grand's owner, Mr. Hardcastle (De Wolff), had offered to buy the Bijou from Matt's great-uncle for five thousand pounds in order to construct a car park for his nearby cinema. When they see their competitor however, he only offers them five hundred, thinking they have no choice but to accept.

Instead, on Robin's advice, they pretend to want to reopen the Bijou in order to force Hardcastle to raise his offer. At first, they seem to be succeeding, but then Old Tom inadvertently lets slip their overheard plan and Hardcastle refuses to budge. They decide to carry on with their bluff and go through with the opening. After a few mishaps, the business flourishes, especially after Matt hires the curvaceous Marlene Hogg (Cunningham) to sell ice creams and other treats at the interval.

Hardcastle counters by slipping a bottle of whisky into the next shipment of film reels for Quill, who has a drinking problem. He eventually succumbs to the temptation (while parched actors crawl across a desert on the screen), leaving Matt to try unsuccessfully to substitute for him; they are forced to refund the customers' money. Matt and Jean are ready to give up (with Old Tom eavesdropping again) only to wake up the next morning to find that the Grand has burned down. Hardcastle is forced to pay ten thousand pounds for the Bijou in order to stay in business while his theatre is being rebuilt. As an added condition, he has to keep the three staff on as employees.

Just as Matt and Jean are leaving on the train, Old Tom tells Matt that "It were the only way, weren't it?" implying he committed arson. Alarmed, they decide to write him a letter asking him to clarify his remark, but instead send him a postcard... from Samarkand.

From Wikipedia

Review of "The Illusionist" our next screening

2011-06-02T09:47:00.000+01:00

Follow this link to read a Review of "The Illusionist" a charming, funny animated tale about an unemployed French magician who sets off on a life enhancing journey around Scotland. A real treat for cinema lovers in Nairn. All ages welcome...

Review of "The Illusionist"

An Education - our film choice for 10th May

2011-04-19T21:24:00.002+01:00

Offering a screening at 10.00am so that parents who might otherwise not get chance to see this film is perhaps a bit of a gamble, we'll see how it goes...

In the early 1960's, sixteen year old Jenny Mellor lives with her parents in the London suburb of Twickenham. On her father's wishes, everything that Jenny does is in the sole pursuit of being accepted into Oxford, as he wants her to have a better life than he. Jenny is bright, pretty, hard working but also naturally gifted. The only problems her father may perceive in her life is her issue with learning Latin, and her dating a boy named Graham, who is nice but socially awkward. Jenny's life changes after she meets David Goldman, a man over twice her age.

David goes out of his way to show Jenny and her family that his interest in her is not improper and that he wants solely to expose her to cultural activities which she enjoys. Jenny quickly gets accustomed to the life to which David and his constant companions, Danny and Helen, have shown her, and Jenny and David's relationship does move into becoming a romantic one...

Catch it on Tuesday 10th May at Nairn Community & Arts Centre. Film starts at 10.00am

Chinatown

2011-03-31T21:29:00.001+01:00

JJ 'Jake' Gittes is a private detective who seems to specialize in matrimonial cases. He is hired by Evelyn Mulwray when she suspects her husband Hollis, builder of the city's water supply system, of having an affair.

Gittes does what he does best and photographs him with a young girl but in the ensuing scandal, it seems he was hired by an impersonator and not the real Mrs. Mulwray. When Mr. Mulwray is found dead, Jake is plunged into a complex web of deceit involving murder, incest and municipal corruption all related to the city's water supply.

Friday 15th April at Nairn Community and Arts Centre
Film starts at 7.30pm Doors & Bar open from 7.00pm

Singing In The Rain - perhaps one of the most famous songs from a movie ever!

2011-02-06T12:16:00.004Z

Singing In The Rain performed by Gene Kelly come along to Cinema Nairn, join the crowd to see and hear it in all it's Technicolor glory... You can't really say much more about a great classic such as this film - just brilliant!

Another classic song routine in this movie is Make 'Em Laugh Apologies but I could not embed this clip

Showing at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre on Monday 14th February at 2.00pm - all ages welcome, tickets on the door £2.00 - Teas and Homebaking too...

The Playhouse Cinema, Church Street, Nairn...

2011-01-23T19:46:00.000Z

A short piece of footage showing what remained of The Playhouse in Church Street, captured a few days ago by Jason Rose.

First AGM & Quiz Night

2011-01-19T09:56:00.000Z

Our first AGM was a great success. We had a good turnout and were able to report we are financially sound a year into our endeavour thanks to the film fans of Nairn (and further afield!) and generous support from the Rotary and Nairn Discretionary Fund. The public support and donations of funding ensure we can show a wide range of films and keep ticket prices low. We also made a point of thanking Sam Morrison and the staff of Nairn Community And Arts Centre for their help.

The AGM was followed by a Film Quiz and the photo above showa the winning team, three of whom had travelled all the way from Inverness to take part. Pictured with them is Seamus McArdle, Cinema Nairn volunteer Box Office Manager and Treasurer, and, er, Charlie Chaplin.

