The director and writer of the 1996 film Brassed Off was joined on Saturday by cast and crew for a screening and Q&A at the city’s iconic Showroom Cinema.
The event took place as part of Showroom’s ‘mini season’ of films and events which are to mark 40 years since the end of the miners’ strike in 1985, and this weekend coincided with the cinema’s birthday.
Brassed Off is set in South Yorkshire around ten years after the strike, and follows a brass band made up of miners who are struggling after the closure of their pit. It was inspired by the story and struggles of the real-life Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
The screening was fittingly followed by a performance from Sheffield-based Unite the Union Brass Band, which was met with a standing ovation.
In addition to Brassed Off, for which Herman was awarded ‘Best Screenplay’ by the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the director’s works include The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) and Little Voice (1998).
The cinema described the film as a “Showroom favourite”, partly because lead actor Pete Postlethwaite opened screens 3 & 4 in 1998.
Actor Stephen Tompkison also took part in the Q&A alongside co-star Melanie Hill and producer Steve Abbott. It was hosted by Mark Herbert, CEO of Warp Films and assistant location manager of Brassed Off.
Dave, from the Instagram account steelcitysnapper, wrote: “It was a really interesting Q&A! Afterwards Mark Herman and Stephen Tompkinson signed my blu ray.”
The event also marked Unite the Union Brass Band’s third collaboration with Showroom.
The band has its roots in Sheffield, and has played under various names since its formation over 100 years ago.
Melissa Maddison, the Chairperson of the Band said: “Brassed Off was the perfect film to capture the history of mining whilst celebrating a classic Yorkshire film. There are many issues that sit deeply at the heart of the working people of Yorkshire and beyond. Music, particularly brass music, really brings people together.
“The band has its heart and soul in the centre of our beloved Sheffield.”
It has historic ties to working people in Sheffield and around the country, and to this day plays at key events such as Workers Memorial Day and the annual Durham Miners’ Gala.
Melissa said: “We believe our music at such events helps to unite groups of people to stand together for one another. Music plays a key role in making a positive difference to people’s lives, and we are very grateful to play a part in that.
“We rehearse in the city centre and the band has its roots here which is where it all started back in 1900. There are so many events, celebrations and occasions where music, particularly brass music is so important to our communities within Sheffield.”
Showroom’s Head of Programming, Ryan Finnigan, said: “We view these kinds of screenings and events as very important in not only providing access to cinema that has historical and social value and can help us learn about and from our cultural heritage – but also in providing the space to have surrounding conversations and expertise on the issues that a film can represent.”
“For the Miners’ Strike screenings, we’ve tried to get the creators of the films and local academics into the cinema alongside the films as much as possible, to provide valuable context on their production and the history of the strike, to give the local community – whether from Sheffield originally or new to the city – the chance to ask questions and learn directly about the strike and the history of our region.”
He said the 30th anniversary of Showroom represents an “incredible achievement” in a time that is extremely challenging for independent cinema.
He said: “Venues like Showroom need to survive and receive support so that we can continue to support the independent filmmakers of the future, and we’re all very passionate about not just the history of cinema, but also that we are able to show films that other cinemas often don’t support because they aren’t overtly commercial, and we’re hugely grateful for our audience that come and support that mission.”
