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
A home away from home
"I remember the first film I went to see after lockdown was Nomadland in Screen 1. I had a moment in the middle of the film where I just looked around the cinema and felt so overwhelmed at the experience of getting to sit in a dark space and get lost in a beautiful story with a bunch of strangers.
The next film I saw was The World’s a Little Blurry in Screen 3, with only one other person in attendance. The film is a beautiful and emotional music documentary and I remember cuddling up with my scarf as a blanket and just feeling so utterly and completely at HOME once again. The Belmont really was magical."
Jules
Supporting the Arts
"Apart from my regular attendance at the cinema as a member of the audience, back in 2002, working with The Belmont's genial Education Officer and pupils from Harlaw Academy, we won one of the first Scottish Teaching Awards (New Ideas in Education). The school students learned how to make films (difficult enough) and also the complicated process of film-editing (even more difficult). They were far better at it than I was - and am! The pupils were taking part in an arts-based programme intended to improve their attendance, behaviour and self esteem. Imagine their surprise when we took them down to Glasgow to receive the award. They met such luminaries as Jack McConnell, Alex Ferguson, Ewan McGregor's mum, Elaine C Smith and Karen Dunbar. The whole experience was encouraging, positive - and hilarious. Try travelling back from Glasgow to Aberdeen in a mini-van with two adults, eight children and seventy inflated balloons! The pupils and I will always be grateful for the kindness, skill and good humour displayed by staff at The Belmont. It was a unique and life-changing experience."
Tina R Stockman
Met Opera
"I have the lovely Belmont to thank for introducing me to opera. In 2010 I saw ‘Nixon in China’ screened from the Met in New York. My parents took me along and before then I had no interest. After my experience at the Belmont I fell in love with opera, have seen loads since and it’s brought me so much joy. Thank you Belmont!"
Rachel Murphy
Rare cinema
"Always enjoyed going to the Belmont with either friends or family. The staff were always friendly and welcoming.
We especially enjoyed over the years the showings of theatre shows that would never come to Aberdeen. Especially the NT Live showings or the ballets.
One of our best memories was seeing Home Alone on the big screen at Christmas. It was great to see so many different generations watching a great movie!
I hope this reopens soon!"
Siobhan