The Jameson Cult Film Club screening of interMission was a wonderful evening, as usual. Converting a warehouse at the end of Hanover Quay into the film’s MegaMart, the gang provided the usual celebratory screening atmosphere. Appropriately enough, brown sauce seemed to be the theme of the event, with crates serving as make-shift tables, bottles served along with tasty grub for those looking to customise their burgers.
(I will confess, though, that I did not see anybody mixing brown sauce with their Jameson, although I’m sure some adventurous soul out there made an attempt.)
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There’s a temptation to really take all this for granted. After all, the team have been putting these events together for about three years. Still, there was enough affection and attention to detail present to warm the heart of even the most devoted cinephile. (My personal favourite touch? The fact that the venue staff were all wearing the same shirts as Cillian Murphy and David Wilmot wore in the movie.) It’s clearly put together with a lot of care and meticulous planning.
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The pre-reception hosted actors and performers wandering around, creating a suitably impressive atmosphere. interMission was something of an inspired selection. It’s nice to celebrate an Irish film, and especially one of the strongest Irish films ever produced, but interMission is an ideal candidate because it offers so many iconic of memorable scenes. It’s amazing how much of a truly great film stays with an audience, whether consciously or not.
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Rewatching a classic film with a friendly audience is a wonderful experience for a completely different reason than discovering a newer movie with a similar-sized crowd. There’s the sense of a shared appreciation of a classic. It’s always interesting to watch a large audience prepare for a riotous laugh they know is coming, or a twist they can vaguely remember. In particular, there’s just such affection for the films at these screenings that it’s incredible.
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Rather pointedly, the Jameson screenings are generally the only screenings I attend – except for the very occasional morning press screening – where I can be assured that a mobile phone will not ruin a crucial moment, or that the bright light of somebody texting won’t draw my eye away from the screen at an important point. There’s just an obvious and abiding love and respect of cinema at these screenings, a palpable enthusiasm and a celebratory atmosphere. It’s just wonderful to draw all these people together, and the organisers deserve a tremendous amount of credit.
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Those wandering around the reception could stumble across bandits in those rubber masks, witness an actor impersonating Colm Meaney filming his life “on the street.” Security staff chased a bandit in a familiar red hoodie as he circled the warehouse space. A little alcove resembled a café where three less-than-successful criminals could plot their exploits. Even small moments and character from the film were celebrated – including a rabbit race which generated no small amount of enthusiasm.
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The activity during the screening was relatively subdued – probably a good idea, complementing the film rather than overwhelming it. Lots of running and chasing, but occasionally a nice character moment like John’s fifteen seconds of fame standing up to his manager. (Another inspired touch which didn’t quite work, but which I liked: the attempt to use an inflatable sheep at the climax.)
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However, it was the set-up that was most impressive, with the warehouse decorated in the style of the “MegaMart” from the film. Stacking the shelves with penny sweets, popcorn packets and crisps was an inspired touch – I only regret that I hesitated too long before trying to grab one. The attention to detail was impressive – even the trolleys were branded with the fake company’s decal. It’s clear that a lot of effort went into the evening.
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It was a lovely evening, very well organised, and a credit to those who helped put it together. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point you in the direction of the Jameson Cult Film Club website where you can sign up for tickets to these screenings. They’re entirely free, which is something that I think is very cool, and they’re raffled before each event.
Filed under: Movies | Tagged: arts, Cillian Murphy, Cinema of Ireland, cult film, Cult following, cult movie, David Wilmot, dublin, Intermission (film), jameson cult film club, Movie, reviews |
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