Last year we presented a series of site-specific screenings in venues throughout Belfast over the summer months. Imagine big screen action in the most unusual locations; at the Albert Clock, in a swimming pool and below sea level inside the Titanic Dry Dock.
Running until the 31 August, the Aurora programme kicked off with a sold out screening of White House drama the West Wing in Belfast’s very own seat of power, Parliament Buildings at Stormont; followed by Stanley Tucci’s delicious Big Night served up with a specially created Timpano by the chefs in the trendy, Italian inspired restaurant Coppi.
The Black Box hosted a special summer version of the Belfast Film Festival Quiz. Film aficionado Brian Henry Martin was the chief for a uniquely themed police and fire filled evening of tricky questions, sticky soundtracks and big screen puzzles. Audience members were invited to join host Joe Lindsay for a celebration of all things Police Squad! The event included two handpicked episodes followed by cult comedy classic The Naked Gun. After the screenings audience members stuck around for the Blue Oyster Bar Disco, fancy dress and free doughnuts.
For the more classic comedy fans we presented Northern Ireland’s first and greatest slapstick comedy Oh, Mr. Porter! at the historical Ulster Folk and Transport Museum . Audience members were invited to step back in time and enjoy the classic railway themed comedy surrounded by the museum’s collection of beautiful trains, trams and rail transport history.
Comedy duo Nicko & Joe were on hand to confuse, disturb and delight spectators as they journey through bad plot lines and awful acting in a live DVD stylised commentary to Can’t Stop The Music in this year’s installment of the Bad Film Club the one stop shop for a film that’s so bad it’s good
Due to popular demand, a second screening of Dario Argento’s (1977) Suspria was shown. Claudio Simonetti from influential Italian progressive rock band Goblin performed a live score to Dario Argento’s 1977 horror masterpiece to an enthralled audience.
Perhaps the most exciting site specific screening Aurora showcased, however, was Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey screened 40 feet below sea level at the dry dock at Titanic Quarter in Belfast. If you’ve only ever seen the movie on a television screen, it’s fair to say you haven’t truly experienced it. On a cinema screen it’s magical. It was a truly mind-blowing experience for audience members who attended the first ever public event inside the dry dock.
The summer events closed with a special outdoor screening of Carol Reeds classic Belfast Noir Odd Man Out. The event took place beneath the iconic Albert Clock, in Belfast’s Custom House Square and was a perfect end to the summer for family, friends and film fans.