The Cure

From the collection of

East Anglian Film Archive at the University of East Anglia

The East Anglian Film Archive, the UK's first regional film archive, offers a unique record of the East of England's social and cultural history. As part of the University of East Anglia, we continue to lead moving image heritage research and inspire audience participation through community projects and events. Our collections represent a broad range of amateur and professional creativity, from 1896 to the present day.

The Cure

East Anglian Film Archive at the University of East Anglia
1977-01-01
Sound
23m

Extra-terrestrial plantlife is discovered in the Welsh countryside causing mischief for scientist Dr Felix Ackerman, filmed in 1977.

Young filmmaker Jon Coley's imaginative tale of the bizarre – the discovery of alien plantlife in the Welsh countryside. Coley wrote, directed and provided the animations and special effects for this short film, episode four out of eight, making up the ‘Other Realms' series. Coley enlisted the help of his uncle Tommy (Lloyd) and cousin Andrew to play the farmer and son, with himself starring as the scientist.

Coley was greatly influenced by his Uncle Tommy who he remembers had a Eumig standard 8 camera and projector and would host film shows at family occasions. Coley showed great interest in this hobby from a very early age, marking the start of a life-long career in animation and filmmaking. Coley also took inspiration from the classic Universal horror movies of the 1920s, introduced to him by his grandmother who was a keen Boris Karloff fan. He also loved the work of fantasy animation pioneer Ray Harryhausen. In later years, Coley became great friends with Harryhausen, and the two would showcase work to each other.

Amateur Auteurs

Ever dreamed of shooting your own movie? These pre-digital cine-enthusiasts did - with all the passion and devotion of the true auteur.

These low- (or no-) budget creations reach beyond simple point-and-shoot, back-garden efforts towards something more ambitious and skilful, revealing their authors' passion for film and their often astonishing ingenuity with limited resources. No desktop editing software or digital special effects for these amateur auteurs. The films include fiction and documentary, competition prizewinners and private labours of love. They may be the work of cine-clubbers or individual enthusiasts. But they all show a devotion to filmmaking that far transcends hobbyism. So look out for the delightful handmade intertitles, table-top special effects and library soundtracks which decorate many of the quirky stories, ultra-local documentaries and painstakingly composed home movies featured here.