Calendar Updated

2011-01-10T21:00:00.000Z

Hi I've just updated the Google Calendar on the blog with dates/times all forthcoming films apart from those due to be screened as part of the Book & Arts Festival as the timings have yet to be determined for those particular films.

Programme for 2011

2010-12-20T23:12:00.000Z

We hope that there's something here for everyone...

Monday 17th January 8:15pm
AGM, 2011 Launch & Film Quiz! Everyone Welcome
Join us to launch the 2011programme, take part in the AGM and test your film knowledge in a friendly film quiz! Bar available from 7:45pm for an 8:15 start in Community Centre Conference Room

Friday 28th January 7:30pm
Local Hero (1983) PG
Voted into third place in Cinema Nairn’s Fans Poll. Best loved of Bill Forsyth films. American oil billionaire Happer (Burt Lancaster) has designs on a remote Scottish beauty spot.

Monday 14th February 2:00pm • Seniors Special
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) U
Following our inaugural year’s screening for seniors’ we are proud to present the classic musical comedy with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. All welcome

Friday 4th March 7:30pm
Julie and Julia (2009) 12A (Subject to availability)
A big hit in 2009, this is a charming and witty true story of how Cordon Bleu cook Julia Child (brilliantly played by Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (Amy Adams) connect over the decades as Julie gets her life back together.

Friday 25th March 7:30pm
3:10 to Yuma (1957) PG
The original (and best!) version of the classic western starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. The outlaw Ben Wade (Ford) and his gang captures a small town. Local rancher Dan Evans (Heflin) tries to do something about it and heads for the station to catch – the 3:10 to Yuma!

Friday 15th April 7:30
Chinatown (1974) 15
The gritty, multi-award winning Polanski detective thriller with Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway showing in Cinema Nairn in recognition of the international critic’s award as the ‘best film ever made’.

Tuesday 10th May 10:00am
An Education (2009) 12A
Parent and Baby Special. Everyone welcome.
This is the wonderful 2009 hit film where the young rising star Carey Mulligan won an OSCAR nomination for best actor. Mulligan plays Jenny a bright Oxford-bound schoolgirl in 1960s London. Then playboy David (Peter Sarsgaard) comes on the scene...

Friday 27th May 7:30pm
Bright Star (2009) PG
This is a beautiful film from director Jane Campion telling the story of 19th century poet John Keats’ (played by Ben Wishaw) three year love affair with Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish).

Monday 13th June 2:00pm • Seniors Special
The Illusionist (2010) PG
In this terrific Sylvian Chomet animation an unemployed French magician sets off on a life enhancing journey round Scotland. A real treat for cinema lovers in Nairn. All welcome

Friday 24th June 7:30pm
Das Boot (1981) 12
Introduced by Commander Tim Honnor, RN Ret’d
This wartime epic charts the boredom, claustrophobia and then terror within a German U boat on an Atlantic mission. Cinema Nairn are thrilled that Tim Honnor (ex~submarine commander) will introduce the film.

Friday 29th July 7:30pm
The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) U
Jean and Matt inherit an old cinema and it’s elderly employees (Peter Sellars, Margaret Rutherford and Bernard Miles). Things don’t quite go to plan!

In association with Nairn Books & Arts Festival
31st August - 4th September

The Kid Brother (1927) U • Date TBD
A classic Harold Lloyd silent movie (a western) which is great fun for all the family. Will Harold (Harold Lloyd) catch the thieves and win Mary’s heart?

West Side Story (1961) PG • Date TBD
Bernstein’s telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, told with music and dance from the streets of New York. Accompanied by a talk on the influence of Shakespeare on film.

Friday 30th September 7:30pm
The Kids are All Right (2010) 15 (Subject to Availability)
The kids of gay couple Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) decide to trace their sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo). A chance to see one of the hits of 2010, right here in Nairn!

Friday 21st October 5:30 • A Children’s Special
Up (2009) U
Another chance to see this fabulous Oscar winning animation about a flyaway house.

Friday 28th October 7:00pm
Fans’ Poll
A spooky double bill, where the two films shown will be chosen by the fans of Cinema Nairn.

Monday 14th November 2:00pm • Seniors Special
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) PG (with subtitles)
Voted into second place in the Fans Poll in 2010, this is a classic of black and white cinema. Starring Carry Grant as Mortimer as he discovers that his elderly aunts are homicidal maniacs! All welcome

Friday 25th November 7:30pm
The Wildest Dream (2010) PG
Everest provides the fantastic backdrop in this visually stunning film. Conrad Anker, who found George Mallory’s body, recreates his life and expedition. Could George Mallory have been the first person to conquer Everest?

Friday 16th December 7:30pm
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) U
Cinema Nairn’s Christmas Film
The new Santa at Macy’s store seems too good to be true! A lovely family film for Christmas with the added bonus of Maureen O’Hara, John Payne and Edmund Gwenn!

