New Year and the first episode of 2024 and of Series 2. It’s a weird and wonderful, inspired and insane start to things. In this episode I interview Jane Giles and Ali Catterall, co-directors of the new documentary: ‘Scala!!!…or the incredibly strange rise and fall on of the world’s wildest cinema and how it influenced a mixed-up generation of weirdos and misfits.’ From 1978 to 1993 the Scala, in its various incarnations, was a hub of artistic and social energy and creativity and its story is inspiring as well as moving. That story is beautifully told in this unique film. It also features original music by Mr. Barry Adamson. Jane and Ali were fascinating people to talk to and the film is a joyful education. SCALA!!! is in cinemas now and available on BFI Player and BFI Blu-ray from 22 January. A season of the Scala’s greatest hits, Scala: Sex, drugs and rock and roll cinema, runs at BFI Southbank throughout January with selected films on BFI Player.

Scala: Sex, drugs and rock and roll cinema Thanks to Ali and Jane for being so generous with their time and to Jill at the BFI and Shaun at Central Control for all the help getting this together.

The Bad Seeds gig I mention was in fact 1992.

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