Photo: Cllr Harper and Liam Wells, Course Leader Film and Moving Image Production / Electronic Music and Sound Production at Norwich University of The Arts.
A piece of film heritage has been saved thanks to a rescue mission by Norwich City Council and Norwich University of the Arts.
The council teamed up with the university to save a 1960s Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 film projector from the old Hollywood Cinema in Anglia Square.
Councillor Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects, said:
“As a council which supports the arts, we acted fast to save this important cultural jewel for the city. We reached out to the university who gladly accepted our offer and will now host the projector to prosperity for the city, the students and the British film industry. I also want to say a massive thank you to DSM, our contractor, for helping to make this happen.”
Professor Ben Stopher, Vice Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts, said:
“We are so proud to help save this piece of city and film history. As we look to the future with new technology such as our recently launched Sony virtual production facility, we remain committed to the history of film production and its place in our shared culture.”
The projector was used at the cinema when it hosted several blockbuster films, including Star Wars movies, Bond films and more recently the premier of Alpha Pappa, the Alan Partridge film.
The council has confirmed it would not be able to save the Alan Partridge mural due to sky high costs and feasibility constraints.
Cllr Harper said:
“It’s a shame we can’t save the Partridge mural, but we will look to replicate it elsewhere in the city. Meanwhile we and our Aviva Capital Partners are moving fast to redevelop Anglia Square to deliver much needed homes, new retail, leisure, and community spaces for the people of Norwich.”
