Two of Scotland’s foremost independent cinemas, Edinburgh’s Filmhouse and Aberdeen’s Belmont Filmhouse, both run by the charity Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), together launch their new online streaming platform that will let audiences enjoy some of the finest Filmhouse-curated cinema from the comfort of their own home.
From Friday 26 March, the platform’s kicks off with the award-winning Stray, a documentary about stray dogs on the streets of Istanbul that had its premiere at London Film Festival; Holocaust survival drama Persian Lessonsfrom the director of House of Sand and Fog, Vadim Perelman; critically-acclaimed documentary Poly Styrene: I am a Clichéabout counter-culture icon and punk pioneer Poly Styrene and a first documentary entirely in Scots Gaelic, Iorram (Boat Song) that is a lyrical portrait of the fishing community in the Outer Hebrides, past and present.
Initially offering 20+ titles starting from just £3.50, the Filmhouse at Home programme will grow to present a similar selection of films in the range of genres expected by Filmhouse regulars that showcase independent, world cinema at its best. Part of the future programme will include Sundance-winning and now Oscar-nominated Minari.
Head of Programming at Filmhouse Cinemas Rod White said “We’re excited to announce the launch of Filmhouse at Home. Our brand-new video on demand platform is another way for audiences to engage with the kind of cinema on which our reputation is built. Given a percentage of the online ticket price comes directly to us, it also offers another way in which you can support us across everything we do.”
“We hope that not only will this allow fellow cinephiles a new way to enjoy our carefully-curated films before we are able to welcome them back into our cinemas, but that Filmhouse at Home will also ensure that those who are less able to venture out, or make it to our cinemas in Aberdeen and Edinburgh have a new way to access the best of independent, world cinema.”
Wherever possible films are audio described, closed-captioned or subtitled. Audiences will have 30 days to watch a film once purchased and 48 hours during which the film can be viewed multiple times once ‘play’ is clicked, though be aware that some exceptions apply.
Some films hosted by Filmhouse at Home are only available to rent a limited number of times so audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 