Two great films for December

2010-12-02T21:42:00.002Z

First up on the Friday 17th is "The Boys Are Back" - Joe Warr (Clive Owen) is a British sports writer who lives in Australia with his second wife, Katy (Laura Fraser) and his young, eccentric son Artie (Nicholas McAnulty). When Katy gets diagnosed with cancer and passes away, Joe copes with the responsibilities of being a single parent with the help of his beloved wife's spirit.

His teenaged son from his first marriage, Harry (George MacKay) who feels abandoned in the UK with his mother who hates him uses Katies death as an opportunity to try and build a relationship with his father and comes to visit him in Australia for a while. Although Harry is at first unnerved by the lack of discipline in the house, he eventually warms up and forms a strong bond with Artie whilst struggling with his relationship with Joe.

When Joe is forced by work to leave the two of them alone in the house for a night, local teenagers throw a house party at the house against both boys' will.

With the house ransacked, Harry flies back to England. Joe and Artie come after him and after a while, Harry is convinced to move to Australia full time.

Joe has been brought closer to both of his sons, but continues to raise them with the same lack of discipline as before.

Then on Saturday 18th we are screening "The Pink Panther" - As a child, Princess Dala is given, by her father, the largest diamond in the world, in which if you stare into it can be seen a "Pink Panther" hence the name. However, now as a young woman, rebels in her home country have seized power and are demanding the return of the jewel.

Dala relaxes on holiday in an exclusive skiing resort but noted British playboy, Sir Charles Lytton is in town. He is secretly "The Phantom" - infamous jewel thief who has eyes on the Pink Panther. Charles's playboy nephew George follows to the resort in an attempt to steal it and blame it on "The Phantom", not knowing that it's his uncle.

On the Phantom's trail is Inspector Jacques Clouseau, from France, and his wife who, unknowingly to Jacques, is the lover of Charles and helper in the Phantom's crime.

Jacques tries to stop the attempts but he is so clueless that when several attempts are made at a fantasy-dress party, Jacques looks everywhere but the right place...

And the winner is...

2010-11-25T21:51:00.000Z

"The Boys Are Back" with nine votes secured a winning place over "Arsenic And Old Lace" that polled eight votes with "Local Hero" and "Roman Holiday" each attracting seven votes, forty votes were cast in all which is just about 50% of the fans.

And this months film is...

2010-11-16T23:03:00.003Z

SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS

(Cert 15) 1999 127 minutes

Carl, a fisherman in the waters off Washington state, has been found dead, drowned in his own nets, but with a serious head wound. Was he murdered? Post-war anti-Japanese sentiments are still running high, and a murder suspect is found in the local Japanese-American community in the form of Kabuo, another fisherman, who had a grudge against Carl's family. Ishmael, the small town's newspaperman, may have the information that would acquit Kabuo, but can he ever put his jilted love for Hatsue (Kazuo's wife) aside?

Nairn Community & Arts Centre

Saturday 20th November

Doors/Bar from 7.00pm/Film starts at 7.30pm

Vote for the Christmas movie - you decide...

2010-10-14T21:12:00.001+01:00

Here's your chance to have a say in what movie is screened by Cinema Nairn on 17th December 2010. Just use the polling gadget here on our blog to cast your vote. The film choices are outlined below:

