Venue spotlight: Wem Town Hall

Where better to spend a film festival opening night than at a performance of silent cinema classic, Man with a Movie Camera, with introduction and piano accompaniment by perennial Borderlines favourite, Paul Shallcross. Made by pioneer soviet film-maker and poet Dziga Vertov (real name: Denis Kaufman 'Dziga' from the cranking noise the camera makes) it's an exuberant and stimulating city symphony, full of tricks and surprises.

And the event, which also features the Buster Keaton short Neighbors, takes place at a brand-new venue, not just for Borderlines. Wem Town Hall, an exciting multi-use centre for the North Shropshire market town is due to launch officially in two weeks.


Gutted by fire in 1994, the town hall gradually fell into disuse until community groups took up its cause: 'Hall or Nothing'. The revamped centre with its fine foyer bar/cafe is the result. The festival programme at Wem is music-themed, from John Lennon's earliest strummings in Nowhere Boy to world cinema super-star, Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love, to the mind-blowing accordion duels of The Wind Journeys. And as you sit back and drink in the surroundings, remember, this could all have been a carpet warehouse.

Tickets are £4 or a subscription for all four films for £12 (£6 saving!) when bought at the same time.
Box Office: 01939 237075
All films play also at The Courtyard, Hereford.

P.S. It has been drawn to my attention that there are stories about the Town Hall having been haunted! An added dimension to the evening's entertainment. Take a look at this picture and be very afraid!