Surrey Border Film and Video Makers press report for October 2008

There was an excellent turnout for this very special August meeting of Surrey Border Film & Video Makers: the trial of a new venue, St Joan's Hall near Farnham Station. Members were delighted with the light, airy and ultra-modern hall with a built-in projector and screen, efficient blackout blinds, a built-in sound system and all other mod cons to match. 

For comparison purposes, the club brought along its own equipment to try alongside what was provided.

The first film we saw was the most memorable and remarkable for many a year. It was about the experiences of the filmmaker when diagnosed with lung cancer. In a dedication to filmmaking far beyond anything most of us could achieve, he kept a detailed video diary of every aspect of this potentially fatal ordeal. The tale started with a video of him pleased with himself for having given up smoking. Only a few weeks later came the dreaded cancer diagnosis, visits to see the consultant and MRI scans, all faithfully filmed. With the full cooperation of the hospital and the help of a fellow film-maker, the film even included views of the operation to remove the growth from his lung. His wife's tearful scenes was not even spared when, half-way through the operation, the news came that the whole lung had to be removed rather than just a part. Chemo therapy and all its side effects of hair loss and feeling completely rotten were all there in a film that would make even the most dedicated smoker give up immediately. Brilliant photography and editing made this a truly remarkable film, and it is good to be able to report that the patient came through it all and is still alive today!

A number of other films were shown during the evening but they all paled into insignificance compared with this one.

At the end of the evening the unanimous vote was to continue in this magnificent location for all our future club meetings. The club now has a standing booking for the first Friday of every month.