Your
Belmont
Memories
Spoons
"I had seen the film The Disaster Artist at the Belmont and enjoyed it. Typical of the majority of films I went to see at the Belmont the audience was small. So when the opportunity arose to see the film that inspired The Disaster Artist and there were only a limited number of screenings I felt I had to go and see it. I usually aimed to arrive 20 minutes after the official start time so as to avoid the adverts. This has rarely been a problem.
On this occasion I was a little bit earlier than this and was stunned to see people queuing up outside. "What is going on?", I am thinking. "Why are so many people interested in a film of limited appeal?" I get to the ticket desk and I am lucky to get one of the last remaining seats in the front row of the large Screen 1. I prefer to sit near the back so as not to strain my neck and go swivel-eyed trying to take in a large screen close up. I was invited to take some plastic cutlery on the counter. "What is this for I asked?". "It is part of the film." was the reply with an enigmatic smile.
Sure enough Screen 1 was packed out. The film starts and a little way in the people behind me shout "Spoons" and I am showered in plastic cutlery . This happened at key points during the film. Also the audience shouted out phrases at certain repeated phrases or camera shots. The audience clearly knew this obscure film very well. Never in my 50 years of cinema going have I encountered such an immersive experience. Well done to the Belmont.
The film, in case you want to look out for it, is "The Room" by Tommy Wiseau. A film that has to be seen in a cinema.
Bruce Taylor
Share Your Memory
Spoons
"I had seen the film The Disaster Artist at the Belmont and enjoyed it. Typical of the majority of films I went to see at the Belmont the audience was small. So when the opportunity arose to see the film that inspired The Disaster Artist and there were only a limited number of screenings I felt I had to go and see it. I usually aimed to arrive 20 minutes after the official start time so as to avoid the adverts. This has rarely been a problem.
On this occasion I was a little bit earlier than this and was stunned to see people queuing up outside. "What is going on?", I am thinking. "Why are so many people interested in a film of limited appeal?" I get to the ticket desk and I am lucky to get one of the last remaining seats in the front row of the large Screen 1. I prefer to sit near the back so as not to strain my neck and go swivel-eyed trying to take in a large screen close up. I was invited to take some plastic cutlery on the counter. "What is this for I asked?". "It is part of the film." was the reply with an enigmatic smile.
Sure enough Screen 1 was packed out. The film starts and a little way in the people behind me shout "Spoons" and I am showered in plastic cutlery . This happened at key points during the film. Also the audience shouted out phrases at certain repeated phrases or camera shots. The audience clearly knew this obscure film very well. Never in my 50 years of cinema going have I encountered such an immersive experience. Well done to the Belmont.
The film, in case you want to look out for it, is "The Room" by Tommy Wiseau. A film that has to be seen in a cinema.
Bruce Taylor
Free Solo
"I’ve been climbing pretty much all my life. When ‘Free Solo’ with Alex Honnold came out, watching it at the Belmont was the first time I’d seen my sport on the big screen. It was not yet even in the Olympics. No other cinema cared to show films like these - but the Belmont did."
Agne
Not just a cinema...
"I owe so much to the Belmont. Apart from seeing SO many incredible films, I ran a few sound art events there as part of my PhD - we had AV installations and live performances in the bar as well as screenings. The support from the staff was invaluable. The opportunities that the Belmont gave me to share my work at a fairly formative stage in my career had a huge and lasting impact on me. My best wishes goes out to all the staff!"
Ross Whyte
The Great Escape
Had my 50th birthday there with a screening of The Great Escape with 50 plus friends.
Pure magic.
Dave Walker
Premiere and Kino Bar
"I remember vividly premiering my BFI film Hector at the Belmont in 2019, it was a brilliant event that was very personal to myself. Over the years I've attended many of the incredible and unique Kino Bar screenings that I loved dearly with all my heart. I attended the last even one at Tucker and Dale Vs Evil and I still have my ticket for Starship Troopers :( hopefully one day I can sit in that Kino Bar again and watch a classic."
Glen Christie