For this week’s On Your Radar feature, we caught up with Arabella Peterson to discuss all things cinema and film. She shared her favourite spots to catch a movie, along with the upcoming films she's most excited about.
Could you tell us a little bit more about you?
I’m Arabella – I’m a writer, and I also dabble in film curation. I moved to London from Sydney in 2019, unwittingly just six months before lockdown, so I’ve really been through it in this city!
I've always been passionate about film, with a particular interest in the horror genre. In Sydney, I was the editor and co-founder of a platform for women and non-binary folk in the arts; there, I profiled and highlighted creatives working in different elements of the film industry, including actors, directors, screenwriters and cinematographers. Since then, I've written film criticism and reviews for publications in Australia and the UK. I curated film events at the Sydney boutique cinema, Golden Age, and in London, I've collaborated on screenings with Girls in Film. A few of the other film projects I've worked on are hosting film-themed trivia nights and, inexplicably, co-hosting a short-lived podcast about the filmography of Adam Sandler.
What has your experience been like within London’s creative community?
I find the creative scene here really welcoming and humble. There are so many talented people doing incredible things that it’s hard for anyone to get too big for their boots. Getting to the top of your game in London takes time, persistence, and a lot of hard work, which I think actually fosters a supportive, collaborative environment. People seem genuinely willing to help each other out, even across different creative industries. It’s super competitive, but there’s also so much opportunity that I feel like there’s less of a scarcity mindset.
In Australia, we have something known as 'tall poppy syndrome,' where people who stand out or achieve success are often cut down by others to prevent anyone from rising too far above their ranks. Coming to London, it was refreshing to experience a creative community that celebrates ambition and encourages others to thrive.
This is not to say, of course, that there aren’t issues in the creative industry here, especially around race and class, but in many ways, there’s a sense of collaboration and community here that can sometimes be lacking elsewhere.
What’s your favourite cinema – and where’s the perfect nearby spot for a bite or a drink afterwards?
There are so many beautiful cinemas in London, but a few of my favourites are Rio in Dalston, The Castle in Homerton and Genesis in Whitechapel.
Rio is one of London’s oldest independent cinemas, a beautifully preserved art-deco theatre with a single screen that hosts indie releases and cult classics, and supports local filmmakers with special Q&A events. Drop into Dan’s Wine Bar or Brilliant Corners for a drink afterwards.
Top right picture: Rio Cinema | Top left picture: Brilliant Corners via their Instagram | Bottom picture: Dan's Wine Bar via their Instagram
The Castle is a cosy boutique theatre that was restored in 2016 to its early-1900s grandeur. I’d recommend sticking around for a drink at the cinema bar or heading to The Spread Eagle for a vegan pub classic.
Top & bottom left picture: The Castle Cinema via their website | Bottom picture: The Spread Eagle via their Instagram
Genesis may not have the same quaint charm as the smaller theatres, but I love its inclusive, community-focused vibe. Last Halloween, I hosted an event there with Girls in Film, screening five horror shorts. I’m also a fan of Token Homo’s Bar Trash series, where they showcase cult and B-grade films in the bar. If you’re up for a 15-minute walk afterwards, Tayyabs is an incredible Pakistani restaurant that’s totally worth the trip.
Left picture: Genesis Cinema | Right picture: Tayyabs via their Instagram
Which films are on your radar for the coming weeks?
There are a few films premiering at the London Film Festival that I’m really keen to see.
Sadie Frost has made a biographical documentary about 1960s icon Twiggy which taps into my London-centric sensibilities and love for cultural icons of that era.
Meagher / Getty Images
Another film I’m eager to watch is Kimberly Reed’s investigative documentary, I'm Your Venus, which delves into the tragic murder of Paris Is Burning star Venus Xtravaganza. Paris Is Burning is such a seminal work, and I love that Venus’ story is being given the attention it deserves, ensuring her memory lives on.
I’m a horror nerd, so I’m very excited about the offerings at London Film Festival this year, and I’m even more thrilled that the films on my list are directed by women! I’m looking forward to Nightbitch, a horror-comedy grounded in magical realism starring Amy Adams and directed by Marielle Heller and Fréwaka, an Irish-language folk-horror from Aislinn Clarke.
There are also some experimental films I'd love to see. Alexandre O. Philippe has marked the 50th anniversary of cult horror The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (one of my all-time favourites) with Chain Reaction, an exploration of the film through the eyes of filmmakers, writers and fans.
Also, Nicolas Cage is starring in an Australian-set psychological thriller, The Surfer, that has so many elements I'm drawn to: trippy Antipodean New Wave cinema, explorations of toxic masculinity in a suburban Australian setting, and the icon that is Nicolas Kim Coppola.
Which creative collectives in London would you recommend keeping an eye on?
Girls in Film! It’s a UK-based organisation that supports, connects, and champions the next generation of female, non-binary and trans filmmakers. GiF provides a platform for emerging creatives in the film industry by offering visibility, resources, and networking opportunities for those working across all aspects of film production. I’ve discovered so many amazing films and talented creatives through GiF.
Girls in Films at Shoredicth Arts Club
London film club Kino Club is a space for movie aficionados, cinephiles, and beyond. I went to a supper club they run last month with Klassiki which presented Eastern European food and animation, it was great!️
I also think ESEA Sisters is a wonderful collective. It provides support, empowerment, and a safe space for women, trans, non-binary, and genderqueer people of East and Southeast Asian heritage. They hold lots of events just for the ESEA Sisters community, but also host public workshops, panels, screenings, talks and creative events that celebrate East and Southeast Asian culture(s).
Are there any other projects you're working on that you'd like to share with us?
During lockdown, my friend Lilith Hardie-Lupica and I (along with the rest of the world) were feeling anxious about the future. We decided to channel this into a weekly career(ish) newsletter called The Foreword where we explore different aspects of life and work, usually with advice and perspective from a guest. You can sign up here.
