Scottish exhibitors bring Art of Action to the big screen
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Date
26th November 2024
Scottish exhibitors are packing a punch this Winter as part of BFI’s Art of Action season.
Art of Action – conceived by the Film Audience Network and delivered by BFI – is a UK-wide season celebrating the artistry of real action choreography that’s kept audiences on the edge of their seats since the early days of cinema.
Venues, community cinemas and festivals across Scotland are taking the opportunity to bring spectacular stunts to the big screen, pairing classic titles with contemporary action heroes.
Touring programmes
Audiences in Scotland will also be able to enjoy bespoke UK-wide programmes that are bringing their inventive seasons to venues across the country. Reclaim the Frame presents CALL TO ACTION: Women of Colour On and Behind The Camera, a curated season centring women of colour working in the action genre from the 90s to the present – both behind the camera: as writers and directors – and on screen: as actors and stunt performers. Next up, catch Polite Society (2023) at Glasgow Film Theatre on 30 November.
Invisible Women and T A P E Collective is celebrating the female action stars of 1960s Mexican cinema with She Packs a Punch, a tour of two recently restored gems from director René Cardona (The Panther Women (Las mujeres panteras) (1967) and The Bat Woman (La mujer murciélago) (1968)). The double-bill will play at Dundee Contemporary Arts on 10 December.
Venue screenings
There’s heaps of brilliant screenings – accompanied by stunt performances, drinks-pairings and even a target practice! – taking place across the country.
Cromarty Community Cinema: Cromarty Kicks Ass | 26 November – 5 December
Cromarty Community Cinema presents Cromarty Kicks Ass, a season of films from around the world that illustrate the best of physical stunts, movement and mayhem, from Africa, Asia, Europe and America. The season opens on Friday 29 November at Cromarty Lighthouse, with an outdoors screening of a short serial from 1915, featuring Hollywood’s first professional stunt woman, Helen Gibson. The film will be accompanied by pianist Andy Hodge.
The closing event on 5 December is set to be spectacular: the Highland Lion & Dragon Dance group will be demonstrating the Lion Dance, a 1000-year old tradition. Plus, they are selling T Shirts featuring the season’s fantastic artwork, designed by local graphic designer Amy McIlhenny.
The Phoenix Cinema, Orkney | Until 4 December
The Phoenix Cinema have paired their Art of Action screenings with some epic activities. On Thursday 28 November, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) will be accompanied by a kickboxing demonstration from A.K.A Orkney before the film. The Wild Bunch (1969) on Wednesday 4 December will be preceded by target practice, with the chance to win prizes!
An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway | 10 October – 12 December
Throughout October until December, An Lanntair is screening three the Art of Action Menu Titles. Next up? Jackie Chan’s Police Story (1985) on Thursday 28 November, followed by Seven Samurai (1954) on Thursday 12 December. Plus, don’t miss a swordmanship demonstration, and a talk about gun safety from Harris Gun Club. Each film features in An Lanntair’s Fiver Film Thursday scheme, offering £5 tickets for each film.
Dundee Contemporary Arts: Art of Action | 8 Nov – 13 Dec
DCA is bringing a wide-ranging selection of the best-ever action titles to their screens, including new 4K restorations of Point Break and Seven Samurai; vintage trailblazers The Adventures of Robin Hood, and The Wild Bunch, Hong Kong martial arts thriller Yes, Madam and lots more.
Each film in the season will include an expert introduction, and there’ll be a chance to take part in discussions and workshops that explore the skills and experiences of actors and stuntpeople. Their next screenings are not to be missed: The Flying Scotsman + live score on Sunday 1 December, followed by Parasite director Bong Joon Ho’s 2013 sci-fi film Snowpiercer on Wednesday 4 December.
Eden Court Highlands, Inverness: Wild Ride: An Evolution of Action | Until 29 December
Eden Court Highlands Wild Ride season celebrates the evolution of action through the unforgettable characters, actors, filmmakers and stunt-people who have shaped the world of action cinema. The programme features a diverse line-up of cult classics and legendary blockbusters, bringing iconic films back to where they belong – on the big screen. Expect: swashbuckling, archery, kinetic car chases, groundbreaking stunts and cutting-edge special effects.
Still to come? Explosive thriller The Long Kiss Goodnight (30 November), Jackie Chan’s Police Story (7 December, influential epic Seven Samurai (14 December), and more!
Hawick Film Group | October – December
Hawick Film Group is screening eight action classics every Tuesday until December. Upcoming screenings include Season tickets to every film, including four mystery films, are offered on a ‘name your price’ basis.
Traquair Community Film Club | 17 January
Traquair Community Film Club, based in Traquair Village Hall in the Scottish Borders, will show one of the Art of Action Menu Titles: the re-release of Point Break (1991) alongside short films from local women mountain bikers. Their screening will focus on women and extreme sports, leaning into Point Break being one of the few female directed action movies. The screening will be delivered in collaboration with FNY Collective, a charity which supports women to grow participate in mountain biking.
Shetland Arts Development Agency | January 2025
Shetland Arts will bring Art of Action to Shetland in January next year, screening Point Break (1991), The General (1926), Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) and Run Lola Run (1998). These screenings will be accompanied by activities, including a stage combat workshop.
Tickets available soon!
Previous screenings
A special shout-out to these venues who have already shown their Art of Action titles:
- The Hippodrome, Bo’ness – The Hippodrome screened technicolour epic The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) between 25 – 28 October
- RBC Film Theatre, Dumfries – RBC Film Theatre screened three Art of Action Menu Titles: The General (1926), Seven Samurai (1954) and Point Break (1991). Each was accompanied by an introduction from an expert speaker, and included creative drinks pairings (Japanese beer for Seven Samurai!).