	In The Loop (2009) Cert 15 The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war. But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing. The US General Miller doesn't think so and neither does the British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster. But, after Simon accidentally backs military action on TV, he suddenly has a lot of friends in Washington, DC. If Simon can get in with the right DC people, if his entourage of one can sleep with the right intern, and if they can both stop the Prime Minister's chief spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker rigging the vote at the UN, they can halt the war. If they don't... well, they can always sack their Director of Communications Judy, who they never liked anyway and who's back home dealing with voters with blocked drains and a man who's angry about a collapsing wall.
	The Boys Are Back (2009) Cert 12A is a confessional tale of fatherhood. It follows a witty, wisecracking, action-oriented sportswriter who, in the wake of his wife's death, finds himself in a sudden, stultifying state of single parenthood. Joe Warr throws himself into the only child-rearing philosophy he thinks has a shot at bringing joy back into their lives: "just says yes." Raising two boys - a curious six year-old and a rebel teen from a previous marriage -- in a household devoid of feminine influence, and with a lack of rules, life becomes exuberant, instinctual, reckless... and on the constant verge of disaster. The three multi-generational boys of the Warr household, father and sons alike, must each find their own way, however tenuous, to grow up.
	A Fish Called Wanda (1988) Cert 15 Sexy American diamonds lover Wanda and her boyfriend Otto are in England to plot alongside George and Ken the robbery of a diamond collection. Wanda and Otto want the stolen diamonds for themselves, and inform the police about George not knowing that he has already moved the diamonds to another secret place. Wanda thinks the best way to find out is by getting close to George's lawyer - Archie Leach.
	Local Hero (1983) Cert PG Oil billionaire Happer sends Mac to a remote Scotish villiage to secure the property rights for an oil refinery they want to build. Mac teams up with Danny and starts the negotiations, the locals are keen to get their hands on the 'Silver Dollar' and can't believe their luck. However a local hermit and beach scavenger, Ben Knox, lives in a shack on the crucial beach which he also owns. Happer is more interested in the Northern Lights and Danny in a surreal girl with webbed feet, Marina. Mac is used to a Houston office with fax machines but is forced to negotiate on Bens terms.
	Roman Holiday (1953) Cert U Princess Anne embarks on a highly publicized tour of European capitals. When she and her royal entourage arrive in Rome, she begins to rebel against her restricted, regimented schedule. One night Anne sneaks out of her room, hops into the back of a delivery truck and escapes her luxurious confinement. However, a sedative she was forced to take earlier starts to take effect, and the princess is soon fast asleep on a public bench. She is found by Joe Bradley, an American newspaper reporter stationed in Rome. He takes her back to his apartment. The next morning Joe dashes off to cover the Princess Anne press conference, unaware that she is sleeping on his couch! Once he realizes his good fortune, Joe promises his editor an exclusive interview with the princess.
	Arsenic And Old Lace (1944) Cert U Mortimer Bruster is a newspaperman and author known for his diatribes against marriage. We watch him being married at city hall in the opening scene. Now all that is required is a quick trip home to tell Mortimer's two maiden aunts. While trying to break the news, he finds out his aunts' hobby; killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. It gets worse.
	The Thin Man (1934) Cert U After a four year absence, one time detective Nick Charles returns to New York with his new wife Nora and their dog, Asta. Nick re-connects with many of his old cronies, several of whom are eccentric characters, to say the least. He's also approached by Dorothy Wynant whose inventor father Clyde Wynant is suspected of murdering her step-mother. Her father had left on a planned trip some months before and she has had no contact with him. Nick isn't all that keen on resuming his former profession but egged-on by wife Nora, who thinks this all very exciting, he agrees to help out. He solves the case, announcing the identity of the killer at a dinner party for all of the suspects.

A chance to see a great British classic - The Railway Children

2010-09-29T21:07:00.001+01:00

Those who haven't seen this movie before or those who haven't seen it in a while (or even those who have only ever seen it on television) should take the opportunity to watch this fantastic family film on the big screen. Kids of all ages welcome.

Based on the book by Edith Nesbit, the story concerns the Waterbury family who move to "Three Chimneys", a house near the railway, after the father who works at the Foreign Office, is imprisoned as a result of being falsely accused of selling state secrets to the Russians. The three children, Roberta (Bobbie), Peter and Phyllis, find amusement in watching the trains on the nearby railway line and waving to the passengers. They become friendly with Albert Perks, the station porter, and with the Old Gentleman who regularly takes the 9:15 down train. He is eventually able to help prove their father's innocence, and the family is reunited. The family take care of the Russian exile, Mr Szczepansky, who came to England looking for his family (later located) and Jim, the grandson of the Old Gentleman, who suffers a broken leg in a tunnel.

The theme of an innocent man being falsely imprisoned for espionage and finally vindicated might have been influenced by the Dreyfus Affair, which was a prominent worldwide news item a few years before the book was written.

Join us to watch The Railway Children at Nairn Community & Arts Centre on Friday 1st October at 5.30pm

A Canterbury Tale

2010-09-15T13:08:00.001+01:00

Joan Noble (Cinema Nairn) refreshs the film goers following the movie

With over a hundred senior citizens in attendance 'A Canterbury Tale' proved to be a roaring success, those attending loved the film with many commented that it was the first time they had been to the pictures in decades!

The tea and homebaking afterwards added to the treat, a great big "Thank You" to all those that contributed and helped on the day - your support was instrumental in making the event such a success. It was very pleasing to see Cinema Nairn giving the community something it so clearly needed

CINEMA NAIRN GETS LOST WITH CHET BAKER, SALUTES LAND GIRLS

2010-07-27T21:37:00.000+01:00

The latest season of films from Cinema Nairn, the community group behind the revival of big screen entertainment in the seaside town, includes a celebration of life during wartime in a rural community and a documentary for music fans bereft at the lack of a jazz festival this summer.

For starters, youngsters and parents nearing the end of the summer holidays are invited to relax with the help of Jacques Tati, the legendary French slapstick comedian and director.

His debut film, ‘Jour de Fete’, from 1948 will be screened on 11 August at 2.00pm with a special under-18 ticket price of only £2.00 Hilarity is guaranteed as the town prepares for its annual gala day. One reviewer said of Tati: “He makes cycling along a tranquil country lane as spellbinding as if it were taking place on a high wire.”

“HEART THROB TO TOOTHLESS ADDICT”

August is normally the month of the Nairn International Jazz Festival but the event is taking a break this year. To ensure jazz fans get their fix Cinema Nairn is pleased to present ‘Let’s Get Lost’, the acclaimed documentary about trumpeter Chet Baker, on 27 August at 7.30pm.

