Save the Kino Art House Cinema in Cork…
November 2nd, 2009 by FrankThere was a great meeting in the Opera House on Saturday about saving the Kino Cinema in Cork (see the end of this post for more info if you hadn’t heard about the Kino closing), the most important item I took away was the fact that the public reaction had given Mick Hannigan a renewed energy to try to ensure the Kino remains open.
It must have been an extremely difficult time for Mick in the run up to the public announcement that the Kino was to close, and the fact that he is now fighting for it’s existence again is fantastic news for the city.
In a very open statement of the situation, it was made clear that saving the Kino will be no small feat, however the pledges of support from the community, the city, and government ministers have given hope to the situation.
It is vital that we ensure this renewed energy for the salvation of the Kino is allowed to be channeled in the right direction, and as such I think it would be a good idea if the priority of the current steering committee that was formed out of Saturday’s meeting would be to identify the core skill sets that Mick needs in order to a) organise fundraising to tackle immediate debts and b) put together a business plan that can save the Kino long term.
By identifying these skill sets, and mapping them to the committee, a push could be made in the media to lobby some pro bono time from accountants, architects, people with experience putting together successful business plans & successful funding applications, and whatever other necessary skill sets are needed in order to fill any gaps in the committee and to really power forward with the initiative.
I hope also that Minister Micheál Martin, Fine Gael TD Deirdre Clune, Labour TDs Kathleen Lynch and Ciarán Lynch, and Senator Dan Boyle (all of whom attended the meeting) will all be kept involved and that the questions are put to them as to what precisely they may be able to do to help the Kino, and what they feel the best course of action is.
While we all have our own ideas of how the new Kino might be and how it might be set up etc, it really has to be Mick’s vision that gets renewed here because it is Mick who can, and will, keep the Kino open for us. As such we need to ensure that the right kind of support is available to him and do our utmost to buoy him up at this vital point in the lifetime of the Kino.
If you’re on FaceBook you can join the Group “Save the Kino”
Irish Times on the Kino Closing
Irish Examiner on the closing of the Kino
Irish Times on the Save the Kino initiative
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November 4th, 2009 at 11:59 am
In my opinion Mr Hannigan has not managed the Kino well enough to be fought for. Of course the only independent cinema outside dublin shutting up shop is a shame but they have been too lethargic for too long. So much could have been done with the Kino.
I put it squarely down to lack of imagination.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I think no matter what one’s views on the running of the Kino are, it should be fought for, as something that makes Cork unique and adds to our cultural worth, and certainly at this point it would appear that all creative and imaginative suggestions for the future of the Kino are being considered.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Bit late I think. Personally, I don’t mind many of these Cultural institutions shutting down. Strange as that may sound.
The Arts council, film board, Aosdana. Let them close or get rid of them. They are run badly by pen pushing administrators and mediocre post-modernist ninnies.
Then let those who have fresh enthusiasm and creative energy re-open them.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
There’s an element of your argument I agree with, and most certainly as a country we spend far too much of our arts and culture money on bureaucracy.
I’m sure more could have been done in the Kino, perhaps in terms of marketing and getting an audience in – perhaps – but as far as I’m concerned the Kino did a good job, they always had interesting films, the staff were lovely, and the general atmosphere was great.
In terms of the Kino specifically, I would rather revitalise what is there now. Particularly in this “economic climate” – I would assume that the cost of starting over would be far greater than the cost of building up what’s there. There is also a wealth of knowledge that I feel can be inspired to bring a revitalised Kino to new heights, and finally the closure of the only indepenant art house cinema in Cork could make it more difficult for any future aspiring art house cinema to make it’s case for development.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Alright Ed, that’s a nice one, ‘mediocre, post-modern ninnies.’ I know the type you mean! Anyway, I think you’re right about the Kino. A lot of money seems to have been spent on ‘planning’ and other things. An art house cinema should be fashionably, slightly grotty and not some sort of prime real estate development. All you need really is a watertight, dark room, some seats, a projector and live current. Now that shouldn’t be to hard to manage.
