Film Reviews
BUXTON SHORTS 2025 - Buxton Film
It was the last day of the Fringe, but the excited hum in the Pavillion Arts Centre showed that there were still delights in store. The auditorium was almost full by the time the lights went dark and the first film rolled. Community cinema Buxton Film first invited film makers with a connection to Buxton and the Peak District to submit short films for screening at the Fringe in 2023. The initiative has grown, and submissions for this year’s Short Film Festival attracted a bumper crop of new delights. The volunteer team who run Buxton Film had a challenging task to winnow the selection for screening down to eleven.
Close attention by the audience was encouraged; as well as two awards already decided by the Jury, there were two prizes still to be decided by the audience: an award in memory of Keith Savage, one of the founders of Buxton Film, as well as a runner up. Rather than a phone line or app-based voting system, there was a simple paper-based voting system ensuring no influence by bots.
The eleven short films had an average length of 11 minutes and were made in a wide range of styles; some were nearly solo ventures, other group efforts. Short film can be a powerful storytelling tool, and now the technology is accessible to more people.
The afternoon opened with A Touch of Colour. It was an insight into how a diagnosis of Parkinson’s had opened the door to a new period of creativity for painter Bob Bernard. Director Eddy Reilly and a team of University of Sheffield students filmed him talking about his work along with views of the countryside that inspired him.
This was followed by Two Doors, written by Karl Beecher and Owen Pullar and directed by Mat McPherson, a silent black and white movie with a jaunty soundtrack about a curious police shift, which made the audience giggle.
The third film opened with aerial views of Buxton, before following teacher Annie on her way to school. An arrogant new colleague is put in his place by the old ways of Buxton, with a little help from Annie and the students. This well-crafted film was Pig in a Ginnel, written and directed by Anna Girolami.
Next up was Steam Engines by John Parker Lee, which was a wonderful look at the engines and people taking part in the Hope Valley Steam Rally. Close up and aerial views captured the power and romance of these machines.
There was a change of style for The House Upon a Hill, a story told with puppets. Two children head off on an adventure to the spooky house on the hill, but all is not as it seems. This lovely film was created by a group of young people in after-school workshops run by Funny Wonders, a community arts group.
The next film was another set locally, with a young person longing to be part of the band but failing to find musical success, until their long-suffering family made the dream come true with the help of Burbage Band. You’ll have to watch the film, Tuning Trouble, by written and directed by Matthew Eyre and Peter Norris, to find out how!
Surviving, written and direct by Samuel J Hall, was heart wrenching as it featured two young people who had both been recently bereaved, and were struggling to cope with daily life. Despite ending in a graveyard in the rain, it had a hopeful ending.
The Interview, directed by Alex Annuziato, Kevin Billington and Simon Tomlinson, was about an interview that takes a surprising turn. If only one of the interviews in the final stage of the Apprentice TV programme would end like this!
Another film tackling the theme of loss was A Year and a Minute, written by Sapphire and Ceinwen Madeema, and directed by Sapphire. This was a thoughtful film about a conversation in a car between two siblings remembering their late grandmother.
Ms Placed, directed by Morgan Bryan was an unsettling film which started with a woman in a very empty flat, who finds herself in a different, happier life. But like fairy magic, is it all illusory?
All too soon we were at the last film, Ticker, written and directed by Thom Petty, which focused on the impact of a serious health condition on a longstanding relationship between two elderly men. This was closely observed and very touching.
While the votes were counted we were treated to a vintage film of Buxton in 1939, when it hosted the 10th annual conference of the Federation of Soroptimist Clubs.
The Jury prizes were announced first. Runner up prizes went to Tuning Trouble and A Touch of Colour, and the winner was A Pig in a Ginnel. The audience prize runner up, presented by Buxton Film was Ticker, while A Pig in a Ginnel was the audience favourite, winning the Keith Savage Audience Award.
All the films were well worth watching, and this event was testament to the creativity and skill in the area. This treat at the end of the Fringe should not be missed, so make a note for next year. You may need to book your ticket in advance given the popularity of this year’s showing.