Jason Rose of Cinema Nairn said: “Let’s Get Lost will be a big attraction for any music fan and indeed anyone intrigued by the Chet Baker story. He went from heartthrob to toothless addict almost overnight. The film’s director, Bruce Weber, has created not just a documentary but a piece of art. The way the images and music blend is astonishing and I can‘t wait to see it on the big screen.”

WARTIME LIFE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY

This summer marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and Cinema Nairn wanted to mark the efforts of those who served during the Second World War. ‘A Canterbury Tale’, which brilliantly recounts wartime life in a rural community, will be screened at 2.00pm on 13 September with tickets reduced to just £2.00

Sue Halliday of Cinema Nairn said: “We wanted to put on a film for an older audience in Nairn and rather than the obvious war movies we’ve gone for a beautiful story that focuses on those who were left behind and kept the country going. The film is open to all and the timing ensures members of Nairn’s lunch clubs can easily attend.”

A Canterbury Tale was directed and produced by Powell and Pressburger, who created such film gems as A Matter of Life and Death and I Know Where I’m Going.

Following the film complimentary tea and home baking will be served.

FANS’ BALLOT TO DECIDE XMAS MOVIE

This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Railway Children and to help introduce this timeless and magical movie to the next generation Cinema Nairn has booked it for an early evening family-friendly screening on 1 October starting at 5.30pm.

As well as showing classics and forgotten gems Cinema Nairn is keen to screen recent releases, particularly those which some film fans miss on their mainstream release. The Hurt Locker, which earlier this year picked up six Oscars, will be shown on 29 October at 7.30pm. This thrilling account of a bomb disposal squad in Iraq was described by one reviewer as the most interesting, tense and suspenseful action film in years.

November’s film has a suitably wintry theme - Snow Falling on Cedars. This 1999 film was nominated for an Oscar and is one of the most atmospheric murder mysteries of recent years. It will be shown at 7.30pm on 20 November.

To decide which comedy fills the pre-Christmas slot on 17 December Cinema Nairn Fans will be invited to cast a vote. Details will be announced in the autumn.

And to round off the year there will be another screening aimed at families and younger film fans - The Pink Panther on Saturday 18 December at 2.00pm with under-18 tickets again reduced to just £2.00 This is the original (and best) outing from 1963 for gaffe-prone Inspector Clouseau.

More information about Cinema Nairn can be found on line at www.cinemanairn.blogspot.com. All screenings take place at Nairn Community Centre. Tickets are normally priced at £4.00 (£3.00 for under 18s) and before the 7.30pm films a bar is available from 7.00pm

FRIDAY’S FILM

The next film is Looking for Eric this Friday (30 July) at 7.30pm. Directed by Ken Loach it tells the touching and funny story of a postie in a crisis who gets advice from none other than French footballer Eric Cantona.

Change of title...

2010-07-20T11:49:00.000+01:00

In a slight change to our programme we will now be screening 'Jour De Fete' instead of 'Mon Oncle' both Jacques Tati classics, the replacement is of a shorter running time which we feel might suit younger viewers.

(Anyone) Looking For Eric?

2010-07-17T11:13:00.001+01:00

The final film presented by Cinema Nairn before the next season of screenings (take a look at the calendar above) is the 2009 Ken Loach movie "Looking For Eric" on Friday 30th July.

The plot revolves around a football fanatic postman whose life is descending into crisis. Looking after his granddaughter is bringing him into contact with his ex-wife, and his stepson is hoarding a gun for a local gangster.

At his weakest moments, when he considers suicide, his hallucinations bring forth visits from his footballing hero, the famously philosophical Eric Cantona.

Penultimate film for this season 'Out Of Africa' - Friday 25th June

2010-06-12T08:28:00.001+01:00

With just two films to go before our new season is upon us join us for Sydney Pollack's 'Out Of Afica' starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Karen Blixen, a Danish woman, marries a friend for the title of Baroness and they move to Africa and start a coffee plantation. Things unfold when her husband begins cheating on her and is away on business often, so she's at home alone, working on the farm and bonding with two men she met in her first day in Africa.

She eventually falls in love with the one, Denys Finch-Hatton and goes on safari and whatnot with him. Later, she begins to want more from him than the simple friendship/relationship they have and pushes marriage, but Denys still wants his freedom. By the end, she's gained a much better understanding and respect for the African culture than when she came.

...and now for the next film "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"

2010-06-06T12:43:00.000+01:00

In LA, while escaping from the police after an unsuccessful robbery, the small time thief Harry Lockhart is accidentally submitted to an audition for a role of detective in a movie, and invited to a party. He meets a private eye Gay Perry, who suggests him to participate of an investigation to develop his character. He also meets the gorgeous aspirant actress Harmony Faith Lane, and finds that she was a friend of his childhood for whom he had a crush. Harry and Perry get involved in an intricate murder case with many leads. With the support of Harmony, they find the sordid truth of the case.

