RIO SCHOOL SCREENINGS

Thanks to funding from Film London and the Mercers' Company, the Rio is delighted to be able to continue its screening programme for schools, offering films relevant to the National Curriculum, as well as cultural and social initiatives such as Black History Month and National Anti-Bullying Week. In 2008, over 10,000 children and young people visited the Rio with their schools. All films can be supported by introductions, post-screening discussions, and teachers notes. If you would like more information about what screenings are available please contact Audience Development Officer Jemma Buckley on 020 7241 9419 or email jemma@riocinema.org.uk

RECENT WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

HALF TERM WORKSHOPS

During the May half term the Rio ran a series of post-screening activities, with opportunities for our younger audiences to explore their artistic talents with our craft activities, and write their own reviews of the film. Our favourite review was by Katriya, who wins a poster of the film and two free tickets to come and see another film. The runner up, Lola, also wins two free tickets. Katriya and Lola's reviews are below, along with some other great examples of work by our budding film critics!

"I think Monsters vs Aliens was a really good film. It was funny, action-packed and fabulous. The funniest bit was when Bob said Derek was a double jerk. My favourite character was Bob because the things he said were hilarious. All the other characters were funny too. I think they should make a Monsters vs Aliens 2 as it was one of the best funny films I've seen in ages. At first I thought the film was going to be a bit babyish and slightly boring but it definitely wasn't. I really enjoyed the film and could watch it many more times before I would get bored of it".
Katriya, age 10

"I loved the film. It was funny and cool. My favourite character was Dr Cockroach. He was very funny, he was thought up well and his expressions are funny. I also like Insectosaurus he was animated well. He is cute when he sees a light. Bob was very funny, it was strange because he was made by a tomato with chemicals in. It is cool because Ginormica is first normal and then HUGE. The last one Missing Link is basically a fishman. It is strange because he is a fishman and he eats fish."
Lola, age 8

"I like the bit when the army for the one with the squiggly legs were marching towards the goodies"
Theo, age 5

"I like the bit when the alien rode on the butterfly"
Billy, age 5

"I loved the film because it was too too too funny and because it was exciting."
Ella, age 6

"Insectosaurus was very pretty and the alien Galaxhar was very ugly - but the bad people are meant to be ugly!!!"
Ila, age 8

"I would rate this film 10/10. Bob was really funny, especially the way he ate"
Richard, age 7

"I thought Monsters vs Aliens was great because it was funny, but it had a good storyline. Not many films are funny, but at the same time have a good storyline"
Conor, age 10

"I like Galaxhar because he made it all a bit more exciting and you couldn't really know what would happen at the end which is good because sometimes it is obvious"
Maya, age 10

"The story tells us that you can be good and strong no matter what you are. The film made me feel powerful and happy"
Emily, age 10

"The film was excellent. I would give it 5 stars if I could. The graphics were brilliant, the story fantastic, and the characters were really cool"
Daniel, age 12

THE AGE OF STUPID

On Wednesday 20 May, the Rio organised a schools screening of THE AGE OF STUPID, the new film tackling the important subject of climate change and the disastrous effects on the earth's environment. Following the screening Daniel Vockins, the film's Campaigns Coordinator, kindly agreed to lead a panel discussion. Daniel has spoken for the film across the country, and was the key speaker at the youth premiere screening of the film. He was joined onstage by Fiona Booth from Hackney Friends of the Earth, and local writer and environmental activist Orlando Hughes, all of whom took questions from students on a range of environmental issues.


THE WARRIOR

As part of Discover Young Hackney 2009, the Rio was delighted to welcome students from all over the borough to a very special free school screening of THE WARRIOR, the multi-award winning debut feature of Hackney-born director Asif Kapadia. Winning the BAFTA for Best British Film, the film also received awards from the British Independent and Evening Standard British Film Awards. We were delighted to welcome Asif Kapadia to the Rio Cinema for a Q&A following the screening, to discuss with students his training for, and experiences in, the world of filmmaking.

"The Q&A was informative and interesting. For students to have the opportunity to speak to such a highly proclaimed director was incredibly enriching. The fact that he is also a local boy was inspiring and motivating - a brilliantly organised and worthwhile event".
Anna Johnson, Media tutor, Hackney Community College.

