Around the Screen
A movie is not only what happens on the screen

I grew up with movies.
My father love them, and he passed this passion down to me, along with the desire to share them and talk about them with others.
I can be very shy, but I like going to cineforums or trying to organize get-togethers around a movie.
It makes breaking the ice a little easier and allows the conversation to drift toward places my brain loves to explore : the wide range of ways to express human emotions, the minutiae of a scenography, the angle chosen to portray a character.
The movie itself and the people you see movies with are important factors to keep in mind, but also the familiar or unfamiliar place you choose.
Your livingroom, a familiar cinema, over the highline of a metropoly or a beautiful sea sunset are also possibilities.
Cinema Galleggiante (Floating Cinema) is an art film festival born in post-pandemic summer of 2020 and now in its fifth edition, following each year a different theme.
Between the end of August and the beginning of september, you can purchase a “Walking” ticket or a “Boat” ticket and take part in the screenings.
Seeing movie outside, sadly, is only seasonal. With summer at our doors we can fantasize to see classics or recent cine films outside, with a warm breeze and maybe a cold beverage.
Or so I thought.
In Canada, there is a chance to take part in a Film Festival outside, with the movies projected onto a screen of snow built for the occasion.
It takes place in February in Edmonton, Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Canada) during the Silver Skate Festival, it is a free admission event showcasing the best in recent and classic local, Canadian, and international winter shorts and feature films.
Seems challenging to be part of the crowd, I bet, but if you get cold, you can warm up in the heated festival tent, where the concession has snacks by donation.
This year, most films were under 30 minutes long, with some as short as 5 minutes. The organization still suggested to make sure to wear layers and good boots regardless.
Before the Pandemic I had the chance to see Vicky Cristina Barcelona at the Bianchini Cinema, over the Vittorio Emanuele’s Gallery in Milan. It was a marvelous summer experience.
Last year I participated in a film festival workshop. Over 6 months of workshops, we developed a four-date film festival, in four different locations across the city. The festival days were not consecutive, but only on saturday morning accompanied by a light breakfast buffet.
Talking with the other participants brought back childhood memories, of slow saturday mornings off school, sitting on the sofa in front of the TV, waiting for lunch and watching cartoons.
As a child, I loved movies in my livingroom, the screen just out of touch if sitting on the sofa. Growing up, I did not lose that habit, but I am now very curious about other settings too.
How do you like to watch your movies?
I cannot wait to read your thoughts.
Let’s continue talking in the comments :)
If you liked this piece of writing please consider reading the others I published here on Substack, other than subscribing.
If you did not, please tell me your point of view.
Until next time,
A


