Summary:
Francesca’s Key, a short film commissioned by MADE for ISIS Waterside Regeneration, starring Birmingham schoolchildren is to be premiered at the Odeon Cinema on New Street.
Telephone:
Heather Price / Nisha Pankhania - 0161 838 7770
Email:
heather (dot) price (at) skvpr (dot) co (dot) uk
ISIS PREMIERE ARTHOUSE CONSULTATION FILM AT ODEON CINEMA
Francesca’s Key, a short film commissioned by MADE for ISIS Waterside Regeneration, starring Birmingham schoolchildren is to be premiered at the Odeon Cinema on New Street.
The red carpet event unites art and regeneration for the grand finale of an innovative consultation process for the development of Icknield Port Loop – the area surrounding the Edgbaston Reservoir and one of the largest regeneration sites in the Midlands.
Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Pogus Caesar, Francesca’s Key draws on local history to tell the mystical story of Francesca, a local girl who runs away from home and embarks on a journey through the reservoir. Through the filmic narrative, the area of Ladywood is explored and offers a new interpretation of the place, from an inner city suburb into an exotic landscape. This creative approach forms part of an unusual consultative process aimed at engaging the local community in Edgbaston, to surface the issues that matter to them and to show another side to the area. MADE director Julia Ellis said, “The film is a mystical adventure story inspired by the texture and the distinctiveness of the local landscape around Edgbaston Reservoir. Incorporating culture into the development process ensures that the heart and soul of the area is equally important to good design."
Pogus Caesar, whose past work includes a glittering list of stars including Lennox Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Sir Paul McCartney, explains, “Working on the film, we’ve unearthed the history of the area by talking to local residents, listening to their stories and working with the Ladywood Arts Centre, a local history group, to delve in to the past and retrieve as many historical facts as possible. We’ve also uncovered stories about J.R.R Tolkien who apparently got his inspiration for The Two Towers from the mysterious reservoir when he lived in the area.”
Key stakeholders in the future of Birmingham will be at the special screening, alongside local residents, and of course the stars of the film – pupils from Barford Primary School, which is situated next to the Icknield Port Loop development. Guests will include representatives from Birmingham City Council, regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands and The Lord Mayor, who will be presenting pupil-actors with certificates.
Nick Bird, development manager at ISIS, which controls 28 acres of land inside the canal loop and adjacent to Edgbaston Reservoir, said: “The production and screening of Francesca’s Key has created a wonderful opportunity to bring both city stakeholders and the local community together. The film is one of four innovative artists’ commissions, themed around the earth elements, and designed to form an integral part of the community engagement strategy for the site’s physical regeneration. ISIS is committed to meaningful community engagement and public consultation to ensure proper community cohesion and demonstrate real responsiveness to local stakeholders. The thoughts, opinions and ideas of local people are vital for the redevelopment of Icknield Port Loop to create a special and important place, now and for future generations. We’re ensuring that the area’s rich past is not forgotten when regeneration takes place.”
“This work, together with a range of technical studies will influence the production of a comprehensive masterplan for the site. ISIS is working in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands to deliver the regeneration of Icknield Port Loop and intends to transform this underused area into a vibrant and sustainable community, where people choose to live, work and invest.”
The event takes place at the Odeon Cinema, Screen 2 at 1pm-3.30pm.
Schedule:
12:45pm – The young ‘stars’ arrive on the red carpet
1:15pm – Speeches. Speakers include Mark Ryder – chief executive of ISIS and Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery, Director
1:30pm – Premiere screening
2:30pm – Drinks & Canapes
For further media information or interviews please contact Heather Price or Nisha Pankhania at Spinoza Kennedy Vesey PR on 0161 838 7770 or email heather.price@skvpr.co.uk