Hyde Park Picture House is the latest in Leeds to show its support for the people of Ukraine.
The cinema will be donating ticket sales of a range of movies to the UNHCR Refugee Agency Emergency Appeal, which aids Ukrainians that are forced to flee their homes in search of shelter and safety.
Image: Hyde Park Picture House (HPPH)
The showings will highlight a selection of Soviet 60s movies alongside more contemporary films that feature Ukrainian talent or storylines, as well as raising money for the cause.
All movies will also be shown either as a socially distanced or reduced capacity showing. The first being a distanced screening of Wings on Sunday 20th March at 3.30pm inside Leeds University Union.
Wings. / Image: HPPH
The picture house had initially planned to host a Soviet 60’s screening season but decided in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this could no longer go ahead as planned.
Instead, they have revised the schedule and plan to donate all proceeds to help Ukrainian refugees in need.
Hyde Park Picture House explained that:
"This screening of Larisa Sheptiko‘s Wings was originally part of the Soviet 60's season, alongside three other Russian and Armenian-language films from the 1960s, in collaboration with Klassiki.
"In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this season is now no longer able to go ahead as planned. However, we have decided to go proceed with our screening of Wings, for two reasons. Firstly, Larisa Shepitko was a Ukrainian director, and her work is an important part of the cultural heritage of a country now under assault. And secondly, we've agreed with Klassiki to donate all the ticket sales to the UNHCR emergency appeal."
Olga. Image: HPPH
Olga, a movie about a young gymnast with Olympic-potential leaves Kyiv just as Ukraine experiences unprecedented political turmoil, will be shown at Leeds University Union on Sunday 3 April 2022 at 3.40pm with a reduced capacity.
The film follows the life of Olga, who is a distant bystander, as her mother, an investigative journalist, challenges a brutal regime. A subtle, tensely handled tale of exile reflecting the pressures on young athletes, the clash between the personal and the political, and Olga’s search for who she is and what she is prepared to sacrifice.
Meanwhile, We and Our Mountains, "one of the most storied of the USSR’s so-called “national” cinemas, which remains relatively unknown abroad" will be shown at 3.30pm the following weekend on Sunday 15 May 2022- another of the Soviet 60s season that was due to be shown but was cancelled in light of current events.
Hyde Park Picture House in its current scaffolded state is presented in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to show its support.
Britain's 20 biggest cities have been ranked, and Leeds has done pretty well.
Although, you wouldn't be able to tell judging by the overwhelmingly lacklustre description we've been given.
The listing comes from The Telegraph and ranks Britain's 20 biggest cities from worst to best, taking into account visitor appeal and where offers most to tourists.
Leeds comes in at a very respectable number 10, however judging from what they've said about our city you'd think we were much, much lower.
Kicking things off, the description reads: "There’s an untidy quality to Leeds, borne of a patchwork of periods in its built environment and the fact that a lot of regeneration is underway (cranes rise at every corner)."
Image: Unsplash
Yep, not off to a good start but it's only down hill from there as Leeds is then said to have a 'certain shapelessness'.
But perhaps the worst part is yet to come: "There are some ugly, run-down streets very close to the centre, and while the Headrow and other high streets have a fair number of shops, there’s no real boulevard or grand square.
"The most atmospheric spaces are Queens Arcade and perpendicular Cross Arcade, and Thornton’s Arcade; Grand Arcade is also Victorian but looks and feels less uplifting."
By the end it starts to get slightly more positive, emphases on 'slightly': "Leeds’ strongest points might be its small size and its north-central location; it’s easy to walk everywhere inside the city, and a short ride away are Ilkley, Skipton and the Dales."
Our visitor appeal gained a 6.5/10, beating Cardiff, Sheffield, Brighton and Nottingham.
Taking the top spot was Liverpool followed by Edinburgh, Belfast and Glasgow. Read the full ranking here.
An award-winning Sardinian restaurant made famous in Sheffield is now opening in Leeds
Clementine Hall
This family-run restaurant has chosen Leeds as their second location, and we're very glad they have.
Introducing Domo, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
They've been teasing a second site for some time now but finally the cat is firmly out of the bag as they've announced they'll be bringing Domo to Leeds.
But where might you ask? Well, none other than the scenic location of the Lockside overlooking the canal.
Slotting right in next to BAKE, they're going to be in very good company indeed.
Image: The Sheff
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Domo said: "So most of you guessed it right...it’s been a long time coming but Domo 2.0 is finally cooking.
"Here’s a little sneak peek at our week which we’ve mostly spent admiring the views and getting to know the new neighbours …. If you can guess where it is there’s a glass of bubbly on us next time we see you. To be continued ………"
That's all the information we have so far, but we'll keep you in the loop as and when we find out more.
We can't wait to have you here in Leeds Domo, but for now we'll pop round to Sheffield to get our Domo fix and we highly suggest you do too.
Sophie Smith -
17th March 2022 
