THE HOBBIT star Martin Freeman will open a huge new cinema in Lewes tonight.
The Depot on Pinwell Road has three screens including an 140-seat auditorium, a second screen with 3D capacity and a boutique screen with a separate bar. Also on the premises are a large foyer, a cafe, a film education room and an editing suite.
Co-founders Robert Senior and Carmen Slijpen purchased the land from Harvey's Brewery, with a team of architects working to bring the vision to life. The process cost £8 million overall.
Freeman's brothers live in Lewes and the actor, who is also known for his roles in The Office, Sherlock and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, was keen to support a local project.
On Friday stage and film actor Mark Rylance will be in Lewes to launch The Depot's community and education strategy. The invite-only event will be attended by 200 Lewes residents.
Robert Senior, chair of the trustees at the cinema, said: "The programme will include an inclusive mix of movies with an emphasis on quality. Die Hard was good so we would show it. Die Hard 2 is not so we wouldn’t.
"We will show art movies, films for young and old, films about gender, ethnicity, sex and politics. Horror movies, thrillers and westerns. Great famous directors and obscure up and coming talent. Local film makers and Arab movies. You name it. Plus a film education programme, festivals, workshops, guest stars, Q & A sessions."
For more information visit: lewesdepot.org
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