Open Air | Brassed Off (Sold out)
Moving tragicomedy about the fortunes of a miners’ brass band at the time of the closure of their mine. Screening in the context of the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Limburg mines
Social problems don’t have to result in bleak films. This is proven by the feel-good film BRASSED OFF, a film in the tradition of Ken Loach and Mike Leigh’s social realist British working-class cinema. The film is set in 1992 in the Yorkshire mining village of Grimley. The local mine survived the 1984 Thatcher government mine closures, but eight years later the management wants to close the unprofitable mine after all. The miners receive a hefty buyout payment if they agree to the closure. This divides the otherwise close-knit community. BRASSED OFF follows the miners who continue to oppose the closure. They can vent their frustrations in the brass band, but because of the impending mine closure, members are more concerned with their financial worries than rehearsals. Bandleader Danny – a wonderful role by the now-deceased Pete Postlethwaite – watches the decline of his brass band with sorrow, but sees the tide turn when a lovely young woman signs up as a new member. She plays so well that Danny’s old dream of winning the national brass band championship is revived.
Programme:
20.40hrs: Start performance
21:05hrs: Brief welcome + short interview
21:10hrs: Encore + footage of mine closures
21:20hrs: Start of BRASSED OFF
There was only one possible opener for this evening: a performance by Brass Band Limburg. Under the musical direction of Renato Meli, the band has established itself over the years as one of the most respected brass bands in the region. On August 14, a brass ensemble of BBL members, led by second conductor Stijn Waterval, will perform. This ensemble will play against the backdrop of historical footage from Limburg's mining history.
This program was created in collaboration with WMC Kerkrade.