Meet The Team - Jeremy Kimberlin
Jeremy Kimberlin is effectively the film buyer for Ely Community Cinema (ECC). He is tasked with making the film selection from the film distributors’ portal. Being a small, independent cinema, the ECC is given a second window, this being four to six weeks after a film’s first release date. Jeremy works at least a month ahead of the schedule, choosing from a wide range of films – on average, around 60 films are released each month!
“It is making the judgement on what will prove popular with our audiences,” says Jeremy. “A priority is character and storytelling.” To aid his decision-making, Jeremy draws opinions and reviews from a broad range of resources. He works closely with Picturehouse Cinemas who provide their expert services to book the chosen films, but they are also invaluable in helping with the selection of films, providing insider information on the appeal of very new films. “They are essentially my guide to stop me making poor choices.”
He will look at reviews from the broadsheet newspapers, certain critics can be relied on for honest opinions. Another source are the film festivals where independent, foreign and low-budget films get a chance to be seen alongside the big budget offerings. A further source is the website, Rotten Tomatoes, with its Tomatometer that rates new releases. ECC’s aim is not to compete with the multiplex but to offer some of the lesser publicised films, British and foreign, that could appeal to a more mature audience. “We are not about the Marvel Universe, as appealing as it is, but films that have depth and intelligence; films you might still talk about weeks after seeing them.”
A film that garnered much interest this summer at the Edinburgh Film Festival was Sorry Baby, a story of challenges and friendship. This was spotted by Jeremy and due to be shown at the ECC in September. It picked up a screenwriter’s award at Cannes and has attracted praise from many critics.
“I try to pick up on the buzz, what’s getting the critics interested.” Two other films that Jeremy has enjoyed are The Courageous and Better Days, both French films but very different in tone.
Apart from critical reviews, Jeremy pays close attention to the statistics. He has looked back at audience figures for ECC’s predecessor, the Babylon Cinema and seen what worked and brought in the audiences. He describes the last few months as a litmus test. “It’s a case of building the blueprint,” he says, and his task is not an easy one. Despite this, some of the film choices have been highly popular, one even requiring a repeat showing because of demand.
As with almost all the ECC workers, the role is voluntary and Jeremy’s day job is Head of Rights for Channel 4, both for their television and Film 4 output. Surprisingly, he enjoys the fact that his role with Ely Community Cinema gives him a chance to watch more films.
Finally – his favourite film? An Ealing Comedy such as Kind Hearts and Coronets would be his choice. More modern would be a blockbuster classic such as Jaws or Alien. For recent films he recommends the comedy drama, Holy Cow. Talking to him, you get the sense that nothing is off the table and Ely Community Cinema can look forward to a lively and varied schedule.
Written by Steve Merrell