Ben Garfield is a live-in property guardian for the former poly (and future cinema) on the corner of Kentish Town and Prince of Wales roads. Growing up in Gospel Oak, he first developed a taste for film while making a short as part of an A-Level Media Studies assignment. His work has since been screened at cinemas including the National Film Theatre and The IMAX, as well as recognised for awards by Sundance, Virgin Media and Time Out.
When were you happiest?
My current living situation, for sure, in the old Pizza Express building with two mates. We found out about the place after a phone call with property agency Guardians of London. They told me that they’d just taken the building on and I said 100% we wanted it. An open day attracted about sixty potential suitors, though luckily they went with us. We pay low-rate rent to stay here, though the catch is that there’s no fixed term contract – they can give us our notice any time.
What’s it like living in such an iconic space?
It was quite overwhelming taking it on at first: it’s so big and obviously not designed to be a residence. And the interior remains from when it was a Pizza Express, except the pizza oven is gone. We do have a Dyson Airblade hand-dryer though, and a walk-in fridge and freezer, all in working order. We’ve put the lockers from the old locker room in the fridge to give ourselves compartments to store food.
So it’s homely?
Three months in now it’s starting to feel like home. We’ve divided off the different areas for bedrooms (there are some actual rooms, luckily) and the downstairs is a huge communal area. I work from the building most days as I’m a freelance film-maker. I have my “office” on one of the mezzanine balconies.
What is your favourite sound?
I’ll tell you my least favourites: the sounds this building makes at night. So many creeks and moans. The ghost of Sloppy Giuseppe, no doubt.
What is your greatest life achievement?
I’m proud to be to be able to do what I love for a living. I worked in a variety of different jobs while making films on the side before I was able to make the jump to become a freelancer. I mostly shoot promotional shorts for charities and small businesses and have worked on some really enjoyable projects.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To work hard at something you’re passionate about. Enthusiasm is infectious.
What is your earliest memory round here?
I have many early memories of the Heath: playing football with my friends after school, walking my dog. I guess that’s why I made my first film there, Benches (inspired by Kentishtowner founder Stephen Emms’ stories on park benches).
What makes you unhappy?
That I’m probably not going to live in a place as cool as this one ever again. And we’ll likely be packing our bags before long.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
A ping-pong table for the downstairs space. We’ve got a few leads at the moment that we’re working on.
What is your most unappealing habit?
I’m quite a slow operator, which can be frustrating for those around me. I like to contemplate the pros and cons of things. It takes me ages to go shopping.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Matinee weekday film screenings. Everyone in that cinema knows they’re not supposed to be there.
Photo: Stephen Emms
Where do you hang out?
There are loads of local places I love. The Heath and Primrose Hill, the Southampton Arms and the Pineapple. We do spend a lot of time at ours though – our roof is a good place to hang out, and we’ve got a projector set-up with a screen downstairs.
What’s been your best experience in the area?
Last week we bought takeaway 2-for-1 pizzas from Pizza Express on Orange Wednesday and ate them back to ours, where we watched a movie through our projector. This was the day after the planning permission had been approved for the new cinema, so honouring the old and new.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My hair grows weirdly.
Tell us a secret.
People used to call me by my initials BJ while I was growing up (my middle name is Jonathan). There came a point during adolescence though when I decided Ben would be easier.
What is your favourite dish and why?
American hot. I think because I associate it with going to football matches when I was younger. I’ve had a season ticket at Chelsea with my dad and brother for the past 15 years and, when I was younger, we used to visit Pizza Express on the Fulham Road before every game.
What did you do today?
I’ve been doing prep work for my new short film. We’re crowdfunding for it at the moment and are looking for all the support we can muster. The film is called the Macaron Man and is a mockumentary about a chef’s desperate attempts to get his business off the ground.
For more info on Ben visit his website.
