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 Stranger caught up with film director Julien Temple to find out
why he’s taking time out of his busy film career to champion his local
town hall regeneration project.
Bridgwater: the historic former industrial port in Somerset is long past its former glory, and the now supermarket-trolley-filled, silted banks of the river Parrett are a metaphor for the town’s feeling of abandonment. But there is one person who has a wealth of good and unexpected words to say for the place. This person is no other than film director, Julien Temple.
Temple is no stranger to Bridgwater; in fact, his father helped develop the cultural heart of the town by getting involved in opening the first Arts Centre in the UK on King Square in the 1940s. “My dad’s from Bridgwater, so I’ve always had a strong connection here. I have a great strength of feeling for the place and also a sense of anger for how it’s been neglected,” Julien says.
The town’s authorities may have let the community down by ignoring the need for cultural rejuvenation in favour of housing development, but in spite of this, the town's people thrive on the celebration of their biggest tradition: Bridgwater Carnival (one of the biggest illuminated carnivals in the world). Temple recalls the first time he brought his friend Joe Strummer to Bridgwater: “The first float that came around the corner was playing 'Rock The Kasbah', then five minutes later another one came around playing 'Should I Stay or Should I Go', and Joe was like, 'Wow, this is a Clash town!' And that was one of the reasons why he decided to move down here.”
Temple’s connection with Bridgwater is deep rooted, and shows no sign of wavering, as he puts his name to the Black Lamp Cinema, a segment of the planned Town Hall Island Project, which is in the process of being approved. “I’ve always wanted my own office behind a cinema screen,” Temple says with a wry smile.
As well as Temple’s independent cinema, there will also be a Damien Hirst Gallery, and rehearsal spaces run by the music charity Strummerville, with Alan Yentob as the patron (who, coincidently, is also a local.) The aim of this ambitious project is to inject a much-needed boost of cultural energy back into the centre of the town, and to give the community more arts and entertainment choices.
“We want to create something that will not just draw attention to the town and region, but give it an international profile by showing international films and inviting bands to play here, giving the town something to be proud of.” The town’s reaction to the Island Project has been generally encouraging, but those committed to the town’s steadfast traditions have invited some criticism. Temple comments: “You’re going to get some 19th Century attitudes and I think there is reason for people to be suspicious of what’s going on, but we want the project to be a very inclusive thing.”
Temple’s plans for the Black Lamp Cinema include installing state-of-the-art digital projection, setting up a film festival and showcasing local and international filmmaking talent. He says, “As well as providing an all-year-round use for the auditorium, the Black Lamp will show challenging and provocative films from all over the world.” The Black Lamp Cinema will work in partnership with the Engine Room media centre, an already existing segment of the project that Temple became the patron of when it opened in 2003.
With an urban regeneration plan that any town would be jealous of, and a powerful, passionate team of locals at the helm, what could possibly go wrong? Temple is optimistic: “Sure it’s going to be difficult, but all the different bodies coming together should make it more likely to happen. As an independent filmmaker, I’m always fundraising, so in that respect, this isn’t much different.” The development process will probably be long and arduous, but Temple thinks that the Island Project will up and running by 2010 at the earliest.
As Temple juggles his position on the committee board with three other film projects, including Kinkdom Come (a dramatised real-life story of the 1960s rockers), it would be fair to say he may struggle with the commitment, but it is the spirit of Bridgwater that keeps Temple coming back. “I love the kind of underdog spirit of the place – that despite all the shit the town has to put up with, the spirit of the people in Bridgwater is unique to the West Country.” Lets hope Temple’s rebellious attitude and determination earns Bridgwater the rejuvenation it deserves.
(Words by Holly Wicks)
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