Join us to watch it on Tuesday 8th June at 10.00pm at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre - Tickets £4.00/3.00 U18s from Nairn Book Shop, Nairn Community & Arts Centre and online via Nairn Book & Arts Festival website.

Festival films kick off in 'Manhattan'

2010-06-05T13:44:00.000+01:00

The first film to feature during the Nairn Book & Arts Festival is being shown tonight in the Community & Arts Centre at 10.00pm. Woody Allen's classic 'Manhattan' opens with a montage of images of Manhattan accompanied by George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue...

Isaac, 42, has divorced Jill. She is now living with another woman, Connie, and is writing a book in which she will reveal some very private points of their relationship. Isaac has a love affair with Tracy, 17, when he meets Mary, the mistress of his best friend Yale. Yale is already married to Emily.

Shakespeare In Love - New time for screening

2010-05-26T11:24:00.001+01:00

Shakespeare in Love which will be shown during the Nairn Book & Arts Festival will now be screened at 8.00pm. Modified posters are being distributed around the town.

This was due to a Festival event being cancelled and it was felt that showing the film at an earlier time was the best option.

Sweet Smell of Success (1957) - Friday 28th May 2010

2010-05-20T16:50:00.000+01:00

Just a quick reminder that this month's screening is 'Sweet Smell Of Success (Cert PG) showing on Friday 28th May at Nairn Community & Arts Centre at 7.30pm

Plot: Powerful but unethical Broadway columnist J.J. Hunsecker coerces unscrupulous press agent Sidney Falco into breaking up his sister's romance with a jazz musician.

Tickets £4.00 (£3.00 Under 18s) from the Community Centre, The Bookshop or iolaire photo:graphics (at the railway station)

Remember that the bar is open from 7.00pm and you are welcome to request any film you would like to see screened in Nairn (we do our best to show the most commonly requested movies)

Phil M Buff

Gone Fishing

2010-03-29T09:42:00.004+01:00

As a result of some slight technical problems with 'Moon' we screened 'Gone Fishing' whilst the issues were resolved. However, for those that want to see this fantastic wee movie we will be showing it again before 'The Searchers' on Friday 30th April.

This thirteen minute short is an excellent example of what can be done in a smaller time frame, with a limited budget (£15,000) without compromising the story line or quality.

Featuring well-known Scottish actor Bill Paterson it tells the tale of The touching story of a boy and old man coming to terms with bereavement through their shared love of fishing.

One reviewer wrote this:
"I cannot believe that so much pure excellence was crammed into less than 15 minutes of film. It's simply a masterpiece, lovingly crafted, beautifully shot, perfectly acted. I rarely gush over a film but in this case I have to. It's a touching story of an old man and his young relative reminiscing on the day of a funeral about the day in the old man's past where he took on a legendary giant pike in a nearby lake.

How this is told and played out takes you on story that is filled with humour and many rich and unexpected moments. It left me with a great warm and uplifted feeling, some two hour films costing millions easily fail to do that. The art of the short film needs to be rediscovered."
Find out more here

CINEMA NAIRN FESTIVAL FILMS

2010-03-10T21:57:00.000Z

Cinema Nairn (in partnership with Nairn Book and Arts Festival) will be screening three films with literary connections/themes during this years Festival - Manhattan (1979), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) and Shakespeare In Love (1999) all three are Certificate 15 and will be shown at 10.00pm in the Nairn Community & Arts Centre.

These have now been added to our Google calendar and also their respective trailers can be seen on the Trailer Bar.

Further details of Nairn Book and Arts Festival events can be seen on their website

QR Code for Cinema Nairn

2010-03-08T15:52:00.000Z

Scan this bar code with your mobile phone...

Where next the Moon?

2010-02-23T13:02:00.003Z

Our next screening 'Moon' Cert 15 (Friday 26th March) picked up a well-deserved BAFTA on Saturday night. The film, about a stranded astronaut, won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer, the young director Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie) was quite emotional when accepting the award, I'm sure his dad was pleased.

More details here

Cinema Paradiso - Saturday Night 7.30pm

2010-02-18T13:47:00.001Z

Just a quick reminder that this month's screening is of Cinema Paradiso (Cert PG) showing on Saturday evening at Nairn Community & Arts Centre at 7.30pm

Tickets £4.00 (£3.00 Under 18s) from the Community Centre, The Bookshop or iolaire photo:graphics (at the railway station)

See you there

Phil M Buff

Check out the Trailer Bar...

2010-02-03T17:07:00.000Z

Hi folks

I have finally worked out how to get trailers of each of our forthcoming films (courtesy of YouTube) embedded into the blog. So now you can have a wee preview of the film before you come along to the screening...

Cheers

Phil M Buff

Synchronise your mobiles

2010-01-30T09:56:00.002Z

Any film fans with a Google account can keep themselves up to date by synching our programme (which is available on Google Calendar) with their iPhone, Blackberry, Android, etc.

