THE classic Hollywood movie genre “film noir” begins touring Warrington’s libraries today with a stunning photographic exhibition, special film screenings and a display on the history of cinema in the town.
Paint it Black, a joint project between Warrington photographer Paul Jackson and partners Culture Warrington, LiveWire and Warrington Borough Council, explores the dark and mysterious world of film noir, a genre of American crime thrillers such as The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity and The Killers.
An exhibition of photographs inspired by these highly stylised black and white films, which are so evocative of mystery and intrigue with their dimly-lit nightscapes and smoky silhouettes, enjoyed a hugely successful launch night last Thursday to coincide with an official celebration of Warrington’s City of Culture bid.
Speaking after the event, Paul said: “It went excellently. The feedback was all brilliant, from the volunteers who took part and the dignitaries who came along.
“The volunteer models hadn’t seen their own photos yet so it was lovely to see the looks on their faces when they saw them for the first time; it was a real confidence boost and I’m now so ready for the exhibition to go live.”
The Paint it Black collection, all captured by talented photographer Paul, will now go on tour, spending a week at five of the town’s libraries – Warrington Central, Penketh, Culcheth, Stockton Heath and Padgate.
The retro images will be accompanied by special screenings of classic film noir movies and promotion of the “hardboiled” American crime fiction novels which inspired them.
Warrington Noir, an exhibition exploring the history of cinema in Warrington during the 1940s and 1950s, will also run at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery to coincide with the film noir celebration, featuring images and memorabilia from the period.
Paul, of Unit 8 Photography, said: “I love our libraries and want to help promote what a great range of services and activities they have on offer.
The whole point of this project is to show people how special our libraries are and to encourage them to come and have a look.
This is a really exciting project and a fantastic advert for the town and its people.”
The models, make-up artists, hair stylists, set and costume designers, and production assistants who took part in the project were all volunteers from the Warrington area who were keen to help recreate the mood of this truly unique period in filmmaking.
Some of Warrington’s best known and most iconic buildings, including Central Library, Pyramid & Parr Hall, and Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, provided stunning backdrops to some of the images with portrait shots being taken in Paul’s studio at Pyramid arts centre.
Derek Dick, outreach and engagement manager at Culture Warrington, hopes the project will help raise the profile of the town’s libraries.
Derek said: “Paint it Black is a brilliant project in its own right, but the fact that it’s designed to encourage people into Warrington’s libraries, to showcase their unique offer and highlight their importance as community hubs, makes it all the more worthwhile.
This is a really unique multi-media project which will explore an important and influential period in film history; it was all made possible thanks to the people of Warrington kindly donating their time and enthusiasm, making this a truly original community project.
We hope as many Warrington residents as possible come along to see the touring exhibition and enjoy the film screenings, while reminding themselves how important our libraries are.”
The project was also made possible thanks to generous donations from Warrington businesses such as Watsons Solicitors, and St Rocco’s Hospice which loaned Paul some of the stunning costumes featured in the images.
Tickets for the film screenings can be bought at any of Warrington’s libraries or at www.pyramidparrhall.com
warrington-worldwide’s Gary Skentelbery – one of those featuring in the film Noir exhibition
