Secret Cinema
- weirdfilms33
- The Sixth Sense
- Posts: 1433
- Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:09 pm
- Old post count: 0
- Preferred Cinemas: Anything in central or South London
- Contact:
Secret Cinema
It surprises me somewhat to find that there have been relatively few posts about Secret Cinema on this forum - although of course the prices are about as far from free as you can get! For those who don't know, it's a mysterious organisation that exhibits films accompanied by live actors, set design, even food directly related to the world of the film. I was one of those who was lucky enough to attend their production of Back to the Future on one of the dates that wasn't cancelled, and I was understandably nervous about whether or not the whole thing would work.
I must say that within minutes I was convinced that the entire venture was a success. There is real precision and artistic care in the crafting of the 1950s setting, from the old-fashioned high school with its iconic lockers to the suburban homes with comics and books from the period. It's really the actors, however, who make the event so thrilling; a surprising likeness of Doc Brown runs around doing strange experiments, and other small-town people entreat you to enter their shops and to speak about local concerns, whether it be the strange boy dressed in a life preserver (you have to know the film), or international communism. There's even a completely hidden room. It is really, really, really well done. If you're willing to turn your eyes away from the buildings that remind you that you're actually in Hackney, you can, seriously, feel that you're in a completely different place in a completely different decade.
My advice to anyone considering going is that you should DEFINITELY GO! It was by far one of the greatest cinematic experiences of my life, and I've been to a fair few rambunctious all-nighters. There are still tickets left, and it's really worth putting an effort into costume and so forth!
I wrote a blog about the event, though it spoils some of the secrets - probably only worth reading if you definitely don't plan on going! http://jacobthehobnob.wordpress.com/201 ... he-future/
Again, such a relief to know that they've finally succeeded in pulling off the show after such a backlash on social media!
I must say that within minutes I was convinced that the entire venture was a success. There is real precision and artistic care in the crafting of the 1950s setting, from the old-fashioned high school with its iconic lockers to the suburban homes with comics and books from the period. It's really the actors, however, who make the event so thrilling; a surprising likeness of Doc Brown runs around doing strange experiments, and other small-town people entreat you to enter their shops and to speak about local concerns, whether it be the strange boy dressed in a life preserver (you have to know the film), or international communism. There's even a completely hidden room. It is really, really, really well done. If you're willing to turn your eyes away from the buildings that remind you that you're actually in Hackney, you can, seriously, feel that you're in a completely different place in a completely different decade.
My advice to anyone considering going is that you should DEFINITELY GO! It was by far one of the greatest cinematic experiences of my life, and I've been to a fair few rambunctious all-nighters. There are still tickets left, and it's really worth putting an effort into costume and so forth!
I wrote a blog about the event, though it spoils some of the secrets - probably only worth reading if you definitely don't plan on going! http://jacobthehobnob.wordpress.com/201 ... he-future/
Again, such a relief to know that they've finally succeeded in pulling off the show after such a backlash on social media!
Go ahead, make my day - by visiting my blog: http://jacobthehobnob.wordpress.com/
Member number 33 of the "100 free films in 2012" club. I saw 32, which is rather delightful.. I beat Mr. Glass on free films but he narrowly inched me out on total films seen.
Member number 33 of the "100 free films in 2011" club. I saw 20, interestingly enough. My more realistic target was to see more free films than TheyCallMeMrGlass. I lost.
Member number 33 of the "100 free films in 2012" club. I saw 32, which is rather delightful.. I beat Mr. Glass on free films but he narrowly inched me out on total films seen.
Member number 33 of the "100 free films in 2011" club. I saw 20, interestingly enough. My more realistic target was to see more free films than TheyCallMeMrGlass. I lost.
Re: Secret Cinema
I'm interested but I really can't be bothered dressing up to watch an old movie, thanks for the blog though please attend all future events so I can watch vicariously.
- claire
- The Sixth Sense
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:48 pm
- Old post count: 0
- Preferred Cinemas: westfieldlondon /shepherds bush / hammersmith/ wandsworth/whitleys/ west end / wimbledon
- Location: West london
Re: Secret Cinema
I went to secret cinema in march.
I was very reluctant as thought very expensive for an old movie before I went.
My sister insisted for her birthday so we went
It was amazing. Worth every penny!!
Think I prefer the not knowing what the film is before I go. I was worried about it but part of the fun.
I highly recommend going for earliest slot possible as you will get the most time wondering around,
Great fun trying to guess the film with random people as you are exploring Altough it took me a little time to figure out what I had to do.
Key to the experience is play along!
Do try to out smart the actors. (From reviews I have heard they kinda just move on to other people)
Just go with the flow and enjoy
The film that was on in march was millers crossing. And the scenes prior to the film were down really well
10/10 for experience and highly recommend
If you think is a little pricey think of this way
You would p*y £20-50 (depending on you budget) for theatre but this is live and you are involved for 4 hours not 2 like west end. And then add cinema ticket
We had a lot of fun the weeks before trying to find colour coordinated head pieces. (I had to find yellow which was HARD when I got they people had ribbon in hair
)
Waiting for next secret one #excited but have heard great things from the current "back to the future " production
I was very reluctant as thought very expensive for an old movie before I went.
