- by Duncan Carson
- 9 November 2026
In my introduction to An Opinionated Guide to Film London I concluded that what “struck me most… is just how generous Londoners are in sharing their love and knowledge of film”. Duncan Carson epitomises that spirit, both in his work with the Independent Cinema Office and through the Waltham Forest Cinema Project.
Here he recalls some of his most memorable cinema-going experiences.
What’s your earliest memory of going to the cinema?
For someone who has spent their life working for independent cinemas, my first experiences in rural Fenland were all multiplexes, usually ‘exit into the car park’ Showcase Cinema in Peterborough. It was either there or the very sweet Merlin Cinema in Cromer (The Regal) where I saw The Little Mermaid. The feeling of the ship in a storm in the opening scenes was just so overwhelming, and I was imprinted on like a duckling.
What’s your most memorable experience at the cinema?
Poster for the UK release of Sin City
Cinema is the main way I experience the wider world, so there’s so many times I’ve been blown away, uplifted and soul lifted. But I will say the one that sticks in my mind is a full fight breaking out during Sin City at the barely lamented Odeon Camden. It was relatively shortly after the smoking ban came in and a fracas came to a head with one patron asking another to stub their fag out, the other tipping their drink over the adversary, then security being called as it descended into fisticuffs. I blame the rancid vibes the film gives off for chumming the water.
If you could only go to one current cinema for the rest of your life which one would it be?
We are absolutely spoiled in London and different cinemas have meant different things to me at different points to me in my life. Even within a 15-minute cycle from my house, I can get to the Rio, The Castle, the Barbican, and a little further to BFI Southbank.
Any one of these cinemas would be a jewel in the crown of another city on its own. I will say that if this absurdly rich landscape were eliminated, I would have to plump for The Garden Cinema. Their screens aren’t the biggest, but besides that, it’s an unparalleled combination of programming integrity and curiosity, brilliant cosy bar and decor, all while avoiding the institutional vibe you get in these kinds of spaces. It really warms my heart that after their rocky start (March 2020 opening anyone?), it’s been very embraced by cinema-goers. And it’s one of the few places in London I get a Cheers-style greeting from the staff.
Is there a cinema that’s now closed you’d love to bring back to life?
Talking About Trees (2019) – Suhaib Gasmelbari's documentary follows four friends' attempt to revive an old cinema in Sudan
I think at the moment you have to think about the cinemas that are in war zones. My wife is Sudanese and watching the documentary Talking About Trees really puts you in touch with the reality of what cinema being suppressed does to the soul of a country. But every time I see an improvised bed sheet screen in Gaza or elsewhere, it gives me hope that it’s hard to stamp out these spirits and the ending of Sullivan’s Travels (with the prisoners loving the cartoons) is still really relevant.
Do you have a favourite cinema outside of the UK?
Before Brexit I was really lucky to get to travel to cinemas in Europe a lot. The city with the most interesting cinema scene to me is Amsterdam, because there are so many neighbourhood cinemas and so many of them have bars that justify themselves even if you don’t see a film. But the jewel in the crown is the Pathé Tuschinski. I’ve never actually seen a film there – the programming is very mainstream – but the façade and lobby are trippy art nouveau masterpieces that are hard to argue with.
On Thursday 12 November I’ll be doing a talk about the history of London’s sex cinemas at Waltham Forest Cinema Project following a screening of Simone Barbès or Virtue. Consider it a preview of my upcoming Soho’s Lost Cinemas walking tour. Get your tickets here.
Further Exploration
- Waltham Forest Cinema Projectfind out more and see what's on
About Duncan
Duncan Carson is a cinema worker who lives in London. For over ten years he has worked at the Independent Cinema Office, a charity that supports independent cinemas across the UK, where he leads on their conferences, consultancy and distribution. He also runs Waltham Forest Cinema Project CIC, a community-focused project to bring a new cinema to Waltham Forest, one of the London boroughs with the least screens. He screens films monthly in Leytonstone, aiming to make new connections and show films local audiences wouldn’t have access to otherwise.
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