Yay for solo screenings! Most of my theatrical experiences are alone now. I also used to feel awkward about it, but it doesn't even affect me anymore. It becomes, as you say, a ritual. Very jealous of you catching the Antonioni and Tarkovsky on the big screen. I missed Nostalghia when it played briefly in my city last year. Also, I'd be interested in an article on the Suzuki film! I've enjoyed/admired what I've seen from him, but that one is certainly more under the radar.
Just the best, aren't they? I used to feel super awkward about it, too, but once I started, I couldn't stop. Since Nostalghia recently got the restoration treatment, I hope it pops up at your local theater again sometime! It's definitely a film you want to see on the big screen, free from any distractions. As for Suzuki, say less! It would be my pleasure. Diving into his films over the last two-ish years has been such a treat. If you *really* want a proper deep dive in the meantime, William Carroll released a phenomenal book, Suzuki Seijun and Postwar Japanese Cinema, that I highly suggest checking out!
Maybe it's being super aware of the reactions of whomever you watching a movie with that can trip me up sometimes. Going alone eliminates that kind of fear/fixation and just allows you to concentrate on the film itself. Or perhaps it's just my base level of social anxiety thats best suited to solo screenings haha
Anyways, thanks for the book rec! I'm a pretty avid reader, so adding that one to my TBR. 🙌
It's serendipitous you dropped this for me to read on the same lunch break I spent scanning all the upcoming independent theatre releases to plan my own solo outings : )
Yay for solo screenings! Most of my theatrical experiences are alone now. I also used to feel awkward about it, but it doesn't even affect me anymore. It becomes, as you say, a ritual. Very jealous of you catching the Antonioni and Tarkovsky on the big screen. I missed Nostalghia when it played briefly in my city last year. Also, I'd be interested in an article on the Suzuki film! I've enjoyed/admired what I've seen from him, but that one is certainly more under the radar.
Just the best, aren't they? I used to feel super awkward about it, too, but once I started, I couldn't stop. Since Nostalghia recently got the restoration treatment, I hope it pops up at your local theater again sometime! It's definitely a film you want to see on the big screen, free from any distractions. As for Suzuki, say less! It would be my pleasure. Diving into his films over the last two-ish years has been such a treat. If you *really* want a proper deep dive in the meantime, William Carroll released a phenomenal book, Suzuki Seijun and Postwar Japanese Cinema, that I highly suggest checking out!
Maybe it's being super aware of the reactions of whomever you watching a movie with that can trip me up sometimes. Going alone eliminates that kind of fear/fixation and just allows you to concentrate on the film itself. Or perhaps it's just my base level of social anxiety thats best suited to solo screenings haha
Anyways, thanks for the book rec! I'm a pretty avid reader, so adding that one to my TBR. 🙌
It's serendipitous you dropped this for me to read on the same lunch break I spent scanning all the upcoming independent theatre releases to plan my own solo outings : )
I'm so thrilled to hear!! Enjoy picking some gems to check out~