By Hugh Boag
Arran resilience came to the fore last weekend to save the films on show at the Screen Machine in Brodick.
The mobile cinema was 45 minutes into the three and half hour film, Killers of the Flower Moon, on Saturday night when the generator packed in, leaving the film goers with all but the emergency lighting.
Operator Iain MacColl quickly assessed the situation but realised there was no quick fix and the audience were sent home, with the promise of a full refund, and the rest of the showings cancelled for the night.
The following day Iain first called in the help of Ian Small to try and repair the generator and when that was not possible Mark Bunyan of Scottish Water assisted in finding a replacement generator which allowed the Sunday screening of Killers of the Flower Moon and Nobody Has to Know and the remaining Monday screenings to go ahead.
Iain was full of praise for the help and support as well as the understanding of the people of Arran.
He told the Banner: “There were people on Saturday night saying they didn’t want a refund, but it is an automated process and no one will be left out of pocket.
“I can’t thank our usher Alison McNicol and Ian and Mark and Scottish Water for their wonderful help in sourcing and providing an alternative generator. Without it all those hoping to see our films would have been left disappointed. Everyone’s support was incredible.”
“I can only apologise to the Geography of Solitude audience that we could not get the repair in time for that showing.”
The Screen Machine left on Wednesday with Iain taking the faulty generator for repair before heading to Port Ellen on Islay.
Sadly, the Screen Machine is still facing an uncertain future with the service possibly having to cease in April next year unless funding can be secured to purchase a new mobile cinema.
Regional Screen Scotland, which owns and operates the cinema, is currently leasing the cinema they are now using after their old one became economically unviable to maintain. This lease lasts until April 2024 and beyond that, without intervention, the Screen Machine service will be wound down.
A new cinema will cost approximately £1.4 million will take between one year and 18-months to build.
Regional Screen Scotland are hoping that they can convince the Scottish Government to help fund 50 per cent of the cost and is asking for the public to help by writing to their MSP, MP, or councillor, and to the First Minister, cabinet secretaries and council leaders.
If they can convince the Scottish Government to provide 50 per cent of the cost that will enable them to pay a deposit and begin the construction process. Then, they will then embark on a massive fundraising effort to bring in the balance.
Information on how you can help, useful details on who to contact and what you can say, can be found on the Screen Machine’s website at www.screenmachine.co.uk
Thanks to a helpful community effort, film screenings continued at what could be the Screen Machine’s last visit to Brodick. 01_B48screenmachine01_23_screen_machine