Latest news with #BrianCox
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Arthouse cinema reopening after campaign pulls it ‘back fae the brink'
The Filmhouse cinema on Lothian Road will reopen on June 27, with a programme of films that were missed since it closed its doors on October 6, 2022. Originally opened in a repurposed church in 1978, the cinema was shuttered following the collapse of its parent charity Centre for the Moving Image. Since then, the building has undergone a £2 million refurbishment that has seen a complete internal refit to the public areas and screens, and 'substantial' repairs to the roof and stonework. Previously a three-screen venue, a new fourth screen is also set to be added in July as part of a second phase of work, bringing the cinema's capacity up to 350 seats. The reopening follows a three-year campaign backed by film lovers from around the world and leading actors including Filmhouse patrons Jack Lowden, Charlotte Wells, Brian Cox and Emma Thompson. Lowden, whose film credits include Dunkirk and The Outrun, said the new reopened cinema will provide a 'lift' to Scotland's film-makers and storytellers. 'Filmhouse is a place utterly dedicated to the promotion and celebration of independent cinema,' he said. 'Films need to be watched, not just made. Now, after months of hard work, the incredible team at Filmhouse have managed to pull one of Scotland's few truly independent cinemas back fae the brink. 'To have such a place on the streets of our capital providing the platform to give our world-class film-makers and storytellers the lift-off they need, and continue to ask the big questions of ourselves through cinema, is exciting and vital.' Brian Cox is one of the A-list stars who backed a three-year campaign calling for the cinema to be reopened (Ben Whitley/PA) Moves to reopen the cinema began when the building's owners, Caledonian Heritable, agreed to lease the building back as a modern cinema space for a minimum period of 25 years, with a new lease being signed in July 2024. Work to refurbish the venue then began in February 2025, supported by funding including £324,000 from the grassroots Open the Doors! crowdfunding campaign, £1.5 million from the UK Government, and donations from other sources. Fundraising is also continuing for some remaining elements of the project. Andrew Simpson, executive director of Filmhouse, said: 'The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited. 'The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond. 'We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. 'Filmhouse belongs to its community and we're excited to welcome people back.' The Filmhouse team said 'comfort' was at the heart of the refurbishment, with filmgoers able to expect extra legroom and comfy seats, and a completely reworked foyer space. The Filmhouse bar has also been 'completely refurbished', with dining capacity for 100 people and a food and drink menu focused on sustainable produce from Scotland and England. Margaret Graham, culture and communities convener at Edinburgh City Council, described news of the reopening as 'wonderful'. She said: 'I am sure that many people across Edinburgh and beyond will be looking forward to this event. 'This much-loved cinema is both a community hub and cultural asset for the city. 'Its refurbishment will allow even more people to enjoy the magic of global cinema in the heart of the city.'
Western Telegraph
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Arthouse cinema reopening after campaign pulls it ‘back fae the brink'
The Filmhouse cinema on Lothian Road will reopen on June 27, with a programme of films that were missed since it closed its doors on October 6, 2022. Originally opened in a repurposed church in 1978, the cinema was shuttered following the collapse of its parent charity Centre for the Moving Image. Since then, the building has undergone a £2 million refurbishment that has seen a complete internal refit to the public areas and screens, and 'substantial' repairs to the roof and stonework. Filmhouse is a place utterly dedicated to the promotion and celebration of independent cinema Jack Lowden, Filmhouse patron Previously a three-screen venue, a new fourth screen is also set to be added in July as part of a second phase of work, bringing the cinema's capacity up to 350 seats. The reopening follows a three-year campaign backed by film lovers from around the world and leading actors including Filmhouse patrons Jack Lowden, Charlotte Wells, Brian Cox and Emma Thompson. Lowden, whose film credits include Dunkirk and The Outrun, said the new reopened cinema will provide a 'lift' to Scotland's film-makers and storytellers. 'Filmhouse is a place utterly dedicated to the promotion and celebration of independent cinema,' he said. 'Films need to be watched, not just made. Now, after months of hard work, the incredible team at Filmhouse have managed to pull one of Scotland's few truly independent cinemas back fae the brink. 