I have my own private cinema at home but unfortunatley I only have a few films which, after a few viewings, become predictable enough. Maybe you’ve seen the 1982 classic erotic thriller, ‘Fix My Clock?’ Or the ground breaking ‘Big Tit Riders’, from 1979? Maybe I could get a big wad of cash of the Arts’ Council to show these underestimated cinematic gems to a whole new public, what do you reckon? Anyway, I hope you’re well and hope to see you soon.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Hey Martin. I agree with your agreement with me. Like ol’ disgruntled Travis Bickle I kinda think it’s time for a real rain to come and wash all the Post modern ninnies down the drain.
I think these days it’s easy to create a small independent cinema, and will become easier in time. The problem is that it will have to project pirate copies of films and therefore be illegal. How bad? At least we could have a beer while watching a film like they do in civilised German cinemas.
I think with the ol’ downturn, more people are becoming more creative, in Dublin people are turning their living-rooms into gig venues and theatres. It’s becoming quite popular. I just came back from a trip to Istanbul, to tour the great walls of Constantinople (Terrible state of neglect, drug-dealers and criminals live in them) and witnessed many young(ish), creative types doing fantastic things with out a hint of a Turkish Lira from any ‘Art’s Council’. It’s kind of like my views on welfare; The more you give, the less incentive to do and make, and the more controlled you are by suburban, semi educated, self promoting arse wank types.
Hope your house is grand. I’ll be in Cork today (at the Kino!) if you’re around.
I’m sure I’ve seen ‘Fix my clock somewhere’, can’t quite recall. So much more gracefull and subtle than the stuff I can find with 8 clicks of my keyboard (But steadfastly refuse to do, being a married man and having a moral objection to the depraved things young girls do for money these days.)
November 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Frank, I think your clock is broken. The one which tells you what time you left a note. it’s an hour ahead.
Ed
November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I didn’t make it to the meeting at the Opera House as I was working so only got most of the details second hand..(actually it’d be great it someone were to write a synopsis of what was said etc..), but apparantly some issues were raised that I’d have to agree with..such as the fact that only two screenings of ‘Made in Cork’ films took place every year, although there was a high demand for tickets and a lot more films entered than the number screened. Also the classic film screenings that took place on a Sunday were on at an unreasonable hour..11am on a Sunday sees many people still in bed! It’s a pity because so many are willing to support the Kino (as has been proved by the turnout at the Opera House and so on) yet the needs of the public were not always catered for. This can lead to a sense of elitism when it comes to arthouse cinemas, such a pity when cinema is probably the art most accessible to people. I hope the Kino lives on but a few changes would benefit it greatly. I’m wondering what the plans of the steering committee are and who is involved?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
actually the new Save the Kino site answers my last question.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Did you find details of the steering committee? I spotted the trust alright, which seems like a great core group, and I look forward to hearing their proposals for the fundraising and the future of the Kino.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I wonder how many of those of you that enjoy taking this opportunity to criticise the kino and other arts institutions in general are actually envolved in running a business, praticing within the arts or organising a group or an event. It is so easy to just point your finger at those who make an active contribution and be critical. This is not the time to waste our energy on cynicism, it is a time to stand together, be constructive and take action.
It is the movers and shakers of Cork that need to unite, not those that waste time criticising others!
November 14th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Think I was mixing up steering committees and the trust committe there. It says the trust committee was chosen from the steering committee, and I guess it’s the trust that’s doing most of the organisation now.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I work in the Arts Stefanie. Why that matters I’m not sure. Do I need to have ‘organised an event or a group ‘ to have an opinion?
PersonalIy I don’t feel the need for standing together. Why should I? Just because I am creative doesn’t mean I have to join some kind of group.
NO SPECIAL DEAL FOR ARTISTS!
And it’s your take that said anybody was ‘enjoying’ criticising anyone.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Which Ed is that from? I’m confused now!