A Film Buff's Haven

Like so many growing up in a golden age of British cinema, Jill Moodie’s passion for film was stirred by an impossibly suave and sophisticated Scotsman.

Weaned on a diet of Sean Connery’s James Bond in the 1960s – shaken when he finally exited the role - the Perth Film Society stalwart’s love affair with the big screen has endured regardless.

It’s easy to see how Edinburgh’s most famous son cast his spell, for this was a time when the young Jill could watch any Bond classic – Thunderball, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice – as often as she liked on one entry ticket.

Yet, if 007 was Jill’s first matinee idol, he wasn’t alone in vying for her affections. Raised in a town with three cinemas, at a time when big budget musicals from the 50s and 60s would often play three times daily, Jill’s formative years in Helensburgh had Hollywood glamour on tap.

The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Carousel, the King and I – whose lead, Deborah Kerr, also began life in the Clydeside town – were the stuff of dreams for a fledgling cinema-goer.

It’s that eclectic, energetic mix of early cinema-going that informs Jill’s viewing habits to this day. And, as summer draws to a close, any gloomy thoughts are quickly dispelled by the frisson of new season of cinema in her adopted home town.

Perth Film Society’s new autumn/winter programme, curated by Jill and her fellow committee members, covers a lot of cinematic bases. It’s a winning formula that’s won the society a lot of friends, with many screenings selling out.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. As a seasoned cinema-goer, Jill has an innate sense of what audiences like.

“I've been a complete film buff for my whole life,” recalls Jill. “My first trip to the cinema was to see Princess Margaret's wedding – I must have been about five at the time– and I was well and truly hooked.

“My first film idol has to be Sean Connery! I've never lost the Bond habit and still love the new versions, especially Skyfall. There were musicals too. I think my first was The Sound of Music, but there were plenty of other Rodgers and Hammersteins in the mix.”

“As well as Bond and Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, I've also got a huge soft spot for a dose of the Fred Astaires, as well as the old Busby Berkley extravaganzas. And how could I not give Disney cartoons a shout out as well."

When Jill left Helensburgh for Glasgow School of Art in her late teens, an active film society welcomed her, opening up a whole new world of surrealist and arthouse movies. Regular trips to the nearby Glasgow Film Theatre further widened her cinematic horizons.

Stand-out films during a lifetime of viewing have included Ken Russell's Aria, the Soviet silent film Battleship Potemkin, the Polish war epic A Generation and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.

She’s found the Cohen brothers to be endlessly fascinating; so too – for entirely different reasons – Wallace and Gromit and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Her current musical favourite is The Greatest Showman.

Favourites come and go, but a love of film has been constant, full of twists and turns too.

“Ours is a small committee of knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers and I wanted to augment the excellent work already being carried out. Social media was one area that jumped out, along with mainstream media work to promote our films to wider audiences.”

A move to Stornoway after college saw Jill become bookings secretary for the local film society: “Those were the days when reel to reel films came to the island by post. Often they didn’t, in which case, we begged a substitute from the local RAF station. Some were better than others. It’s fair to say!”

When Jill and her husband moved to Perth in 1988, regular trips to Film Society screenings helped her settle in the town. Work commitments, however, restricted her involvement: “I always promised myself that I'd give something back and join the committee once I’d embarked on a life of blissful retirement.

“Ours is a small committee of knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers and I wanted to augment the excellent work already being carried out. Social media was one area that jumped out, along with mainstream media work to promote our films to wider audiences.”

Jill’s joining coincided with renovations to Perth Theatre, which enable the Society to move from the Norie Miller Studio to better screen and sound equipment in the Joan Knight Studio Theatre. The cost incurred meant audiences needed to grow, but Perth responded in kind.

“Our regulars are a truly lovely lot,” says Jill. “Our audiences vary depending on the film, but there’s no need for any kind of membership or difficult commitment – you just have to come with your eyes wide open and enjoy!

“I love the idea of not having to choose a film to watch - of just turning up on a regular film night, kicking back and letting others do that hard work for you.

“Some of the films you'll love, and some you might not like, but you will always be surprised and enthused by finding something unexpected.”

Films are selected to promote understanding and appreciation of all kinds of cinema, with an emphasis on work that larger cinemas often can’t show, perhaps for economic reasons.

Many of the films are not in English but shown with subtitles, so that they appeal to native speakers living locally, to language learners and to anyone with a hearing impairment. 

Films come from across Europe, and from farther afield – Cuba, Russia, Palestine, India, Iran and South America. They have included comedies, thrillers, animation, adventures and films about musicians.

“Films are always chosen to reflect what’s coming through from the various reviews and worldwide awards,” says Jill. “Our list also covers the kinds of films that our audiences have enjoyed, or that people may have seen – or want to see – and have recommended.  

“We'll always try to have a spread of such films across the programme, but with regular favourite slots such as our legendary Italian night.”

The Society is also proud of the links it has forged with local community projects and organisations, such as Amnesty International and Perth and Kinross Women's Festival.

Last year it raised funds for the locally based ME Research UK charity by screening Unrest at the request of a local resident whose life has been blighted by the illness. 

Films come from across Europe, and from farther afield – Cuba, Russia, Palestine, India, Iran and South America. They have included comedies, thrillers, animation, adventures and films about musicians.

Films are always introduced and enjoyed in a friendly atmosphere, with free tea and coffee for ticket holders and often with additional snacks and other refreshments.  

Discussion and feedback are encouraged on the way in or out, and on the Society’s new Facebook page. For some films, such as Unrest, there’s been a follow-up Q&A.

In the upcoming programme, the opening feature The Square has already caught Jill’s eye and  Aurore and A Fantastic Woman are both eagerly anticipated. The showing of Federico Fellini’s remastered classic La Strada at Christmas time promises to be another high spot.

Having enjoyed the many Arabic films shown in recent seasons, Jill is also looking forward to another – In Between from Palestine.

Film Society highlights over the years are too numerous to mention, but Jill is most proud of those films that have been screened to support significant causes and events.

Belle and The Eagle Huntress were screened for International Women's Day; Son of Saul marked International Holocaust Day; and others have been scheduled to support local groups and milestone events, such as Perth 800. More will follow in future.

It’s those personal touches that make Perth Film Society so special, says Jill: “The fabulous thing about Netflix is the availability of such a huge range of films any time, any place, anywhere.

“But, in my view, you just can't beat the shared experience of a film well shown and well watched on a big screen. Hearing the gasps, laughter, or sobs of fellow audience members adds such a lot.”