Aspiring film makers with a local connection can contact Buxton
Film anytime by email shorts@buxtonfilm.org.uk Meanwhile, enjoy their weekly feature film screenings on Monday evenings throughout the year – their programme can be found on their website www.buxtonfilm.org.uk
HITCHCOCK'S SILENT FILM BLACKMAIL WITH LIVE MUSIC - Brief Encounter Duo
‘Blackmail’ is Alfred Hitchcock’s last silent film before the talkie era replaced the genre. Released in both silent and dubbed format at the time, it tells the story of a young woman’s encounter with a decidedly sinister artist. When things turn nasty and she has to flee, a blackmailer is waiting in the wings!
Audiences in the 1920’s would have watched this film with musical accompaniment, often performed by a live pianist or organist.
The genius of this show is that the performers have taken contemporary scores from the time this film was released and extemporised their own score to fit with the action on screen.
Brief Encounter Duo are Chris and Veronica Perrin. Together they use a variety of instruments including stage piano, musical saw, melodica, saxophone and a tenor horn to conjure up a soundtrack that is pure magic.
Blackmail has all the ingredients those familiar with Hitchcock’s classics will recognise – spiralling views down staircases, repeating motifs, a ditzy blonde who is in over her head and of course the brief cameo from the man himself. Chris and Veronica’s accompaniment bring the action on screen to life. The film itself has unintended moments of humour for a modern-day audience, and Chris and Veronica capitalise on these with their choice of tunes. One notable standout is an identity parade scene shown with, ‘ten green bottles’, played alongside it, but you have to go to the show, to experience what I’m trying to describe.
The film and music combine to showcase the best of both. Chris and Veronica are accomplished musicians and also great hosts. The duo won the best film award with their entry in last year’s fringe and on the evidence of tonight’s performance that was well deserved. If you are looking for a convivial evening and the chance to see a classic film in the way original audiences would have seen it, don’t miss this show. It's an absolute gem.
April Irwin
BURBAGE WORKS - HEART OF BRASS - Burbage Band (Buxton)
This show focuses on Burbage Band, a brass band with a proud unbroken history stretching back 164 years. It was appropriate therefore, that the premier of their documentary film, ‘Burbage Works’ was held in Burbage Institute, just steps away from the band’s hall.
The evening began with a short introduction by Steve Critchlow, the band’s conductor. Steve told the audience that history is important and knowing how we got here and what came before us is vital, if we are to look ahead to the future. What was clear from his words is that he is passionate about the band and its continued success. A chance conversation one evening while clearing up after a band practice between Steve and Sam Pollard, led to Sam going away and composing a new piece for the band, based on the band’s history. He quietly researched and created the piece before revealing it to his band mates.
This film gives a unique behind the scenes insight, into the band’s preparation for their, ‘Burbage Works’ performance at the Stoller Hall, Manchester in September 2024.
The audience learn about the Band’s first members who were drawn from the village and worked locally in the quarrying industry. One of the reasons the band was founded was to give workers a healthy and constructive pastime (and avoid the court appearances found in newspapers of the time, for drinking and hard living!)
The film shows the band working with Andrew Kershaw, a conductor, teacher and expert in historical instruments to give them experience of playing the type of brass instruments, that the original band members would have played. An original receipt that is framed in the band hall shows the type of instruments the band purchased when they first formed.
Throughout the film, current and former players give personal accounts of what it is or was like to be a member of the band. What shines through in all the testimonies is the strong sense of family in the band – sometimes literally with many family members being involved. Everyone thrives on their involvement. One touching reminiscence related to the first female member of the band who joined in 1953. Kath Goodwin’s playing was noted at the time. Sadly, after Kath got married, her husband refused to let her play and she had to leave the band behind, but did return many years later following her husband’s passing. Burbage band is now split nearly 50% between men and women.
We learn about the training band and the unique work that Burbage do to train the next generation of members.
The film also shows the band’s President, Philip Holland narrating in the run up to and during the Stoller Hall performance. Philip is also a poet, writer and performer. His words relating to the band enlisting with the Cheshire Regiment and marching down to Buxton to do so, with their loved ones, are particularly poignant.
The film culminates with scenes from the Stoller Hall performance. Band members express their surprise at being able to ‘pull it off’, but the audience for this show express no such doubts having seen the dedication and sheer hard work that goes into running the band day to day, while also preparing for a once in a lifetime performance.
If you get the chance to see this film, I would strongly recommend it. It shows everything that is right – a strong sense of family and community, a desire to give back and the will to take this historic band into the future.
April Irwin
