KESWICK's cinema has become one of the first in the UK to adopt 'game-changing' technology with the addition of subtitle glasses.
The Keswick Alhambra Cinema has been able to purchase two sets of WatchWord smart glasses which allows the cinema to provide an 'on-demand' service for caption users, enabling them to choose films based on their title rather than their time slot.
The £5,000 purchase has partly been covered from a legacy donation from the daughters of cinema patron, Geoffrey Hayes.
They are designed to be worn over normal glasses and alongside hearing aids and cochlear implant processors.
The captions appear on the glasses lens, rather than on the big screen, making it possible for the individual wearer to watch the film and read the captions using their own personalised device.
Cinema co-owner, Carol Rennie, said: "This is completely game-changing technology.
"I first trialled the headsets a year ago at an industry conference. We're one of the first cinemas in the UK to install the equipment, which is entirely due to Chinty and Sophie wanting to contribute something to the cinema in memory of their father.
"Geoff was a longstanding, loyal patron of the cinema, and stalwart member of the Keswick Film Club, and we are so very pleased and grateful that we'll be able to remember him through this amazing gift that will allow many, many more people to benefit from the joy of cinema," she said.
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Chinty, also a local café owner, said: "Sophie and I wanted to mark Dad's connection to the Alhambra.
"His increasing deafness in his latter years was very isolating.
"He was able to enjoy Keswick Film Club foreign language films right into the last year of his life, as they are always subtitled, and he was most appreciative of the subtitled mainstream films that the Alhambra did put on each week, but those screenings were limited in number, and not always at a convenient time.
"Now, dad's legacy will throw open the doors so that someone just needs to put on 'Geoff's glasses' to be able to watch virtually any film, at any time at our local cinema."
Chinty's gift is covering a full 50 per cent of the outlay.
The glasses have also been proven to be useful for non-native English speakers who enjoy the benefit of subtitled films.
Cinema staff are currently undergoing training in the use of the devices.
Anyone who wishes to familiarise themselves with the glasses is invited to visit at any quiet time to have a go in the foyer, and even the auditorium itself, to practice at tailoring their personal settings.
Those who wish to book the glasses to watch a film are invited to call the cinema on 017687 72195 or email info@keswickalhambra.co.uk to reserve a pair and check if the film they want to see has the requisite file structure.
The technology does rely on film distributors providing a 'Closed Caption' version of the film, and while this is now routinely provided for most films, it is not always available with more niche films from smaller distributors.
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