Cine Wide Shut

And so this week the carcass that was Withington's Cine City has all but entered the earth from whence it came, and 'history heaven' awaits here.

The last film I saw here was also Stanley Kubrick's last film – Eye's Wide Shut.

It's been mentioned before that the place was an absolute eyesore during it's last few years.  It perhaps could've been demolished a few years back but that's not how these things work.  They're sat on until a time when words such as 'profit' 'maximum' and 'timing' squeeze themselves free from somebody's vocal system.

Sadly this would never again show images progressed at 25 frames per second into our cranial illusory systems.  But times change.  I can confirm that already this part of Withington has been lifted somewhat.  It's as though the dirty, rude and outdated elephant sat in the room turned out to be a helium balloon purporting to be real and some kid with the vitality of a summer salad has popped it with his mini Swiss army knife.

Poof – its gone for ever.  Yes, already the street scape and indeed skyline (such was the size of the old cinema in comparison at least to the rest of the village) has altered dramatically.

An apartment block is set to land on the footprint of Cine City, although given the fact there's a lack of agreement on what exactly the final design should be and given the slightly salty economic environment, it might be a while before some rises from the flames of the film reels.

I must admit I was taken aback a little when I saw it's current, shorn of life state.  Others where to seemingly, all stopping to look at and photograph the last remaining piece of the building.

I hope that whatever eventually takes its place is worthy of inclusion in the village.  A fancy piece of well concieved architecture wouldn't go amiss....here's hoping for the village's new dawn.