Published at 09:22, Friday, 24 February 2012

Movie star John Hurt joined the fight to save independent cinemas as he arrived in Keswick for the town’s 13th film festival.

John Hurt outside Keswick's Alhambra cinema

• Video: John Hurt on his career - and the importance of local cinema

Hurt, who visited Patterdale in the 1950s, has spent the last week exploring the area with his wife Anwen Rees Meyers and his dog Pilchard.

He said: “I used to come hiking here with my brother and in the last 60 years the area has not changed – I couldn’t say the same about the Namibian dessert.

“I remember camping and one of our tent poles was ripped up in a storm.”

Last night, Hurt, 72, attended the opening party at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick and was present for the northern premiere of In Love With Alma Cogan, which his wife produced and Hurt has a cameo in.

A number of films are being shown at the festival with Hurt in: In Love With Alma Cogan, Lou, Sailcloth, The Naked Civil Servant, An Englishman in New York and Melancholia.

In our exclusive 10-minute video interview, John Hurt talks about his career, gives advice to budding actors and the importance of keeping open local cinemas.

The full story can be read in today's edition of The Cumberland News.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk