A celebration of the 100th anniversary of Indian cinema and it’s local relationship begins this Friday until 24th August in Bradford. Bollywood, Bradford and Beyond involves film posters reminding us of Bradford’s heyday as a centre for Indian and Pakistani film screenings, and is complimented with photography by Tim Smith, who has documented the influence Bollywood cinema has had in the UK as it’s moved from the margins to the mainstream. Tim’s work follows local dance groups in action – inspired by their favourite films and actors; and goes behind the scenes of blockbuster film Mujhse Dosti Karoge?, filmed on location in the Lake District.
The posters, saved from cinemas including the Marlboro, Roxy, Arcadian and Sangeet, publicised films that audiences flocked to see from all over England and Scotland between the 1950s and 1980s, as Bradford became known as a centre for British Asian social life in the North.
Acquired by Bradford Museums from a local collector these posters are complemented by archive photographs and a film newly commissioned by Bradford UNESCO City of Film featuring interviews with audience members and cinema operators Fazal Hussain and Umar Khan, who organised both screenings and the visits of cinema stars to Bradford during the 1960s.
The exhibition will be staged at the Bradford 1 Gallery in Centenary Square, BD1 1SD from Friday 17 May until Saturday 24 August. Further info and opening hours available on 01274 437800.