Ali Catterall

Writer & filmmaker

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

There was once an evil narcissist who rebuilt a machine in his own image, to make people angry & mad. And because fury is so addictive, they couldn't resist logging on, day after day, while the narcissist grew richer. And that's your bedtime story, kids. Back in the bunker we go.

[Mute @MuteUK]

Barry Adamson returns with the original score for SCALA!!!, the wild, defiant, and heart-breaking story of London’s notorious repertory cinema.

Out 16 January 2026, listen to ‘Scala Posters (Mondo Bongo)’ now.

https://t.co/kId80SP7Ed

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Notes on David Lynch, RIP.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

If we actually survive 2025, the discourse is still going to be flooded with so much shit, it's going to make the Augean stables look like Marie Kondo's living room.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

There was once an evil narcissist who rebuilt a machine in his own image, to make people angry & mad. And because fury is so addictive, they couldn't resist logging on, day after day, while the narcissist grew richer. And that's your bedtime story, kids. Back in the bunker we go.

[Seth Abramson @SethAbramson]

(📢) The meme to end all memes: the Top 100 reasons not to support Donald Trump... in one image.

I’m a NYT-bestselling Trump biographer, and this is the culmination of what I learned over a decade.

What do you think—any chance we could get this to 50K RETWEETS by Election Day?

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

The US appears to be walking into the open, salivating mouth of a wolf. I don't really understand anything anymore.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Just returned from our amazing US tour. And mainly I want to tell 13yr-old me, festering below the poverty line in a rotting squat without hot water, failing at school and being knocked about, "Kid: in 40 yrs you'll have your Hollywood film premiere. Hold on. And keep dreaming."

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

SCALA!!! had its Hollywood premiere last night 🎬

We'd like to thank our wonderful US distributor @SeverinFilms, the great people at @filmarchive, and the fabulous @am_cinematheque Los Feliz for hosting us, with such excellent sound and projection.

Next stop... the Big Apple!

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

I'm DELIGHTED to announce that SCALA!!! has been picked up by @SeverinFilms for US distribution, out on a lavish new package soon. Meanwhile, our US tour starts this Thurs at selected theatres...

During which I will *NOT* (for, I trust, obvious reasons) be wearing this Stetson.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

I'll admit I was, er, ambivalent about this new lot. I'm not a Centrist, I'm old-school lefty. And there are various things, big and little, I have problems with. But I take my hat off: they've hit the ground running. And they're doing it quietly, decently, and without fanfare.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Dreamt of @billybragg last night. (First time for everything.) In the dream, I wanted to tell him he could turn an epigram like few others, but was so starstruck, barely got a word out. Kicked myself too, that I never asked him if he ever went to the @scalacinema. Did you, Billy!

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Just been reminded of probably my proudest moment in journalism. Five years ago today. Questions were even asked about it by politicians.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

@Beeestonia @juliansheasport On the contrary, you are a born writer, and you have everything in your psychological, emotional and experiential toolkit to be a writer. And you are a brilliant writer.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Heartbroken for the family of Michael Mosley, whose work, alongside his wife Clare, saved countless lives. Through his guidance, in just four months I managed to reverse a disease, Type2, that kills millions every year. In an era sorely crying out for them, a true, selfless hero.

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

You won't remember this @shattenstone, but you commissioned my first-ever film piece (on the Wicker Man) when I was 28. I landed a book deal from @i_am_mill_i_am on the strength of it. It led me to become a film writer for 20 yrs, and now a film director (SCALA!!!). So thank you.

[Craig Minett @CraigMinett]

I watched the Scala!!! film last night at @borderlines and I loved it, I was too young to visit before it closed, but I was able to experience the electric atmosphere with this superbly made documentary. I couldn't resist picking up the Blu-ray this morning. @scalacinema

[BFI @BFI]

Misfits Assemble: A glorious tribute to a notorious picture palace. Mark Kermode applauds the brilliant SCALA!!! #BFIPlayer

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Just found out that the surviving half of Throbbing Gristle, Cosey Fanni Tutti & Chris Carter, saw @scalacinema recently and loved it, which is mindblowing.
Can only wonder what Genesis P would have made of it, but too nervous to contact him on international calls via Ouija board

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

A taster of our chat for @BFI player (filmed while I was unsuspectingly riddled with Covid), discussing the @scalacinema and some of the movies that showed there, as part of BFI player's specially themed #SCALA!!! season. Here's a link to the whole thing:
https://t.co/xiRsYLBagz

[Ali Catterall @AliCatterall]

Now with video: lovely plug for our @scalacinema movie from the ace @OhGodWhatNowPod, which has just celebrated its 500th episode. Here's to 500 more.