Getty ImagesOscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has delighted a young film fan with a surprise call after hearing her story of having to travel 140-miles to find an accessible cinema.
Fourteen-year-old Eryn, who has been blind since birth, made the three-hour round-trip for a screening of The Magic Faraway Tree, a film adapted from Enid Blyton’s book series.
Eryn said the journey was necessary because the cinema was the only one her family could find offering audio description (AD) headsets.
Winslet, who voiced the audiobooks of The Magic Faraway Tree series, told the teenager she was “absolutely staggered” she had to travel so far.
NEAL STREET PRODUCTIONSEryn From Brookeborough in County Fermanagh, previously told BBC News NI she doesn’t visit the cinema often, as the nearby IMC in Enniskillen does not offer AD headsets.
Eryn has loved the Magical Faraway Tree book series for years and was excited to experience the film adaptation.
The nearest suitable cinema involved a 140-mile round trip.
BBC News NI made several attempts to contact IMC Cinemas but it did not respond.
Winslet read Eryn’s story and shared it with the film’s producer Dame Pippa Harris and screenwriter Simon Farnaby.
They arranged a video call with Eryn in which Dame Pippa told her they hope to “create a bit of momentum and make sure that cinemas everywhere have got AD versions of all the movies so that everyone can see them and enjoy them”.
‘I recognised Kate’s voice’
During the call, Eryn was introduced to a surprise guest – Winslet – and was almost left speechless.
“I recognised her voice from the outset but it was just such a shock,” she said.
Winslet voiced the audiobooks, which Eryn said she had listened to many times.
The actress said she was “thrilled” to speak to Eryn and “absolutely staggered” at the fact she had to travel so far to see the film.
“We want to be able to support you as much as we can in doing that. So hopefully we can be a part of that and helping you make that change,” Winslet told her.
“I think anything that makes these experiences inclusive as possible, that’s why we all make films.”
Calls for more audio description services
And Winslet’s humorous stories about her home life left Eryn surprised at how down to earth the Oscar winner is.
“I thought she would be in a mansion or something” she said laughing.
After the call Eryn shed tears of joy and hopes the support from the Hollywood star will help raise awareness of the need for audio description to be available in cinemas.
“Obviously, Kate Winslet is very famous so for her to back my campaign I’d like to hope that more people will take it seriously,” she said.
“She can spread this further than we can if she gets it out to the right people and to the right circles, then I’d like to just hope that this message will spread and that the cinemas will take notice.”
NEAL STREET PRODUCTIONSEryn said she loved the film, despite the travel, and was delighted to speak to the team behind it.
“They let me ask the questions and to learn more about the movie” said Eryn afterwards.
Ben Luxford, Director of UK Audiences at the British Film Institute, said: “We are passionate advocates of the need for cinemas to offer regular accessible screenings and we work with the film industry to create, promote and enhance the provision offered to audiences.
“Eryn’s story is a powerful reminder of the reality many audiences face in finding suitable screenings that meet their need, and we hope that the cinema industry will respond appropriately.”
‘I’m writing a part for you’
Bafta award-winning producer Dame Pippa told Eryn she was “so pleased that we were able to track you down and sort of apologise on behalf of the cinema industry”.
“This might put more pressure on the cinemas to make sure that no other kid has to travel quite as far as you did to see a film because it’s really terrible,” she told Eryn.
That sentiment was echoed by the screenwriter Farnaby who also appeared in the film.
Evanna Kirkpatrick“Thank you for taking an interest in it and for trying to help provide audio descriptions in the cinemas.”
And Eryn could even get a part in the sequel to The Magic Faraway Tree movie – which writer Farnaby revealed he is already working on.
“I was just working on it today, actually. I’m writing a part for you already!” he joked.
