The Exploding Cinema was founded at the Cooltan Arts Centre, a squatted suntan lotion factory in Brixton, South London in 1991.[1] The Cooltan was an underground arts complex with a theatre, gallery, practical workshops and regular raves. The original group was mostly film makers and the earliest shows were made up of their own films and performances.[4]
From the early 1990s onwards, the collective became the key agent in the resurgence of underground cinema in Britain.[5] Through screenings, events, agitation and propaganda they developed and inspired a new popular movement of independent live cinema and D.I.Y. filmmaking.[6] Over twenty five years the group has screened thousands of unfunded no-budget films/videos in pubs, squats, clubs, microcinemas and cafes. They staged one-off shows in disused factories, ships, museums, car parks, roofs, a circus tent and an outdoor swimming pool.[7] Internationally they have staged shows in Ireland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malta, North America and Australia.[8]
An offshoot of the group operated in Amsterdam.[9]