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The story of the now legendary Scala cinema that through its unique programme ranging from established classics to offbeat cult hits, offered a refuge to community in the post-punk years of Thatcher’s Britain Archive footage, eye-popping movie clips, acid-crazed animation and some famous names collide to tell the story of London’s infamous, influential Scala cinema. With its cracked marble floors, resident cats and mysterious, extrasensory rumblings, the Scala was magic and a refuge from the violence of Thatcher’s Britain. Hilarious, irreverent, and ultimately heartbreaking with a fabulous original score by Barry Adamson, SCALA!!! is more than mere nostalgia, it’s an X-rated love letter and a universal shout-out to the power of cinemas to inspire impressionable young minds and create a sense of community for outsiders. A place where everyone is welcome.

Scala (1990)
36 min
A film about the London repertory cinema the Scala, noted for its eclectic and sometimes controversial programmes, which changed daily. Management, staff and audience members are interviewed about the cinema's history and notable events, which included themed parties and personal appearances by film-makers.