'To have such a place on the streets of our capital providing the platform to give our world-class film-makers and storytellers the lift-off they need, and continue to ask the big questions of ourselves through cinema, is exciting and vital.' Brian Cox is one of the A-list stars who backed a three-year campaign calling for the cinema to be reopened (Ben Whitley/PA) Moves to reopen the cinema began when the building's owners, Caledonian Heritable, agreed to lease the building back as a modern cinema space for a minimum period of 25 years, with a new lease being signed in July 2024. Work to refurbish the venue then began in February 2025, supported by funding including £324,000 from the grassroots Open the Doors! crowdfunding campaign, £1.5 million from the UK Government, and donations from other sources. Fundraising is also continuing for some remaining elements of the project. Andrew Simpson, executive director of Filmhouse, said: 'The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited. 'The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond. 'We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. 'Filmhouse belongs to its community and we're excited to welcome people back.' This much-loved cinema is both a community hub and cultural asset for the city Councillor Margaret Graham, Edinburgh City Council The Filmhouse team said 'comfort' was at the heart of the refurbishment, with filmgoers able to expect extra legroom and comfy seats, and a completely reworked foyer space. The Filmhouse bar has also been 'completely refurbished', with dining capacity for 100 people and a food and drink menu focused on sustainable produce from Scotland and England. Margaret Graham, culture and communities convener at Edinburgh City Council, described news of the reopening as 'wonderful'. She said: 'I am sure that many people across Edinburgh and beyond will be looking forward to this event. 'This much-loved cinema is both a community hub and cultural asset for the city. 'Its refurbishment will allow even more people to enjoy the magic of global cinema in the heart of the city.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mark Ruffalo and Brian Cox demand Keir Starmer helps free Brit before mum dies
Actors Brian Cox, Mark Ruffalo and Bill Nighy are among celebrities calling on Keir Starmer to do more to secure Alaa Abd el-Fattah's freedom as his mum fights for her life in hospital Celebrities Brian Cox, Mark Ruffalo and Bill Nighy have pleaded with Keir Starmer to do more to free an imprisoned Brit whose hunger-striking mum is fighting for her life. The trio are among supporters - also including Harry Potter star Emily Watson and actor Joseph Fiennes - who have written to the PM demanding tougher action to secure Alaa Abd el-Fattah's freedom. They warn it is "almost too late" to save his mother, Dr Laila Soueif, who was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London last week. Pro-democracy writer Alaa is behind bars in Egypt, despite his heavily-criticised prison sentence expiring in September last year. Dr Soueif, who has not eaten for 246 days, has lost more than seven stone, and has dangerously low blood sugar. Medics warn the 69-year-old is at risk of sudden death as her condition worsens. In their letter, supporters told the PM they are "watching with dismay as Dr. Laila Soueif risks death to save her son". The letter continues: "Alaa should never have been imprisoned in the first place. He is an internationally respected writer and a brave advocate for democracy. He has now lost over ten years of his life to the prison cell. His most recent prison sentence expired on September 29 2024 - yet he is still behind bars." And they conclude: "Prime Minister, we are asking you to take bold, immediate action to save her life and to re-unite Alaa with his family. It is almost too late." Succession star Mr Cox has previously called on the PM to "pick up the phone" to Egyptian Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and negotiate Alaa's release. And Hulk actor Mr Ruffalo is a longstanding supporter of the campaign to free him. Alaa was sentenced to five years in prison in 2019 for "spreading fake news" after criticising the Egyptian government. His family are desperate to get him back to the UK, where he has a 13-year-old son, Khaled, living in Brighton. On Sunday Dr Souif told the PM: 'Mr Starmer, you have told me that you are committed to doing everything to secure Alaa's release, but Alaa is still in prison so obviously what you are doing is not the best that can be done.' She told LBC Radio: 'I said from the beginning, I will continue until either Alaa has been released or my health collapses completely.' She met with Mr Starmer in February, when the PM gave his "personal commitment" to securing Alaa's release. He has spoken to the Egyptian President twice pressing for him to be freed. The UN last week said Aala is being arbitrarily detained - placing an obligation on Egypt to release him immediately under international law. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are deeply concerned by Laila's hospitalisation. "We remain in regular contact with Laila's family and have checked on her welfare. We are committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release. "The Foreign Secretary stressed the urgency of the situation in a call with his counterpart on Sunday morning, and further engagement at the highest levels of the Egyptian government continues.'
