Contributions sought for film about Bolsover

Films of weddings, birthdays, families, or anything that reflects everyday life in the region from the 20th century would be gratefully received during an open day for the Past Lives Project at Bolsover Parish Room on 30th November. Cine footage if stored in warm conditions like lofts or cupboards will deteriorate rapidly and archivists estimate that if not digitised soon, much of this footage will be impossible to view and completely ruined within 10 years.

During a public performance at Bolsover Parish Church on 29th November at 7pm the artists and musicians will show Past Lives, a film created from edited home movie cine footage of the Midlands, taken from MACE (Media Archive for Central England) This will be screened with a live music soundtrack including strings from Sinfonia Viva. There will also be a showing of Junction Arts’ film My Street. At this free event the Past Lives Project team, FreeFall Arts, hope that audience members will be able to stay after the performance to share some of their memories of Bolsover. Public are invited to return the next day, 30th November, to the Parish Rooms where there will be a Reminiscence Vintage Cafe swapping cake for local memories, cine film or photos.

The film has been previously shown in Derbyshire and received much acclaim, with one audience member saying ‘I spent half of the film in tears and the other half smiling. Such a beautiful and achingly poignant film, thank you so very much’.

Project co-manager Debbie Cooper said the Past Lives film had a powerful effect.

The home movie footage from the 1930s-70s brings the past to life sharing everyday lost moments with the live music making it into an emotional and beautiful experience. It’s a pleasure to be sharing this project across the region”

With funding from the Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the artists are now able to offer free digitisation to donated cine films showing everyday lives and interesting moments of Bolsover and Carr Vale.

These films, and any that have already been digitised, will then be made into a new community film of Bolsover with a live music track from local musicians. If you have cine films, photos, memories or music relating to Bolsover or Carr Vale or are a local musician you can contact them on [email protected] or fill out the form on their website PastLivesProject.com

There will be film workshops in the new year run by Anthony Hatton who created the Past Lives Films and music workshops run by Dave Sturt, one of the musicians and composers behind the live soundtrack. These will also be free but dates are to be confirmed.

Join in by attending the music and film performance at Bolsover Church on 29th November at 7pm and the Reminiscence Vintage Cafe Open Day on 30th November between 10am - 2pm.