It’s nice how life rolls around, sometimes.
One of the first pieces I wrote for Culture Vulture was a review of Sneaky Experience’s screening of Top Gun. For me, it was the real starting point for my exploration into the Yorkshire film scene. It’s a journey that has taken me all over the county, from independent screenings in pub back rooms and basements to full-on film festivals – all taking place in settings so spectacular they rival anything being shown in more traditional venues.
When I wrote about Sneaky Experience, in amongst all the bad grammar and poor sentence structure (happy to report that hasn’t changed), I mentioned how impressed I was with the event’s concept and the enthusiasm which had gone into pulling it all together. At the same time, it still felt very much like an idea in progress, with various elements being tested to see how they well they all fit together. I remember looking forward to future events, hoping that Sneaky Experience’s concept of an interactive screening would slowly be perfected.
Well, that was about a year and a bit ago and the organisers at Sneaky Experience have certainly been busy. If you’ve been anyway close to social media sources for local film events you’ll have no doubt seen news of their numerous screenings. Both as Sneaky Experience and Sneaky Cine, the organisers have showcased a wide variety of films in a number of venues such as the Outlaws Yacht Club and White Cloth Gallery. Practice makes perfect, as they say, and the entire concept now seems a lot tighter. Gone is the mystery element, which involved cryptic clues that slowly revealed the film that was to be shown and the entertainment on offer. The focus is now solely the events themselves and making them as unique and exciting as possible.
This new approach has culminated with the launch of a new, very snazzy (full credit to whoever designed it) website, along with their summer programme of screenings. To kick things off, they’re starting in style with a showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, tomorrow, at Kirkstall Abbey on the eve of the Kirkstall Festival.
For those unaware of what Sneaky Experience do, the concept is wonderfully simple. While some filmmakers add more and more visual effects to their work in an effort to capture audiences’ attention, Sneaky Experience opt for an alternative route – taking what’s presented on screen out into the real world and surrounding the audience with it. This includes everything involved in the event, from the chosen venue to the food and drink available on the night and the entertainment on offer both before and after the screening. Often this involves actors recreating famous scenes from the film being shown and interacting with the audience. For me, that means stealthily avoiding being dragged into any kind of skit by heading straight to the bar – for those of you less socially awkward there’s a lot of fun to be had with this.
I’d be remiss, of course, if I didn’t mention the actual audience attending these screenings. By large it’s made up of people fully willing to throw themselves into what’s on offer; this means everything, from dressing up as their favourite characters, to reacting raucously when a favourite moment happens on screen. For aficionados, it’s exhilarating to be surrounded by people who know these movies as well as you and, if you’re a newcomer, I can’t image a better atmosphere to be introduced to these films in.
This, rather neatly, I feel, brings us on to what’s actually being shown. As I mentioned, it starts off tomorrow with Monty Python and the Holy Grail at Kirkstall Abbey, It’s a great choice of venue for this exercise in medieval ridiculousness. Expect knights who say ni, killer rabbits, a distinct lack of horses but plenty of coconut shells; just don’t asked where they got them from, you’ll be there all night. While Leeds may not be getting to host the current Python reunion show, this event allows us to revisit them in their heyday, a worthy alternative.
This leads to a double-bill taking place at Leeds Docks on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July. To fit in with the water theme, the organisers have opted for Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on Saturday and Steven Spielberg’s classic, Jaws, on the Sunday.
I don’t think I can add anything to what’s already been said about Jaws over the years. It’s one of the greatest thrillers ever made and, while the effects may have aged, the film is as terrifying as ever. There’s a lot for Sneaky Experience to work with in this film and, if the weather stays as it is now, this open air screening could be one of the film highlights of the summer.
Conveniently, I was speaking to some friends at the weekend about directors we thought were overrated (everyone’s a critic, eh?) and Wes Anderson’s name cropped up. The friend who brought up the name almost immediately backed down however, saying that he always thinks that but immediately changes his mind once he starts to watch one of his films. I actually think it’s a pretty accurate description of his work, easy to disparage as unrealistic or twee when looking back, but when you actually sit down to watch one, he can draw you into the world he’s created like no-one else.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is no exception. Be on the lookout for walkie-talkie hats, seafaring costumes and themed food and drink. In addition, if you’ve never experienced David Bowie songs sung in Portuguese, you’re in for a treat.
It’s an exciting programme from a group that is going from strength to strength. If you’ve been before you’ll have some idea of what to expect and, for the uninitiated, now’s the perfect time to find out what all the fuss is about. Feel free to say hello to me tomorrow, I’ll be the one in sensible clothing, sat in smoking area and trying to avoid being interacted with by any actors present.
Sneaky Experience’s summer programme kicks off tomorrow, Friday 11 July, with Monty Python and the Holy Grail at Kirkstall Abbey. To find out more about this, future screenings and to book tickets go to: http://sneakyexperience.co.uk/