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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
Oct 26 2012 – Back in August 2012 we experienced our first 360 Screenings and reviewed it here. Our conclusion was “360 Screenings has created a contemporary sensory experience that establishes new rules on the landscape of traditional cinema. A must see, feel, touch, hear, read and experience.” We had the opportunity to watch the October event and we asked our Cultural Editor to describe the experience, read on to find out what she had to say!
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
360 Screenings is unlike any movie experience I have ever had. It gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself into a film’s story by combining the screening of a film with live performance. The screening I attended was the Halloween edition. No earlier than 24 hours before the film starts, the lucky ticket holders are sent an email with information – the film’s location, what to wear, what to bring – clues that keep you guessing as to what the film will be about. We were told to dress up in army fatigues, bring a can of food “because we will be hungry where we are going”, and it was “imperative to wear protective eye coverings” like goggles or glasses. Reading this email made me shiver… were we going to get paintballed or splashed on?
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
Once we arrived onsite at the Berkeley Church on Queen Street East, we stepped foot right into the film. Just after 7 pm, the large wooden doors are unlocked by two army guards, and we are met by a priest who says in a British accent, “Welcome my child”, and directs us to enter the bowels of this historic building built circa 1871. Our first sighting is of a screaming man chained to a stone wall, writhing on the floor, blood all over his face. We continue onwards, and head to a main hall where what appears to be a kitchen. An army officer is busy cleaning plates and preparing some omelets. Still no clue what the movie is.
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
We continue onwards, each corner we turn we are faced with more scenes from the movie. Some making me jump, others leaving me curious. We are invited to explore all the rooms, on all floors. We interact with some of the actors and they make us feel like part of the film. We contemplate stopping by the make-up artistry area, where movie-goers were made to look like zombies. Instead we head to the bar and got some sliders and asparagus hor d’oeurves. Delish. Some of the guests are sharing their thoughts on what the movie might be… 28 Days Later… We think the same.
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
We are beckoned, time to enter the movie screening area. As we pass the gates, we see several fanatically screaming zombies, trying to climb over the fence to grab us. We make it inside, grab our seats and wait. The priest enters; this time he is clearly infected and runs out in a maddening flurry. The organizers welcome us to the screening and announce the movie. We were right!
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
Verdict: 4.5 out of 5. An absolutely unique, and highly entertaining film experience. Don’t miss the next 360 Screening event in February. They say it will be “whimsical”. Any guesses?
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
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| 360 Screenings presents 28 Days Later as their October 2012 event |
