Film / News
Celebrating the life of film pioneer William Friese-Greene
When students can party again at Lola Lo on the Clifton Triangle, they should raise a glass to William Friese-Greene.
There is a plaque to moving picture pioneer Friese-Greene on the wall of the Queen’s Road club, for it was on this site where he served his apprenticeship as a photographer between 1869 and 1875.
To mark the centenary of his death, a year-long programme of activity celebrating Bristol’s film and moving image credentials has been revealed.
is needed now More than ever
Film 2021 will include film screenings, walking tours, photography exhibitions, talks and panel discussions, and a publication about the city’s cinema-going habits over the past 70 years.
A new poem will be specially written by the city poet, Caleb Parkin and special events will take place as part of Bristol Open Doors.
Footage of Bristol on film will be shown at sites across the city, with the programme of activity coordinated by the Festival of Ideas and Bristol City of Film.
William Friese-Greene’s plaque on Queen’s Road says that he was “the inventor of the moving picture camera” – photo: Martin Booth
The plaque is outside what is currently Lola Lo nightclub – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol Festival of Ideas director, Andrew Kelly, said: “For a long time, William Friese-Greene’s contribution to film had been dismissed.
“The centenary of his death is the perfect time to reassess his achievements as scholarship has revealed new material and Friese-Greene is now increasingly recognised as one of the pioneers of British cinema and a major figure in the early development of moving pictures.
“He was a fascinating individual who came from a working-class background into prominence in the world of science and he used that fame to promote the role of women in the field of photography, for example.”
Bristol City of Film’s Natalie Moore added: “What better way to mark the achievements of Bristol’s film and moving image sector today than by shining the spotlight on a pioneer of the past who devised ground-breaking developments in motion picture technology.
“The ripples of Friese-Green’s work were felt by the film industry in the UK and across the globe.
“With projects like the CAMERA motion capture innovation studio at The Bottle Yard now opening up possibilities of mo-cap technology to businesses, Bristol continues to break new ground today.”
“Bristol is a great film city with a rich history in cinema and vibrant innovative future with the moving image,” says Mark Cosgrove, Watershed cinema curator and the founder of Cinema Rediscovered.
“I’m looking forward to being able to welcome audiences back into Watershed and working with partners to bring new films and filmmaking talent from around the world to the city and explore the many strands of film culture through festivals like Cinema Rediscovered, Afrika Eye and Encounters.”
Destination Bristol head of tourism, Kathryn Davies, added: “The role of film heritage and film tourism are critical to the work of Destination Bristol.
“By celebrating this and developing new content to engage and inspire, Film 2021 will highlight the innovative work of Friese-Greene, the impact and legacy today.”
William Edward Green was born in 1855 in a house on College Street that used to stand behind the current City Hall, where a plaque remembers him as “the pioneer of cinematography” – photo: Martin Booth
Green won a four-year scholarship to QEH School, leaving on his 14th birthday. In 1874, he married a German woman, Helena Friese, adding her name (and an extra ‘e’) to his – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Science Museum Group © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
