by Cookie N Screen
If you are anything like me, when you watch a film you long to be in it. You long to live as one of the characters and inhabit the creations that visionary film-makers have made. Even if it is a horror or a thriller, there is something about the cinematic world that makes you want to sink into it. It’s a yearning and obsession and luckily we have Secret Cinema to appease us. The stellar company, as part of Future Cinema, are dedicated to giving their customers and audiences the best immersive experience. Recreating the sets and performing scenes from the film, Secret Cinema has become an iconic regular film event. The team are Past films have been included The Shawshank Redemption where they replicated a prison and The Grand Budapest Hotel where, well, you get the gist with that one.
If you are anything like me, when you watch a film you long to be in it. You long to live as one of the characters and inhabit the creations that visionary film-makers have made. Even if it is a horror or a thriller, there is something about the cinematic world that makes you want to sink into it. It’s a yearning and obsession and luckily we have Secret Cinema to appease us. The stellar company, as part of Future Cinema, are dedicated to giving their customers and audiences the best immersive experience. Recreating the sets and performing scenes from the film, Secret Cinema has become an iconic regular film event. The team are Past films have been included The Shawshank Redemption where they replicated a prison and The Grand Budapest Hotel where, well, you get the gist with that one.
The most popular movie to ever get the Secret Cinema treatment (and possibly darned a black spot on the former part of the experience name,) is this summer’s Back to the Future event. The first batch of tickets sold out within seconds, so much so you would've needed a Delorean to go back in time and get them. The demand became heavy, like Marty’s epitomes catch phrase, and they expanded it for another month. Thank goodness, because it meant that this plucky reported could go. And boy, gosh and gee whizz was it an experience for you not to miss (they’ve added new dates, of course).
I doubt anyone would need a synopsis of the time travelling eighties adventure film passes hands to new generations and children yearly. For those miniscule people that haven't seen the film, who I can only assume were sent back in time and were stuck there for the rest of their lives, Back to the Future centres on Marty McFly who spends much of his spare time hanging with mad scientist Doc Brown. When Marty discovers Doc has created a time machine out of a car, a series of events cause him to be sent back to the 1950’s. However, instead of trying to get back to the titular destination, Marty inadvertently stops his parents from ever meeting and must get their relationship back on track or else Marty, himself, will be erased.
So how on earth do you recreate all of this goodness, keeping the spirit of the film AND appeasing the audiences? Hell, how do I respond to this terrific event without giving a lot a way for those who still want to go? Let us not be specific then. The whole setting is a recreation of Hill Valley. The 50’s style shops, diners and schools were lit up with actors portraying their own unique characters as well as those specific to the movie including Strickland, Lou and Goldie who will gladly stop and talk to you in full American accent. The smaller lesser known characters willingly interact and host events with the guests (that are supposedly meant to come in character too.) The larger characters recreate scenes from the film that will thrill and excite you.
I doubt anyone would need a synopsis of the time travelling eighties adventure film passes hands to new generations and children yearly. For those miniscule people that haven't seen the film, who I can only assume were sent back in time and were stuck there for the rest of their lives, Back to the Future centres on Marty McFly who spends much of his spare time hanging with mad scientist Doc Brown. When Marty discovers Doc has created a time machine out of a car, a series of events cause him to be sent back to the 1950’s. However, instead of trying to get back to the titular destination, Marty inadvertently stops his parents from ever meeting and must get their relationship back on track or else Marty, himself, will be erased.
So how on earth do you recreate all of this goodness, keeping the spirit of the film AND appeasing the audiences? Hell, how do I respond to this terrific event without giving a lot a way for those who still want to go? Let us not be specific then. The whole setting is a recreation of Hill Valley. The 50’s style shops, diners and schools were lit up with actors portraying their own unique characters as well as those specific to the movie including Strickland, Lou and Goldie who will gladly stop and talk to you in full American accent. The smaller lesser known characters willingly interact and host events with the guests (that are supposedly meant to come in character too.) The larger characters recreate scenes from the film that will thrill and excite you.
Film teams Cookie, Jo and Alli with friend Anushka The part of the fun and celebrations is down to your effort. After all, Secret Cinema relies on your letting go of your normal routine (including your phones which is an extremely liberating experience) and dressing up in the time period attire. Going with a group of friends, you are not only encourage to do so, you are willing. The only people out of place were those few who came in modern clothing. Boring. The minute you curl, gel or rat your hair, place on a dress or suspenders and bowties, you are swept up in the costume. The atmosphere wouldn’t be half as electric if people weren’t jiving to the smooth music or whooping along to the best bits of the film. Gathering with cinephiles and utterly passionate people, the entire night was caught alive on the smiles of those “Earth Angels” truly immersing themselves in 1950 Hill Valley. You'll dance like nobody is watching because as long as you'e got spirit and you are enjoying yourself. It's such an invigorating experience and unmissable!
I’d rather not talk about the issues beforehand, with the cancel shows and delays because what lurks behind the scenes is now a moot point. And the only problem that people will be complaining about are the prices of food, drinks and souvenirs. However, a lot of that is normal festival prices which is exactly the feel the cinematic event captured. Not only was their passion behind the scenes with the production but the completely wonderful people who have spent their hard earned cash came away with a magical memory as enchanting as the dance under the sea.
If you see a Secret Cinema event and immediate grin at the film they are recreating, then I urge you to buy tickets because the experience is unlike any other and you’ll go away as exuberant and giddy as a child. It exceeds expectations and then some, bringing to life a much beloved film and expanded on your imagination. Secret Cinema hits every spot with pure delight.
Bravo Secret Cinema.
Now, can we have The Nightmare Before Christmas and a Moulin Rouge! event?
I’d rather not talk about the issues beforehand, with the cancel shows and delays because what lurks behind the scenes is now a moot point. And the only problem that people will be complaining about are the prices of food, drinks and souvenirs. However, a lot of that is normal festival prices which is exactly the feel the cinematic event captured. Not only was their passion behind the scenes with the production but the completely wonderful people who have spent their hard earned cash came away with a magical memory as enchanting as the dance under the sea.
If you see a Secret Cinema event and immediate grin at the film they are recreating, then I urge you to buy tickets because the experience is unlike any other and you’ll go away as exuberant and giddy as a child. It exceeds expectations and then some, bringing to life a much beloved film and expanded on your imagination. Secret Cinema hits every spot with pure delight.
Bravo Secret Cinema.
Now, can we have The Nightmare Before Christmas and a Moulin Rouge! event?
RSS Feed
