February 7, 2014 – 360 Screenings, Toronto’s immersive film experience providers, hosted three stellar events this weekend. Held in the historic St. Lawrence Hall at King and Jarvis, the love-themed events were packed to capacity with film lovers seeking an entertaining, one-of-a-kind experience.
360 Screenings is the brainchild of Robert Gontier and Ned Loach. This weekend’s event represents the real life couple’s 7th film screening, and each time it gets better and better. Inspired by an immersive, multi-sensory film experience in the UK, Gontier and Loach brought the concept to Toronto to great effect.
Each film takes place in a Toronto-based Heritage building. The identity of each film is kept under wraps until the night of the screening. Even the screening location is top secret until 24-hours before the event. Part of the fun is guessing what movie you will see by following 360’s clue-filled tweets and puzzling over the event’s theme, “LOVE, a celebration of what it means to love, and be loved in return”. What’s more, we were told we were going to a Masquerade ball, and to wear a mask and of some sort. I at first thought we were going to see romance/musical Moulin Rouge. The film was actually none other than Romeo + Juliet , directed by Baz Luhrmann (who coincidently also directed Moulin Rouge).
As we browse the venue, we pass through rooms that are carefully decorated with props are in place and see actors re-enact obscure scenes from the film, kitted out in full costume and encouraging participation from the audience. As party draws to a close, the actors’ pace gets rather frenetic and we follow them into the screening room, ready to sit down and enjoy the film.
Verdict: A must see event! 360 Screenings makes going to a movie exciting again. If you love movies and you love theatre, you will love 360 Screenings.
Our previous coverage of 360 Screenings include (you can read the review through the link) Exorcist, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amelie, 28 Days Later and Fight Club.
