A UNIQUE POP-UP CINEMA EXPERIENCE FOR 2023 AT BUTSER ANCIENT FARM

Butser’s series of film showings in an ancient roundhouse bring a whole new cinema experience to the South Downs for Summer 2023.

Waterlooville, Hampshire, Tuesday 27^th June 2023 - Butser Ancient Farm is hosting two pop-up cinema weekends this year where people will be able to have an incredible cinema experience in the most unusual surroundings. Butser will be screening six films over the course of two weekends in what promises to be a most magical cinematic experience. The first weekend of film takeovers will span Friday 25^th, Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th August this year. The second pop-up cinema weekend will have film screenings on Friday 20^th, Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd October.

Butser has already announced the films for the first weekend of showings. The pop-up cinema opens on Friday 25^th August with a screening of The Nettle Dress (2022). This enchanting, slow paced film follows textile artist Allan Brown as he spends seven years making a dress by hand just from the fibre of locally foraged stinging nettles. A modern-day fairytale and hymn to the healing power of nature and slow craft. The feature documentary by BAFTA Nominee Dylan Howitt is woven by tragedy, magic and love. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Allan himself.

On the evening of Saturday 26^th August, Butser is screening Beowulf (2007), a cinematic adaptation of the ancient epic poem described by critics as ‘pure cinematic entertainment’. In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, Beowulf. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle throughout the ages, immortalizing the name Beowulf.

The first pop-up cinema weekend wraps on Sunday 27^th August with a family favourite that was filmed at the farm! Butser will be showing Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (2019) in an immersive event complete with a rag-tag band of rotten Romans and Cut-throat Celts providing added entertainment and insight into ancient life. Atti, a smart and quick-witted Roman teenager, manages to upset Emperor Nero with one of his schemes. For punishment, Atti is sent to work in a cold and wet Britain where he also meets the Celts. Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase and you’ll be able to explore the farm and film-set after hours. Dressing up is very much encouraged!

All three evenings offer a unique chance to visit the farm after hours and watch stunning films in amazing surroundings. There will be a bar selling locally produced mead, cider and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Come and see Butser’s largest ancient roundhouse transformed into an impressive cinema for the evening, complete with commercial grade visuals and high-quality surround sound with Dolby® Digital to bring every movie scene to life.

Kristin Devey, Events coordinator at Butser Ancient Farm said:

“We are delighted to be able offer such a unique pop-up cinema experience to the local communities. We have chosen films for their entertainment value as well as a connection the farm itself. It’s truly amazing to see our ancient spaces transformed into a brilliant cinematic experience.”

Notes to editors

Contact: Kristin Devey, kristin@butserancientfarm.co.uk, +44 (0)23 9259 8838

About: Butser Ancient Farm is a unique experimental archaeology site nestled into the rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park. For 50 years it has pioneered a hands-on practical approach to understanding life in the ancient past through experimentation and reconstruction.

Butser Ancient Farm welcomes thousands of visitors and education groups to the farm each year to explore its timeline of structures from the Stone Age, Iron Age, Bronze Age, Roman and Saxon periods, as well as discovering crops from pre-history and meeting rare-breed animals such as Manx Loaghtan sheep and English goats. More about the farm can be found at www.butserancientfarm.co.uk