Film stars

May 2 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER Zoo will provide the venue for drive-in movies on a huge inflatable screen as part of the first ever Screen Deva next month.

The zoo is just one of an amazing range of venues getting involved in the festival, organised by Chester Performs, from June 9-15.

The drive-in movies at Chester Zoo will be screened on June 13 and 14, with the family film Madagascar on the Friday and the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring Audrey Hepburn on the Saturday.

Chester Performs have come up with the Screen Deva concept in response to the continuing absence from the city centre of a cinema since the closure of the Odeon more than a year ago.

As a consequence, the festival opens up a wide range of unusual venues for screenings and events, including cafes, bars, museums and churches.

The range of venues is designed to showcase the possibilities of Chester’s city centre heritage and facilities. Films will be screened in Ollio & Farina, Grosvenor Museum, St Olave’s Church and the Wesley Methodist Chapel, as well as bars and clubs.

And there will be a chance to see Stanley Kubrick’s legendary horror film The Shining starring Jack Nicholson at Stanley Palace, the most haunted building in Chester!

As well as screenings there are family days for children to try some film-based activities and a Young Deva film night showcasing the best young talent in the region.

There will be an evening with Matt Littler, filmmaker and Hollyoaks heart throb, and industry events for Northwest filmmakers plus a mini festival, Deva Shorts, featuring new short films by local filmmakers, which will be shown in bars and clubs across Chester.

Alongside the film programme there will be interactive digital art installations in a Screen Deva shop in the city centre, club nights with video disc jockeys and a special date for Fathers’ Day.

Project co-ordinator Amber Jones said: “This year we are trialling a number of thrilling events for the city, and our sincere hope is that people feel that there is something for everyone to enjoy and find lots of reasons to enjoy the city centre and its culture.

“We have put together a super programme with help from an amazing programming team.

“Cinema is a wonderful way to bridge generation gaps and there is something for all ages and enthusiasms to enjoy, from spectacular drive in movies to intimate events in bars, to family days and ways to encourage young people to get involved in film.

“If it’s popular enough – and we believe it will be – we will certainly work towards delivering another Screen Deva.”

For details and full programme see www.chesterperforms.com or phone 01244 409113.