My sister insisted for her birthday so we went
It was amazing. Worth every penny!!
Think I prefer the not knowing what the film is before I go. I was worried about it but part of the fun.
I highly recommend going for earliest slot possible as you will get the most time wondering around,
Great fun trying to guess the film with random people as you are exploring Altough it took me a little time to figure out what I had to do.
Key to the experience is play along!
Do try to out smart the actors. (From reviews I have heard they kinda just move on to other people)
Just go with the flow and enjoy
The film that was on in march was millers crossing. And the scenes prior to the film were down really well
10/10 for experience and highly recommend
If you think is a little pricey think of this way
You would p*y £20-50 (depending on you budget) for theatre but this is live and you are involved for 4 hours not 2 like west end. And then add cinema ticket

We had a lot of fun the weeks before trying to find colour coordinated head pieces. (I had to find yellow which was HARD when I got they people had ribbon in hair

Waiting for next secret one #excited but have heard great things from the current "back to the future " production
Member 58 of the "100 free films in 2013" club
64seen 36 to go
member No.58 of the "100 free films in 2012" club
57 seen
Member No. 64 of the "100 free films in 2011" club.
64seen 36 to go
member No.58 of the "100 free films in 2012" club
57 seen
Member No. 64 of the "100 free films in 2011" club.
Re: Secret Cinema
Apparently the latest event asks you to learn a piece of poetry prior to attending? oof.
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- 8 1/2
- Posts: 6895
- Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:15 pm
- Old post count: 0
Re: Secret Cinema
For Dead Poet's Society?D-Fens wrote:Apparently the latest event asks you to learn a piece of poetry prior to attending? oof.
Free Films Seen 2016
Jan - 7. Feb - 15. Mar - 39
Apr - 28. May - 41. June - 36
July - 39. Aug - 27. Sept - 42
Oct- 12 and counting. = 286
Jan - 7. Feb - 15. Mar - 39
Apr - 28. May - 41. June - 36
July - 39. Aug - 27. Sept - 42
Oct- 12 and counting. = 286
Re: Secret Cinema
Aye captain.
- claire
- The Sixth Sense
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:48 pm
- Old post count: 0
- Preferred Cinemas: westfieldlondon /shepherds bush / hammersmith/ wandsworth/whitleys/ west end / wimbledon
- Location: West london
Re: Secret Cinema
They normally ask u to bring something to secret cinema
You don't really need to
For millers crossing I had to bring a gift for the mayor, one of my sisters had to bring a cigar for club owner and my other sister example of her journalist work (lol)
You don't really need to
For millers crossing I had to bring a gift for the mayor, one of my sisters had to bring a cigar for club owner and my other sister example of her journalist work (lol)
Member 58 of the "100 free films in 2013" club
64seen 36 to go
member No.58 of the "100 free films in 2012" club
57 seen
Member No. 64 of the "100 free films in 2011" club.
64seen 36 to go
member No.58 of the "100 free films in 2012" club
57 seen
Member No. 64 of the "100 free films in 2011" club.
- elski
- 9 1/2 Weeks
- Posts: 14287
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:47 pm
- Old post count: 1223
- Location: Sheffield/London
Re: Secret Cinema
Over 75,000 Attend Secret Cinema’s BACK TO THE FUTURE Screenings
http://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2014/09/ov ... creenings/
http://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2014/09/ov ... creenings/
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Member No. 25 of the "100 free films in 2017" club! 195 films seen!!
List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 10#p386907
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Member No. 25 of the "100 free films in 2016" club! 170 seen!
List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 59#p375395
2015 -210 films seen! List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 20#p354785
2014 - 178 films seen! List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 20#p321617
2013 - 104 films seen!
2012 - 103 films seen
2011 - 110 films seen
2010 - 82 films seen
2009 - 72 films seen
2008 - 41 films seen
Member No. 25 of the "100 free films in 2017" club! 195 films seen!!
List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 10#p386907
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Member No. 25 of the "100 free films in 2016" club! 170 seen!
List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 59#p375395
2015 -210 films seen! List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 20#p354785
2014 - 178 films seen! List: http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 20#p321617
2013 - 104 films seen!
2012 - 103 films seen
2011 - 110 films seen
2010 - 82 films seen
2009 - 72 films seen
2008 - 41 films seen
Re: Secret Cinema
Went on the bank holiday Sunday, the day before the washout on Monday, thank goodness. The whole experience would have been miserable if it rained. Very pricey evening, as you cannot bring food and drinks or mobiles into the venue, so b*ying beer, food, disposable cameras adds up. On the whole, I enjoyed the experience because I love the film and immersive theatre anyway, so yes, it was worth doing.