THE SECRET GARDEN

In February the Rio presented two special schools screenings of THE SECRET GARDEN, in partnership with The Garden Classroom, the educational wing of King Henry's Walk Garden - winner of Best Community Garden in London and situated just a five minute walk from the Rio. The Garden Classroom runs imaginative gardening, wildlife, science and environmental workshops and events, and we were delighted to welcome Director Marnie Rose to the stage to give a short presentation on the importance of community gardens in the urban environment, and how they benefit people in the local area. Over 600 children attended the screenings, and two lucky schools - St Mary's in Islington and St Scholasticas in Hackney - each won a free workshop session at The Garden Classroom. (www.thegardenclassroom.org.uk)


HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY - SCREENING AND WORKSHOP

The Rio commemorated Holocaust Memorial day with two very special events. We were pleased to welcome eight schools from Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Enfield to join us for a screening of THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS. The following day, the Rio arranged a one-day filmmaking workshop, which gave twelve pupils from The Petchey Academy the opportunity to make their own short film based on the themes of Holocaust Memorial Day. Organised in partnership with Chocolate Films, we were delighted to welcome Ben Helfgott, a Holocaust survivor who volunteered to be interviewed by the students for their film. We would like to say a special thank you to Mr Helfgott for generously giving up his time to contribute his knowledge and memories to the project.

"A great experience for our students"
Charlotte Carson, History teacher, The Petchey Academy

"My favourite part of the workshop was talking to Ben. I felt honoured that I could listen to his story"
Saorise, age 14, The Petchey Academy

"I loved the filmmaking workshop. I am so proud to have met Ben, he has inspired me to stand up for human rights"
Esme, age 13, The Petchey Academy


NATIONAL ANTI-BULLYING WEEK

As part of Anti-Bullying Week 2008, and in partnership with the National Anti-Bullying Alliance, the Rio Cinema offered a programme of films for primary and secondary school audiences that reflected the theme - 'Being different, belonging together'. The programme was specially developed to encourage schools to use anti-bullying themes as a way of exploring and celebrating diversity in all its forms, and we were delighted to welcome 24 schools from across five London boroughs - with over 1,000 school children attending the screenings in total.  

"This was a brilliant screening which the whole of Key Stage 1 used in order to promote Anti-Bullying Week. It inspired a week of excellent literacy work and posters all celebrating differences and what to do if someone is bullying you. The children love coming to the Rio".
Hester Maddock, Sebright Primary School.


BLACK HISTORY MONTH - SCREENINGS AND WORKSHOP

The Rio's education programme celebrated Black History Month with a series of screenings and events for local schools. For our younger audiences, the Rio was honoured to be the first cinema in the UK to present the SWEET BLACKBERRY films. Created by award-winning production company Sweet Blackberry, these beautiful short films provided an introduction to lesser-known aspects of Black History, telling stories of remarkable African-American figures from history and giving children new heroes to identify with.

Almost 500 secondary school students attending screenings of THE ROSA PARKS STORY, followed by a Q&A discussion with Menelik Shabazz of Black Filmmaker Magazine. Twelve of these students, from Hackney Free and Parochial School, were lucky enough to also attend a one-day filmmaking workshop run by Black Filmmaker Magazine which gave them the opportunity to make their own short film based on the themes of the film.

"The children loved the films and found them really interesting, as did the teachers. The child-friendly language was brilliant and the children now seem to understand what slavery is. We think the films would be great resources for all Hackney schools."
Natalia Zmaczynska, Brook Community School.


WE ARE TOGETHER

The Rio Cinema was delighted to present the first UK schools screening of WE ARE TOGETHER, the multi-award winning documentary filmed over three years in South Africa following the remarkable journey of the children of the Agape choir as they overcome hardship and loss to embark on a life changing musical journey. Winning awards the world over, including at the Tribeca and Edinburgh Film Festivals, the audience loved the film and director Paul Taylor, who undertook a Q&A following the screening, was inundated with questions from students from Hackney, Islington, Newham and Waltham Forest.


BACK TO THE FUTURE

Showing film can be used to support all areas of the National Curriculum, the Rio and the Institute of Physics teamed up to give schools the opportunity to watch BACK TO THE FUTURE with a special introduction from physicist Dr Pete Edwards. Over 300 students listened as Dr Edwards talked about whether time travel was possible, presenting beautiful pictures of distant galaxies which allowed the audience to see millions of years back in time.

"The pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed this showing of such a great, great film! The pupils were entertained and loved all the special effects used in this film. They loved the story and the characters and talked about them all back at school. We all thank the Rio for this wonderful opportunity".
Duncan Melvin, Horizon School.