Kino Train

In the years following the Russian Revolution, ‘agit trains’ were an important tool for spreading the Bolshevik gospel to workers across the land. Brightly decorated with rousing propaganda, their carriages functioned as printing presses, libraries and cinemas – the latter enabling many rural Russians to encounter film for the first time.

We’ve always dreamt of taking to the rails with a mobile film unit, and our Kino Train is definitely a step in the right direction. For four days during Flatpack 11 you can find us camped out on the main concourse at New Street Station, offering bite-sized chunks of cultural nourishment to the busy throng. The programme will include:

Colour Box

Globe-trotting selection of family shorts, including highlights from this year’s Colour Box and some greatest hits from past festivals.

A Taste of Flatpack

If you’re trying to work out what to go and see at Flatpack 11, this lucky dip of shorts and trailers might come in useful.

The Iron Road

Compendium of archive railway footage including the thrilling Let’s Go To Birmingham (1962), which will take you from Paddington to Snow Hill in under 6 minutes.

Each programme lasts roughly 30 minutes, and will rotate throughout the day. With thanks to Network Rail and MJM Bespoke Fabrications.

Lantern slide images by Henry Sara, courtesy Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick.