We reached the British Film Institute in Southbank after crossing the bridge over the river Thames and getting a beautiful view of the city. The theater is located in Souhtbank, a very lively part of London. We walked past many restaurants and shops, and there were people roaming around all around us. There even was a small skate park where local skaters were hanging out. Bill wanted to grab a drink before the show right by the river at one of his favorite bars, but unfortunately, the area was undergoing renovations so we were forced to make our way directly to BFI.
As soon as we got there, the theater seemed completely different from those in the U.S.. For starters, it didn't quite look like a movie theater from outside. Granted, it is a theater from the Institute that isn't showing the current releases and it isn't meant to be a normal movie-going experience. Instead of walking into the usual lobby of a movie theater, with the box office at the front and the strong smell of popcorn in the air, we walked into what at first glance looked like a restaurant and bar. The box office was further back, and the front of the theater was filled with chairs and couches and areas to sit down and grab a bite to eat or something to drink before your showing, or even just to come hang out while spending time in Southbank.
So, thats exactly what we did, we grabbed a drink before our showing. We got a spot at a table right by the bar (talk about convenience) and we grabbed a quick glass of wine before watching Waiting for Guffman. The atmosphere was calm and had a bit of a fancy feel about it. There were people enjoying dinner a couple tables over and others who seemed to just be hanging out and grabbing drinks with their colleagues. As I looked around me, I noticed there weren't very many young people and those around us looked older and seemed pretty serious. It seems like the seriousness just comes with being British, and nevertheless, it was a welcoming and fun atmosphere.
As we ordered out drinks we were asked if we wanted to drink it at the table or take it into the theater. Take my glass of wine into the theater? Now I know there are certain movie theaters somewhere in the U.S. that allow for their patrons to accompany their showings with drinks, but I personally have never been to one so this was very new to me. We enjoyed our drinks at the table and as the showtime approached, we took a couple minutes to head to the restrooms before entering.
We walked into a hall that definitely did not look like an american movie theater. It was a narrow hall, in comparison to the wide and big halls that lead you to your theater in America, and the showtimes weren't as clearly labeled above the doors. This, however, made it even more interesting. We had no idea where to go, and resorted to following the crowd who always somehow manages to know the way. They didn't check our tickets before entering the theater hall either, instead, they were waiting for us at the front of the theater door and quickly directed us in the direction of our seats.
The theater, as opposed to the small hall, was big and wide and was definitely a fancy one. The red chairs we sat on were as comfortable as my living room chairs and the experience was even more enhanced. If i had gotten my glass of wine and brought it with me to watch the movie, it almost would've felt like I was right at home.
Obviously having Sam Mendez speak before and after the movie was not what one would consider a usual movie-going experience, and it was exhilarating seeing the director American Beauty and hearing his commentary. Waiting for Guffman was a funny and heartwarming movie, and although the characters didn't get the big break they wanted I didn't leave the movie with anything but a positive feeling about it. It was also very interesting hearing why Sam chose this movie and why he liked it so much, and how it inspired him as a director.
I would definitely go back to this theater, specially since they usually show classic movies, such as The Sound of Music, which is now showing at the BFI. It was a wonderful experience, and the wine and comfortable chairs made it even better.
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