In the Dark

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the cinema, a new concept of film going comes along to rock your world. Words by Katherine Bebo . Illustration by Ben Challenor

STANDING IN THE RAIN with 100 other clueless punters, I was beginning to wonder if my L13.50 had been well spent. We'd been instructed by e-mail to gather outside West Dulwich train station in London, where we'd be taken to a secret location.

This cloak-and-dagger intrigue had all seemed very exciting earlier in the day while sitting at my desk, but now I was having doubts. Where would we be taken? What would happen? Why was that bloke covering his face with a scarf and carrying a suitcase on his shoulder? And, more to the point, why hadn't I just gone to see Indiana Jones, where at least I'd know what I was getting?

While I was fantasising about sitting in the Odeon, eating overpriced popcorn and watching a decrepit Harrison Ford, the crowd began shuffling forwards. We were on the move, being led by four posh lads in tailcoats. At least now I knew we'd soon be out of the elements; my excitement was mounting.

The Secret Cinema is a concept created by Fabien Riggall, who says, “the internet is changing the way we watch films and The Secret Cinema is changing where we watch films.” Its inception last December saw 300 curious people turn up under the railway arches at London Bridge to watch Paranoid Park, a film about skateboarders. They, like me now, had no idea what they had paid to watch.

Actors are employed for the occasion and are in place to provide clues, drinks and, of course, entertainment. This event occurs monthly, and each time the location is different. You could be watching the film du jour anywhere from a city farm to a derelict theatre, a car park or even a rooftop.

As we're led up the path of the impressive and beautiful Dulwich College, we discovered our picture house for the evening. Hmm, posh lads…a college… a headmaster greeting us at the door… Harry Potter? But then how do you explain the nurses checking people's hair for nits and asking if they suffer from scabies or VD? Definitely not Harry Potter. And what about those four fellas sitting in the corner drinking vodka and playing cards, with pictures of pretty young fillies stuck on the wall? Dead Poet's Society?

Picking up bags of retro sweets - think Cola Cubes, Fruit Salads and Pink Shrimps - we head to the main auditorium, all the while trying to guess what cinematic journey we're about to be taken on. We are given a piece of paper outlining “College Rules”: “No boy is permitted to run in the corridor; rugby is an integral part of the school curriculum; no boys may bring fireworks, explosives or weapons into the school…” Righto! I'm still none the wiser.

We are transported back to our school days (Back to the Future?) and asked to stand for the headmaster. A few glances and sniggers among the crowd/school are exchanged as we oblige and stand obediently while we are berated for not tucking our shirts in and being late. Events take an even more random turn when organ music fills the hall and we begin to sing the hymn The Day of Resurrection. The words are provided on the back of our rule sheet - they really have thought of everything.

The mumbled singing comes to an end and the projector whirrs to life. Only the truly cultured or top film students would have any clue what we are about to watch - I fall into neither category. So, what did we see? Well, it's a secret and If… I told you, I'd have to kill you.

For more information, visit www.secretcinema.org

Kiedy w strugach deszczu stałam wraz z innymi przed stacjš kolejow West Dulwich, zaczęłam wštpić, czy dobrze wydałam swoje L13,50. Wcześniej wszytko wydawało mi się bardzo intrygujšce, ale teraz pojawiły się wštpliwości. Dokšd nas zabiorš? Co się wydarzy?

Secret Cinema to pomysł Fabena Rigalla, który powiedział: „internet zmienia sposób, w jaki oglšdamy filmy, a Secret Cinema zmienia miejsce, gdzie je oglšdamy.” Impreza odbywa się raz w miesišcu i za każdym razem w innym miejscu.

Przyszło po nas czterech ubranych we fraki chłopców. Zastanwiałam się: hm, college, nauczyciel w drzwiach... Harry Potter? Ale te pielęgniarki?… nie. A co robiš tu ci czterej goście, którzy pijš wódkę i grajš w karty? Stowarzyszenie Umarłych Poetów?

Cišgle próbuję zgadnšć, w jakiej filmowej podróży biorę udział. Dostajemy kartki papieru z regulaminem szkoły. Niewiele mi to mówi. Przenosimy się w szkolne czasy (Powrót do przeszłości?). W holu rozbrzmiewa muzyka organowa, zaczynamy śpiewać „W Dzień Zmartwychwstania”. Tylko najlepsi studenci szkoły filmowej byliby w stanie odgadnšć, jaki film będziemy oglšdać - ja, niestety, nie należę do tej kategorii. Co więc oglšdaliśmy? To tajemnica i Jeżeli... bym ci jš wyjawiła, musiałabym cię zabić.