Dear Editor:
RE: Gorge Cinema in danger of closing; hopes to work with arts centre to open new venue, Oct. 1.
First off, many thanks to the Wellington Advertiser and everyone who has supported the cinema through these trying times. Without community support, ye ole’ cinema would have rolled over and died a couple of months back, so “thank you” hardly sums up my gratitude. What a wonderful community we all inhabit! I do have an addendum for the article, which I now humbly submit: I don’t consider the cinema as “my baby.” In fact, I look at myself as its steward or custodian. My affection for the cinema is truly indescribable, but the building is 170 years old, and the cinema itself has clocked in more years than I’ve been walking the earth.
Secondly, I have to say that running the cinema was never my “dream job”. In fact, my dream job was to be a pirate. But unfortunately I reached an age and the realization that sailing the seas, patch over eye, robbing the rich of their gold with saber in hand was not a viable career option.
So I shifted to visual effects in film. This is where my love for the Gorge Cinema took hold. If it weren’t for this wonderful little cinema, I’d never have become such a cinephile and in turn pursued a career in visual effects/animation.
This is the career I put aside to take over the Gorge Cinema. Not for personal gain, but to give something back to such a wonderful community and institution that fostered my love of film and provided me with a non pirate-related direction in life.
In my opinion this community would suffer a great loss if the cinema were to close its doors. So, to all those who have downloaded films, generously donated money, enjoyed a classic title since we’ve reopened, or purchased screen printed goods, I sincerely thank you for your help.
Payton Curtis,
Elora
