Film society offers rare treats
GREENSIDE - Film lovers will be happy to know there's a film society that doesn't screen Hollywood blockbusters chockablock with computer generated special effects.
The Majestic Film Society prides itself on its monthly screenings of rare cinematic gems and Hollywood’s golden age greats.
Founded in April 2013 by Greenside’s Majestic DVD shop owners Henni Erasmus and Niel Schoeman together with Radio Today broadcaster Selwyn Klass, the society holds its screenings at the Ditsong Museum of Military History, Saxonwold.
Klass said he and Erasmus have known each other for years, and that both men have had a long involvement with bringing good cinema to the community.
“Erasmus had a film society that met at the museum, and years ago a friend, Italo Bernicchi and I had a movie house called the Preview Theatre attached to Bernicchi’s home which we co-ran. Bernicchi was a cinematographer and owned the old Victory theatre,” said Klass.
He said the Majestic Film Society came about because of this history and because of the trio’s passion for cinema’s lesser-known classics.
“This is about the renewal of titles, the renewal of rareties,” he said.
Erasmus said it was important for the society to tie in screenings with historical events, and gave examples of screenings of the South African portion of the 1947 Royal Tour, and a screening of Miracle at Midnight, a film that commemmorated the rescue of Danish Jews during the Holocaust.
“This year, we hope to do something around Anne Frank, as this year would have been her 85th birthday. We’re also looking at a screening that marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the first world war,” he said.
The screenings follow the same general format, featuring an introduction by Klass and ending with a catered light supper with wine.
“The screenings are informal. Like-minded people meet and chat. It feels like a group of friends getting together,” said Erasmus.
He added that they plan to launch the Majestic Historical Society in the near future.
“This society will focus on documentary films which give history ‘in the raw’. The museum is a wonderful place for these events, as it helps us really reflect on the character of the films,” said Erasmus.
The next screening will be The Lion in Winter on 23 February at the Ditsong Museum of Military History, Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, at 6pm.
Details: 011 486 3648
011 486 3648; majestic@telkomsa.net
