CULTURE |
FILM & TV
The cinemas might be
shut – but as Simon Brew
says that’s not stopping
people wanting to watch
films together The
social
network
FILM
W
ere circumstances slightly
different, then the idea of
watching a film with others,
talliedtothetacitrequirement
thatyoulogontosocialmediaatthesametime,
wouldhopefullyelicitafineBritishtut. But
lockdown has changed many rules in life, and the
movies are adapting too.
In particular, the last few weeks have seen the
rise of live social media movie watch parties. That
is, we’re given a time to watch a specific movie
and the requirement is to log onto a given social
media platform at the same time. Following the
pre-advised hashtag or handle, the idea is then
that lots of people around the world are watching
the same film at the same time, with the added
twist of sometimes having the people who made
it joining in. All sharing comments and chatter as
the movie plays.
It’s been television, rather than film, that has
led the way with this. Emily Cook of Doctor Who
Magazine has organised an ongoing collection
of live episode viewings, bringing former
showrunners Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies
to Twitter to share anecdotes about the making of
the chosen episodes, and add fresh insights and
material (she’s since then recruited at least one
former Doctor and several cast members too).
But with cinemas shut down for the foreseeable
future, movie fans have been following suit.
Esquire magazine recruited Pierce Brosnan for
a 25th anniversary watchalong of his first James
Bond adventure, GoldenEye. Brosnan was in the
pavilion of his home, on a tech set-up that he
freely admitted his kids had sorted for him. Andhespentjustover two hoursdroppingstoriesabouthistimeonthefilm.
For instance, the film’s opening iconic bungee jump was done as a test first
using a tree trunk rather than a stunt performer – and it snapped three times.
You can find out what happened next here: bit.ly/2KnpMvR
Brosnan isn’t alone. Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi organised a
watch party on Instagram Live for his Marvel film, and dropped a fair few
hints about the upcoming Thor 4 as he did so. Look under the Twitter hashtag
#QuarantineWatchParty and you’ll find films as varied as Marvel blockbusters
and overlooked teen movies being enjoyed, with their cast and crew.
Not that associated film talent is compulsory. Empire, via its Twitter feed,
has made a diary date every Friday at 8pm for a Tweetalong film viewing,
with the magazine team and anyone who wants to join in (look for the
#EmpireMovieNight hashtag). Fans of the overlooked British family comedy
Bill (available now on BBC iPlayer) rallied together to stage a watching party
of their own – #BillWatchParty. In fact, it’s worth a look around your favourite
film website to see what it’s got lined up.
None of this, of course, replaces the communal effect of sitting in a cinema
with an audience watching a film. But it’s something a little different, and
further proof of people adapting to very odd times. Just as long as people put
their phones away when cinemas do reopen, all should be well and good.@simonbrew
Simon Brew is the editor and publisher of independent film magazines
Film Stories and Film Stories JuniorPierce of the action
Former 007 Brosnan
provided a commentary on
his first Bond film GoldenEye36 | BIGISSUE.COM 3 0 APRIL-06 MAY 2020