Kabhi Ritz Kabhie Palladium:
Coventry's Asian Cinema Scene 1940s-1980s

Coventry has a long tradition of Asian cinema and this project recorded the stories of this important but little-known aspect of local life. In early 2004 the project resulted in an exhibition based around a specially made film.

In the 1960s and 1970s many local cinemas were closing down. The Ritz in Foleshill and the Palladium in Hillfields were bought by members of Coventry's Asian community and transformed into thriving social centres. As well as showing the latest Indian films, they hosted cultural and sporting events and even political meetings.

The Museum developed the project jointly with Coventry-born academic Dr. Nirmal Puwar. We established partnerships with several local Asian organisations and collected lots of photographs, objects and memories from their members and other contacts. In telling us about the films, they helped the Herbert to understand the wider issues facing the Asian community in its early days.

The focus of the display was a film about Coventry's Asian cinema scene which featured video interviews with local people and classic film clips. A programme of supporting events included Bollywood film screenings and dance workshops. The exhibition was very popular and we hope to look at the subject again in the new history displays planned for the Herbert.

For a more detailed case study of the project, visit the Resources page.

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