LIVERPOOL AT THE MOVIES
Museum of Liverpool exhibition tells the story of film-making in the city
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The Museum of Liverpool is to host a special exhibition of original film posters and memorabilia celebrating Liverpool’s starring role in films featuring the city from the past 60 years.
Reel Stories: Liverpool and the Silver Screen opens Friday 11 March 2016 until Sunday 29 January 2017.
Displaying more than 40 original film posters, the exhibition shines the spotlight on Liverpool’s cinematic history and celebrates its enduring relationship with the silver screen. As the most-filmed city in the UK outside of London, Reel Stories: Liverpool and the Silver Screen explores Liverpool’s ability to take on a leading role.
A city of storytellers, Liverpool has starred as itself on many occasions, providing the perfect backdrop to tell the stories of its people and culture.
With its own Film Office, bringing £20million to the city's economy, the city has played host to more than 6,000 productions since the Office opened in 1989, portraying locations as diverse as Victorian London, New York, Chicago and Russia.
Paul Gallagher, Acting Senior Curator of Urban History at the Museum of Liverpool, said: “One of the earliest posters on display is Waterfront, a film made in 1950. We’ve got a whole section that explores the waterfront - the portal into the city - its stories and people. Other themes include crime, youth sub-culture and faith, as well as the works of Liverpool auteur, Terence Davies whose idiosyncratic films include Distant Voices, Still Lives, The Long Day Closes and more recently, Of Time and the City.
“Very few cities are instantly recognisable on screen; Liverpool ranks alongside the likes of New York, Los Angeles and London. It’s testimony to the number and range of films made here that Liverpool has embedded its architecture, landmarks and characters in the minds of movie-goers.”
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member responsible for the Film Office, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This is set to be a fascinating exhibition and will give a taste of the breadth of films in which Liverpool has taken a starring role.
“Liverpool is one of the most-filmed cities in the UK thanks to the diverse locations on offer and the work of our dedicated Film Office team, whose knowledge of the city and willingness to go above and beyond, attracting film and TV productions time and time again.
“We’re pleased to have supported National Museums Liverpool with this showcase and think it’s a great insight into our silver screen success.”
Reel Stories also looks at Liverpool’s historic and iconic picture palaces, including The Paramount and The Forum. The city was home to some of the North West’s most luxurious picture houses – perfect havens of escapism.
Notes to editors:
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is one of the country’s most visited museums outside of London. It is the largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, demonstrating Liverpool’s unique contribution to the world. The first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city, it showcases popular culture while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues. It has attracted more than two million visitors since opening in July 2011. The prestigious Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2013 was awarded to the Museum for its commitment to human rights as well as its work with children and families from all backgrounds.
The Museum has received generous support from several major funders, and grants from trusts and foundations, corporate support and individual donations. Major funders include the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS),Garfield Weston Foundation and the Clore Duffield Foundation.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) was responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and had five key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
The European Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the North West is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government – for further information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5billion across the UK.
About National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool comprises eight venues, including some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. We attract nearly 2.7 million visitors every year. Our venues are the Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Border Force National Museum, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.
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