Acts of Remembrance
Sunday 6 November 2016, 5.00pm to 8.00pm
Kino-Teatr, 43-53 Norman Rd, Saint Leonards-on-Sea TN38 0EQ
On the 6th November at 5pm we will be joined by a group of World War Two veterans in the beautiful Kino-Teatr in St Leonards-on-sea (Hastings). The event includes a screening of Return of the Liberators (filmmaker Janet Hodgson) which captures the antics, camaraderie, and acts of remembrance of an extraordinary veterans’ charity road trip to The Netherlands, which saw 120 World War II veterans travelling in a convoy of London black cabs. The screening will be followed by a Q and A and a sing song around the piano. There will also be the chance to explore the Kino’s own exhibition of 1940s art and everyday objects. 1940s dress optional.
Filmmaker Janet Hodgson has been working with The London Taxi Benevolent Association for the War Disabled – a charity run by black cab drivers – for several years, documenting their work and organising musical happenings. Having built their trust, she accompanied them with a small crew in a convoy of 96 London Black
Cabs to The Netherlands in 2015, where the veterans took part in commemorations for the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.
The event ‘Acts of Remembrance’ includes a screening of her film, Return of the Liberators, which documents the trip on behalf of the charity, recently voted the winner in the charity category of the National Lottery Awards. The film explores remembrance from several different perspectives – cultural, personal and public – and includes music performed by the veterans themselves. It was produced in collaboration with Creation Company Pictures and Hogarth and Ogilvy.
After the screening, join Janet and St. Leonards-based pianist Robert Connelly around the piano with some honoured guests – some of the veterans and cabbies who appear in the film – for some good old-fashioned wartime songs and Cockney favourites. 1940’s fancy dress is optional!
The veterans will be transported by the charity in London Black Cabs to the Kino- Teatr in St. Leonards-on-sea, an atmospheric restored cinema dating from 1913, and itself a target for bombing during World War II.
The event includes a pre-screening talk by anthropologist Gemma Aellah and a Q&A with the filmmaker Janet Hodgson.
Free but booking essential www.kino-teatr.co.uk
Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science
