Film Agency News
25th May 2009
Michael Sheen reveals his secrets with Welsh school children
Inspired by the idea that film can broaden the mind in extraordinary and unexpected ways, FILMCLUB is giving schoolchildren free weekly access to thousands of classic and popular titles. Currently running in Wales as a pilot scheme, the initiative is attracting support from the country’s leading film industry figures.
Welsh film star Michael Sheen, best known for his starring roles in The Damned United, Frost Nixon and Oscar-winning film "The Queen", visited FILMCLUB members at Porth County Community School on Monday, May 18 to talk about his passion for film and the three films which have most inspired him, "Apocalypse Now", "A Matter of Life and Death" and "The Great Escape", with film clips and Q&A. 45 youngsters aged 11-18 from Porth County and visiting school Tonypandy attended the event, which is part of FILMCLUB’s ‘Close Encounters’ Scheme to bring film culture directly to young people in a creative and engaging way.
Michael, who was awarded an OBE earlier this year for his services to Drama, is a supporter of FILMCLUB and one of many celebrities to have contributed to its new "Films that Changed My Life" season showing how film can inspire and affect lives. He says: "FILMCLUB is an inspiring initiative which gives kids the chance to enjoy and discuss films at ground level. It excites me to think forward and imagine what some of these kids will achieve."
Working with the Film Agency for Wales, Skillset Screen Academy Wales and national charity Continyou Cymru, seventeen primary and secondary schools from all over Wales have so far joined FILMCLUB as part of an initial pilot scheme and it is hoped the service will become available to all Welsh schools later this year.
Through the watching of a wide range of movies and interaction with members of the film industry, FILMCLUB encourages the broadening of film knowledge, raises aspirations and helps develop critical and social skills by exploring and engaging with the world of film.
Each week, pupils are able to select from over 60,000 diverse titles courtesy of LOVEFILM, of which 1,500 are currently arranged in special seasons appealing directly to young people. Members also post their own film reviews, enter competitions and find out more about the industry through interviews and live webchats with film practitioners on the FILMCLUB website. Teachers are invited to take part in free induction sessions and receive ongoing web and telephone support.
Pauline Burt, Chief Executive of the Film Agency for Wales said: "FILMCLUB is designed to inspire pupils about all aspects of film and give them an insight into the industry. It is a fantastic opportunity for these pupils to meet a star like Michael Sheen – I’m sure that he helped to spark the imagination of our young people and broaden their horizons."
The Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the UK Film Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, via Creative Business Wales, the latter of which was set up to support, encourage and increase the range and number of films produced in Wales and to foster the abundance of creative talent in Wales.
- Ends -