Further details here any problems give Phil M Buff a nudge (wink, wink say no more Squire!)

Film Fan Application Form

2010-01-28T22:44:00.001Z

Hi Everyone

You will find a copy of the application form at the foot of this page, simply print out a copy (at full size), complete and return it with your payment - £5.00 per year gets you a £1.00 discount of six screenings - you know it makes sense...

Phil M Buff

2010 Film programme...

2010-01-27T21:54:00.012Z

All screenings are on Fridays at 7.30pm (apart from Saturday 20 February) - Adults £4.00/U18s £3.00

Saturday 20 February
Cinema Paradiso (Cert PG) 1988 in Italian with English subtitles
Oscar for Best Foreign language film. Beautiful flashback story of a famous film director’s return to his Sicilian village.

Friday 26 March
Moon (Cert 15) 2009
Best British Independent Film 2009. Nominated for two BAFTAs
Sci-fi/psychological drama set in a space station where Sam has been ‘alone’ for three years.

Friday 30 April
The Searchers (Cert U) 1956
The John Ford classic western where John Wayne plays a civil war veteran on a five year mission to free his captive niece from the Indians.

Friday 28 May
Sweet Smell of Success (Cert PG) 1957
Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis star in this quick fire film noir set in the world of journalism.

Friday 25 June
Out of Africa (Cert PG) 1985
Robert Redford and Meryl Streep’s Oscar winning classic, telling the true story of a doomed love affair in colonial Kenya.

Friday 30 July
Looking for Eric (Cert 15) 2009
Ken Loach’s comedy about a football mad postie whose life is in chaos until he gets some life coaching from an unusual source.

We hope to show some children’s films in addition to the above.

Further dates for your diary:

27 August
1 October (5.30pm)
29 October
26 November
17 December
18 December

Also watch out for some literary themed films during the Nairn Book and Arts Festival 5 - 12 June

Second screening success (despite snow and ice)

2010-01-15T16:07:00.001Z

Nairn film fans braved the slightly inclement weather to see 'Toy Story' and 'Kinky Boots' with 57 brave souls venturing out to the Community Centre - thank you all!

Cinema Nairn has a growing mailing list and should you wish to add your name to that list please contact us along with any films that you would like to suggest. Once we programme the screenings for the next few months we will be publicising them widely and regularly to try and increase the audience size.

The five films we have shown to date are just the start and we hope that in addition to regular monthly film nights that we may stage other (perhaps themed) screenings or films related to other events going on in the Nairn area ie Book & Arts Festival, Jazz Festival, Nairnshire Challenge.

Watch this space and watch some films...

A FREE FILM AND A KINKY COMEDY – CINEMA NAIRN: THE SEQUEL!

2009-12-27T23:19:00.001Z

Cinema Nairn, the community group reviving big screen films in the seaside town, are pulling back the velvet curtain to reveal a surprising sequel to November’s successful launch.

On Friday 8th January two movies will be screened – one of which will be totally free, as a way of saying thank you to the support received so far and to encourage even more people to take an interest in the project.

The venue will once more be Nairn Community Centre.

At 6.00pm families frazzled from Christmas and New Year and fretting about the return to school will be able to unwind with a big screen showing of “Toy Story” (rated U), the groundbreaking 1995 comedy that was the first feature film to use only computer animation.

The event is completely free with seats allocated on a first come first served basis. Doors will open at 5.30pm

Then at 8.00pm there will be a screening of the 2005 British comedy “Kinky Boots” (rated 12A), which has developed something of a cult following.
The film is based on a true story involving a dreamer from a small town who strikes it lucky in the boot business thanks to some rather exotic inspiration.

It has been described as 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' meets 'The Full Monty', full of stand-out performances and charming characters, and is guaranteed to banish the winter blues.

Tickets, priced £4.00 (£3.00 concessions), will be available from the Community Centre, Nairn Bookshop and iolaire photo:graphics (at the railway station).

Successful launch day

2009-11-30T09:37:00.000Z

Thank you to all our supporters.

The three films chosen to kick of Cinema Nairn seemed to prove popular with a sizeable crowd attending each screening - about 130 people in total for the three films. "I Know Where I'm Going" proved the most popular (as predicted by our poll) with 61 people in attendance.

We were left hundreds of comments/suggestions and a few additional volunteers made themselves known, so once we have sifted through the notes and decided what to show/do next we will make announcements here and in the press.

Meanwhile we understand that we will be featuring on "Reporting Scotland" tonight (Monday 30th November) as some filming was carried out by the BBC at yesterdays event.

Tickets selling steadily for Nairn's film-filled day

2009-11-25T22:17:00.000Z

All three ticket outlets report steady sales of tickets for all three films due to be screened this Sunday (29th November) at the Nairn Community Centre. "I Know Where I'm Going" seems to be the favourite on our poll and ticket sales seem to bear this out. Don't miss your chance to influence any future screenings in Nairn by coming to a show and letting know what you want to see next.

