Gerry Cottle Jr runs the Rooftop Film Club, which operates pop-up cinemas around London. While lots of pubs now seem to be offering film nights as a way of using the projection equipment when there is no football, Gerry focuses on a very high quality product – it’s all about putting on people’s favourite films on a big screen in a great space.
I met him last week at The Round Chapel in Hackney, where he was finishing up a run of romantic films for Valentine’s Week, including Romeo + Juliet, Four Wedding & a Funeral, and Dirty Dancing.
The Round Chapel is a great venue – very high, very round, and very atmospheric, with lighted crosses enclosing the 400 seats. The screen was very big, and the sound was booming out as they did the soundchecks. Last year he showed The Exorcist here for Halloween – it must have been terrifying!
Gerry’s always put on events, and started doing films when he got inspired by the rooftop space at the pub The Queen of Hoxton. This led to other opportunities, like the Round Chapel and The Yard in Hackney; interesting venues where the films will become an experience.
Business is expanding. There are plans to do something around the Olympics, and also to try to show new, independent short films before the main feature to give a leg up to up and coming film makers.
He’s just announced a new season of films, including Back To The Future, Reservoir Dogs and Requiem For A Dream at The Yard. A couple of nights are sold out already – book your tickets here to avoid missing out!
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