Ep 175: ArtHouse Visionary: Independent Cinema, Fair Wages, and Community Engagement

In this episode, we engage in a fascinating conversation with the visionary behind the ArtHouse, a unique establishment that seamlessly blends the roles of a cinema and a community hub. Our guest shares his experiences and insights on how he managed to strike a balance between these two roles, and the profound impact it has had on the local community.He also delves into the intricate process of curating a diverse program that includes cinema, live National Theatre screenings, and comedy, revealing the considerations that go into creating an engaging lineup. We explore his personal journey, discussing their decision to pause his directing career to focus on running the ArtHouse, and the implications this choice has had on his life. The conversation also covers the ArtHouse's commitment to paying the London Living Wage or more, its role in creating new cinemas throughout London, and the importance of fair wages in their business model. Our guest passionately shares his 'crusade' to keep cinema local and accessible despite the rise of mainstream multiplexes, offering hius perspective on the future of local versus mainstream cinema.Finally, we discuss the strategic adaptations made by the ArtHouse in response to market changes, specifically following the opening of Crouch End Picturehouse, shedding light on how independent cinemas can thrive in today's film market in the UK. This episode offers a deep dive into UK independent cinema, fair wages, and community engagement, providing listeners with unique insights and experiences from Sam Neophytou. W: https://www.arthousecrouchend.co.uk/contact/Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: https://www.kweli.tv/programs/the-people-of-brixtonDamien Swaby Social Media Links:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/filmmaker_damien_swaby/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/DamienSwaby?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorWebsitehttp://filmmakingconversations.com/If you enjoy listening to Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, I would love a coffee. Podcasting is thirsty work https://ko-fi.com/damienswabyElísabet Ronaldsdóttirhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0739894/