Remember our prices are about half of the local flea-pits (Adults £4.00/Kids/Concessions £3.00) and we don't carry advertising or flog overpriced junk food!!

You know it makes sense...

Original 1960 trailer for "The Magnificent Seven"

2009-11-18T22:16:00.005Z

Trailer 1 Trailer 2

Press coverage builds up anticipation as Nairn film day nears

2009-11-17T12:43:00.009Z

Things seem to be hotting up with press coverage all over the place (except Nairnshire) first the BBC with:

Oscar actress inspires cinema bid

Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton has been the inspiration behind a new group's bid to reopen the first cinema in a Highlands town since the 1970s. The actress co-organised two film festivals that have featured in Nairn in the past two years. She also has a home in the town. Cinema Nairn said her events suggested there was local demand for a new venue. More of this story here

Then the Press & Journal:

Silver screen dream for Nairn cinema club

town will hold a classic movie day following summer film festival

Moves have started to bring cinema back to Nairn after an absence of 30 years.The Highland seaside town, famed as the holiday resort of early movie star Charlie Chaplin and home to Oscar winner Tilda Swinton, hasn’t had a cinema since the 1970s when the Playhouse projected its final reel and closed its doors before eventually reopening as the British Legion and then Nairn County Social Club.

Picture courtesy of the Press and Journal

More of this story here

Then The Scotsman picks up the tale with:

Film classics boost cinema campaign

The seaside town of Nairn is famed as the favourite resort of Charlie Chaplin and the current home of Oscar winner Tilda Swinton. But despite its cinematic pedigree, the town has suffered an intermission of more than 30 years without a vital element – a cinema.In the 1970s, queues gathered at Nairn's picture house to see Grease before the John Travolta blockbuster was screened in Inverness, 16 miles away.

More of this story here

And Hi-Arts give us some coverage on their website with the following:

Cowboys, Kilts and a Wizard Idea
Cinema set to return to Nairn after 30 years

Over the last two summers Nairn has had a starring role in the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams and Pilgrimage film festivals, and it’s clear to local movie buffs there is a demand for regular screenings.

More of this story here

The Herald took this line...

Tilda’s film town may get its own cinema

The Highland town used by the actress Tilda Swinton as the base for her film festivals could get a cinema for the first time in three decades.

Film fans in Nairn, which is also famous as Charlie Chaplin’s holiday resort, have been without a permanent venue since the Playhouse projected its final reel in the 1970s. After closing its doors, it eventually re-opened as the British Legion, then Nairn County Social Club.

Now there are moves afoot to bring the big screen back to the town on the shores of the Moray Firth. Over the past two summers, Nairn has had a starring role in Swinton’s Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams and Pilgrimage film festivals, and local movie buffs say there is a clear demand for regular screenings.

More on this story here

First Screenings - Sunday 29th November 2009

2009-11-11T15:20:00.001Z

We are offering three classic films being shown in Nairn Community Centre to launch Cinema Nairn.

The Wizard of Oz Cert (Colour 1939) "U" Running Time: 101 minutes - 2.00pm

Most youngsters who’ve seen The Wizard of Oz will have seen it at home – a big screen projection in a cinema full of other excited kids will be quite a different experience! It’s 70 years old this year but remains a real feat of film-making.

The Magnificent Seven (Colour 1960) "PG" Running Time: 138 minutes - 5.00pm

Westerns represent cinema’s hey-day for a lot of people and The Magnificent Seven is the daddy of them all with brilliant performances from the likes of Steve McQueen and stirring music by Elmer Bernstein.

I Know Where I'm Going (B&W 1945) "U" Running Time: 92 minutes - 8.00pm

A jewel of British film-making from Powell and Pressburger, set in the Highlands and combining romance, suspense, comedy and a dash of the supernatural.

Hopefully something to suit most peoples tastes.

Tickets (Adults £4.00/Children £3.00) available from the Community Centre, Nairn Bookshop and iolaire photo:graphics (at the Railway Station)

COWBOYS, KILTS AND A WIZARD IDEA – CINEMA SET TO RETURN TO NAIRN AFTER 30 YEARS

2009-11-10T11:34:00.000Z

Moves are afoot to bring the movies back to Nairn. The Highland seaside town, famed as the holiday resort of Charlie Chaplin and home to Oscar winner, Tilda Swinton, hasn’t had a cinema since the 1970s when the Playhouse projected its final reel and became a bingo hall.

Over the last two summers Nairn has had a starring role in the Cinema of Dreams and Pilgrimage film festivals, and it’s clear to local movie buffs there is a demand for regular screenings.

A group of local enthusiasts calling themselves ‘Cinema Nairn’ have arranged for a day of classic movies to be shown on the big screen at the community centre on Sunday 29th November to gather reaction and, it is hoped, begin the revival of silver screen entertainment in the town...