Community gather for Lower Falinge film premiere

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Members of the Lower Falinge Film Group, with Khalida Crossley from RBH and other RBH representatives

Members of the Lower Falinge community gathered at the Odeon Cinema this evening (Monday 6 December 2010) to watch a film about life in the area.

Two coach loads of residents piled into the cinema, alongside Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) representatives, local Councillors, Police officers and businessmen and women for the movie premiere.

Khalida Crossley from RBH explained the purpose of the film:  “RBH worked with Glass Eye productions, Link4life and Rochdale Borough Councils’ Pride Partnership to establish a film group made up of local residents.  We wanted to give this group a chance to learn interviewing, filming and editing - skills that not only build their confidence but also enhance their employment chances.

“The film group worked with Lower Falinge residents to record their remarkable stories in a series of short films and on a cross platform documentary entitled ‘Explore Falinge’.”

Eight residents were involved in the filmmaking group and 24-year-old Pascal Fernando, an Angolan national who has lived in the area for three years, said the experience not only provided some invaluable skills for the future but also introduced him to the great community spirit on Lower Falinge.

“It was really surprising to find out just how much is going on in this area and I was amazed at how many different groups there are,” he said. 

“The course itself has been great and has provided me with skills that I hope will give me a competitive edge when I graduate from university.”

The partners were keen to use the project to demonstrate the many positive stories from the area. This includes the diversity of the population, their skills and how language barriers don’t stand in the way of people getting together.  A men’s group, a women’s group, a gardening group, a parents and toddlers’ group, a sewing group, a junior wardens’ group and the film group are just some of the community activities in the area.

Craig McAteer Managing Director of Link4Life, said: “We have been delighted to work alongside residents on this project. Culture has a significant part to play in helping to break down the barriers of isolation and build confidence and self-esteem.”

As well as the short films, the evening saw the launch of www.explore falinge.org - an innovative cross platform documentary project that uses the latest in web and online social network technology combined with film - to provide a storytelling platform that residents will be able to use for themselves.

Danny Lomax from Glass Eye explained: “They can see what’s on in the area as well as connect to a wide range of agency services.  Residents without their own internet connnection can use the facilities of the one shop or the community base on the estate.  They will be able to access Explore.Falinge.org and Facebook as well as Twitter.”