Some years ago, a fellow cinema audience member coined a beautifully apt phrase while observing the number of single people occupied in a variety of ways as they awaited the start of a screening. The neat and apposite phrase was ‘…in solitary union.’ At this year’s Manipulate Festival, that oft embraced concept of viewing films alone has been taken to another level thanks to the One Bum Cinema Club, a name surely guaranteed to intrigue and amuse.
It certainly did for enthusiasts at the opening of the Manipulate Festival held at the Fruitmarket Gallery!
Housed in a trig wee chipboard shed, this miniature cinema, with the welcome sign One Bum Cinema Club on its wall, is the brainchild of artist Anna Vartiainen and has been brilliantly brought to life by Paulie Musselwhite and Matthew Simkins.
Draw back the black cloth that acts as the door, pull down the velvety cinema seat on your right, press the red button then sit back and enjoy the fabulous show! The 3 minute screenings are a selection of hand-picked short animations from artists based around the world and runs so that each audience member sees a different section of the entire programme. Despite the Pythonesque warning that opens each show demanding ‘no silliness’, that is what happily abounds. Stepping out of the petite picture house, childlike delight and amusement is evident on a high scale not just at the overall wackiness of this ingenious concept but at the quality of the animations.
Amid the variety of animation styles, may you be lucky enough to catch the hilarious Where’s the Butter, Betty?
This Scottish premiere, that is free to take part in and suitable for all ages, is part of the 17th edition of Manipulate Festival taking place between 1st-11th February 2024.
While the cinema is not wheelchair accessible, the Manipulate Arts team can assist with alternative ways to view this programme via email: info@manipulatearts.co.uk
Venues and dates:
Fruitmarket 2nd -4th February 11am – 5pm
Traverse Theatre foyer 6th -11th February11am – 5pm
WHALE Arts 14th – 20th February 11am – 5pm
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 