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30th September 8.20 pm

Edinburgh Filmhouse

Cinetopia DOC presents Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché as part of Transmission: Youth Across Generations, a multi-event programme exploring how youth culture has shaped identity, belonging and collective memory in Britain from the 1980s to the present.

As the first woman of colour in the UK to front a successful rock band - X-Ray Spex - Poly Styrene was a blazing voice of rebellion in the chaos and upheaval of 1970s Britain - singing about identity, consumerism, postmodernism, and everything she saw unfolding with a rare prescience and a female perspective.

As an Anglo-Somali punk musician, Poly Styrene was also a big influence on the riot grrrl and Afropunk movements, inspiring later artists such as Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney and Neneh Cherry.

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Paul Sng hosted by young programmer Shivani Krishna.

Patch It Up! A clothes customisation workshop takes place before the screening but must be booked separately.

A punk-inspired clothes customisation workshop

30 September, 7pm

FILMHOUSE, EDINBURGH

Inspired by Poly Styrene, Cinetopia will be hosting Patch It Up! A punk-inspired clothes customisation workshop - bring along an item of clothing like a denim jacket or t-shirt and turn it into a unique statement piece with studs, fabric paint, pins, patches and more.

This workshop and related screening of Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliche are part of Rip It Up, supported by Film Hub Scotland as part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), made possible by the National Lottery.

curated by Rowan Sharp

7 OCTOBER, 7pm-late | VOODOO ROOMS

Tired of their mundane jobs, five friends set out on a drug-fuelled weekend in Cardiff, hopping from pubs, clubs and parties. A cult classic of the ‘Cool Cymru’ era, Human Traffic is a charming social commentary about 90s rave culture and the alienation of a generation. An unapologetic exploration of youthful hedonism and rebellion, this is the debut film by 25 year old Welsh writer/director Justin Kerrigan. Celebrating music that shaped the generation, featuring Orbital, Underworld and Primal Scream, the film is also packed with numerous cameo performances as well as a young Danny Dyer in his debut feature. Recently restored in 4k courtesy of the BFI.

Following the screening, Cinetopia will be hosting an interactive exhibition, exploring Scottish nightlife across different generations. Reminiscing on beloved venues of the past that have embedded themselves in culture. Attendees of all ages are invited to share stories and engage in dialogue about the art of a good night out.

We wrap the night with a DJ session packed with 90s bangers and tunes inspired by the film. 

9 October, 6pm

FRENCH INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND

Cinetopia Salon and Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival present an evening of cinema and Flamenco.

A celebratory evening of Spanish Flamenco culture in person and on screen - a collaboration between Cinetopia Salon and Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival.

Includes a Flamenco performance from TuFlamenco, wine & tapas reception, and a screening of Carlos Saura's renowned film CARMEN.

Timetable:

18:00: Drinks & Tapas Reception
19:00: Live music TuFlamenco
19:30: Film screening of Carmen introduced by Amaya Bañuelos Marco

Antonio, director of a flamenco dance company, is preparing a stage version of Carmen, inspired by Mérimée’s novella and Bizet’s opera. When he finds the ideal lead performer, a young dancer who is also named Carmen, he begins an obsessive relationship with her that gradually mirrors the tragic story of the work itself. Desire, jealousy, and theatrical performance become intertwined until they lead the characters toward destruction.