Thoughts about past cinema visits as part of a challenge.
Having been nominated by a friend to take part in the cinema challenge initiated by Zurich Film Festival (ZFF), here are some of my thoughts and memories related to the cinema. The idea of the challenge is to reminisce about influential cinema visits in our lives, and therefore draw attention to the cinemas which need our support after the enforced closures.
Having been raised without a TV but with plenty of books in our household, I did not regularly watch films as a child. Having seen only very few cartoon films at some playmates‘ houses until then, I remember going to the cinema for the first time at age 6 for the birthday party of a friend. We watched the Disney film Aladdin, which I guess was perfectly age-appropriate for a group of kids our age, accompanied by a dad.
When I experienced the magic of cinema for the first time, sitting in the dark with my friends, I was mesmerized by what I saw on screen. I was also, however, bewildered by how this screen version of Aladdin was so different from how I had imagined it in my mind, knowing the fairy tale which it is based upon. This was my first moment of (then, unconsciously) comparing a written source to the adaptation, something which I would go on to do countless times as a students of both literature and film.
My bewilderment even went far enough that I didn’t even sit through the entire film, but left the cinema earlier. I don’t recall in detail whether I was afraid of the genie or Jafar or just perplexed by the story that was coming to life before my eyes. Since then, I don’t think a I’ve ever left the cinema again, but rather spent countless happy hours in them. Even when watching films on TV I hardly ever not finish a film, even if it’s not fully enjoyable. I believe that’s a habit I picked up during film studies, when I learned to sit through some items of film history that were at times so creative and brave that it was puzzling or even revolting. But I’ve also come to embrace finishing films that do not overwhelm me in the beginning, because they might be getting better and only start making sense at the end. Having watched all essential old French, Italian and Spanish films, as well as German ones (including now forbidden ones including propaganda), I am pretty much able to watch anything and find some kind of artistic or content-related value in it.
Besides regular cinema visits, in my hometown and wherever I travel, I have also been shaped by screenings at film festivals and open air cinemas. Attending open air cinemas at various locations at lakes, in the forest and on squares in the city is an important cultural event every summer, which I have enjoyed since childhood. I have always enjoyed surprise nights, during which a premiere was shown without knowing beforehand which one it would be. But also outdoor screenings of well-known and beloved classics on a warm summer night always hold a special kind of magic, for example watching old classics such as Once Upon a Time in the West with some wine at Lake Geneva.
During film festivals, I have watched numerous films before they came to cinemas, with filmmakers and cast members present to talk about their work. This additional information and excitement has added to my love of films, and has led me to watch more films every year (especially at my home town festival, Zurich Film Festival, and the Locarno Film Festival a few hours from here). Having had the opportunity to attend talks and award ceremonies was insightful, with creatives such as Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Pawel Pawlikowski, Aaron Sorkin, Olivier Assayas, Lulu Wang and more; as well as actors like Johnny Depp, Woody Harrelson, Uma Thurman, Peter Fonda, Diane Keaton, Harrison Ford, Viggo Mortensen, Judi Dench and many more. Attending special screenings at film festivals and open air cinemas has definitely added to my fascination of the cinema.
Overall, my love of films and cinema has definitely grown since first watching a Disney film in cinemas. Especially in this recent time of cinema closures because of the corona virus, I missed it a lot - the moment when the lights go off, the smell of popcorn, the magic of experiencing some adventures together while sitting in the dark and watching the same events unfold. When cinemas reopened in Switzerland, I went with one of my main cinema-buddies to the very first screening available, the lunch cinema screening. It was lovely to be welcomed back by the cinema director, and to be surrounded by other cinema lovers again. Since then, I've made a point of going to the cinema as often as possible, to support local cinemas and to continue my love for the cinema.
(Images: ZFF, Locarno Festival, Allianzkino, IMDB)