Bikes and wheels. More often than not, as I perform my daily trawl through social media feeds or read local blogs, one or both of these items will be mentioned. Robots also pop up a lot, but that’s not what I’m here for today. Look upwards, even our revered Culture Vulture logo, which has always been suspiciously circular, has been enveloped with a wheel.
“But why, Mark?” I hear you cry, “Where has this, seemingly overnight, obsession come from?” Well, I shall tell you. From now until the beginning of July, throughout Yorkshire and the Peak District and as part of the Yorkshire Festival 2014, Sheffield Doc/Fest is going to be celebrating some of the greatest cycling films ever made. To top it off they’re even organising a little bike race on the 5 July to coincide with the conclusion of the programme. Personally, I’m not too fussed about the physical bike part, I never travel via wheel unless someone else is steering/ providing the power, but bikes on film? That I can get behind.
Entitled Tour de Cinema, there are a number of aspects to this series of screenings that excite me but two stand out more than most. Firstly there are the venues that films are being shown at. With destinations including Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey and Peace Gardens these showings are about as far removed from the sticky-floored local multiplex as you can get. It never ceases to amaze how the surroundings can impact your viewing experience. If you’ve not done so before, then an outdoor screening is something not to be missed. If you don’t have faith in the Yorkshire weather though (and who could blame you), don’t panic. There are also indoor screenings taking place in a variety of equalling impressive venues, such as the National Media Museum and the Hebden Bridge Picture House (which is absolutely beautiful).
Secondly, the viewings are all free of charge. Organising these kinds of events is no small feat and to offer up the end results at no cost is nothing to be sniffed at. The films on show include releases from the BFI archives and works from Ridley Scott, Alan Bennett, Louis Malle, Martin Wallace and Jarvis Cocker.
The programme also includes two films commissioned especially for the festival. Velodrama, directed by the award-winning Daisy Asquith, takes footage from over 100 different titles in the BFI archives to showcase the history of the bicycle on film. Set to a score by Bill Nelson and Chumbawumba the film promises to be a fascinating insight, taking us from the invention of the modern bike right up to this year’s Tour de France. From Trike to Bike takes a more personal look at our relationships with bikes. Unearthing footage from the Yorkshire Film Archive it aims to capture our individual cycling journeys whether it be cycling proficiency tests (personally, mine was a bloody disaster) or local road races. With input from Yorkshire’s champion rider, Beryl Burton, and a heavy emphasis on local landmarks it should be essential viewing for anyone with even a passing interest in cycling or the Yorkshire countryside and history.
Tour de Cinema is taking place at a wealth of venues until 5 July. To find out more and see where your nearest screening is taking place visit https://sheffdocfest.com/view/tourdecinema