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Directly complicit in their deaths': Dua Lipa, Sherlock star join hands as 300 celebs call on UK PM to stop arms sales to Israel, end ‘horrors in Gaza'
Over 300 British stars from the world of music, cinema and entertainment, including pop star Dua Lipa, Succession actor Brian Cox and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, have called on United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer to end the country's 'complicity in the horrors in Gaza'. In a letter released on Thursday, also signed by other public figures and leading doctors, academics, advocacy groups and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, the signatories urge Starmer to immediately halt arms sales to Israel, adding that 'words won't feed Palestinian children'. The letter demands three broad actions: The letter became public on a day Israel said it will establish 22 Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. This would include existing outposts built without government authorisation that will now be legalised. Israel also continued its strikes on the Gaza Strip, killing 12 people overnight, health officials said. As the Israel's ground offensive inside Gaza has continued, with casualties mounting up by day, the criticism of Netanyahu's regime by its allies in the West has also increased. 'Those who survive starvation wake up to bombs falling on them. Violence stamped with UK inaction – flown with parts shipped from British factories to Israel, could be obliterating families in seconds. Each arms shipment makes our country directly complicit in their deaths,' the letter argued. Recently, the UK PM had said that 'the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,' and halted trade talks with the country. Referring to the same, the public figures write: 'You can't call it 'intolerable' and keep sending arms. Every moment this continues, is another moment children die on our watch. This complicity is not inevitable – it is a choice. What do you choose, Prime Minister?'
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brian Cox play under review after only white actors told they needed ‘woke' training
It's a production about the rise and fall of The Royal Bank of Scotland. RACE ROW Brian Cox play under review after only white actors told they needed 'woke' training Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RACE row has erupted over a Brian Cox play after only white actors were told they required diversity training. The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has launched a review after it was alleged white cast members were instructed to do lessons in misogyny and oppression awareness - while black performers were excused. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Brian Cox stars in the show where cast were offered diversity training. Credit: PA Succession favourite Cox, 78, will star in Make it Happen at the Dundee Rep. It's a production about the rise and fall of The Royal Bank of Scotland. The training brief stated: 'This training is not compulsory for people of colour or from the global majority, though their participation is entirely voluntary and welcomed.' Jackie Wylie, the artistic director and NTS chief executive, has ordered a review after the Free Speech Union (FSU) complained the training treated 'members of one racial group less favourably than members of others'. The union said: 'It is plain that actors of white European ancestry are protected under the characteristic of race. 'Case law suggests that having good intentions is not sufficient to counter a claim of direct discrimination.' The FSU, founded by Lord Young of Acton, said the specific exemption for black performers implied the 'training is only mandatory for actors of white, European ancestry'. Jess Mally was due to provide the £1,500 group training course. She's a London anti-racism educator who charges 'white folks' 50 per cent more than people from 'the global majority' in her publicly advertised lessons. The global majority is widely viewed as the 80 per cent of the world population who live outside Europe, North America and Australasia. Tickets for 'white and white-passing people' cost £150 a head, disabled and LGBTQ+ people pay £120 and 'black and brown' people pay £100. Brian Cox defends author JK Rowling and her campaigning on issues relating to gender The FSU has reported NTS to the UK equalities watchdog because the Equality Act prohibits employers from treating staff differently based on the protected characteristic of race, which includes skin colour, nationality and ethnic origin. The NTS said: 'We acknowledge that use of the correct language around the offer of this training is important and this is currently under review.'
