The free movies on the beaches of Barcelona season is on. Cinema lliure a la platja has started last week.
What is this Barcelona event about?
Very simple, this a broadcasting of independent movies on four different beaches in and around Barcelona. A proper summer event in the same line as the open-air cinema in Sala Montjuic. However, Cinema lliure’s movies are free. They also happen on specific days of the week. On Thursdays and some Sundays, it is in Barceloneta (on Sant Sebastian beach). On Fridays, it is in Badalona and Prat beach. Finally, on Saturdays, it is in Mataro (on Varador beach). The starting time is set for after 21h.
I went to my first beach movie in 2014, yeah, a little while ago… to watch “Frances Ha”. And I liked it very much: being on the beach, the free movie, the story, the atmosphere. I have not had the opportunity to come back since. This year, I am making the time, especially as all the chosen movies seem interesting.
The first movie experience…
Last week, I saw “El rei borni” on Barceloneta’s beach. We arrived at 21h, but the movie only started around 22h15. I believe the organisers waited for the dark for everyone to see the screen better. The night started with a short movie. Then we could watch the feature film …
The plot sounded interesting: a woman organises a dinner with her partner and another couple. During the dinner, the spectators find out that her husband is an antiriot policeman and the other man a social documentary maker who lost his eye during a protest. Mmm…I saw the first 30 minutes of the movie, and I enjoyed it. It was in Catalan with English subtitles, but I could see that the subtitles were not synchronised with the movie even though I am not a Catalan speaker. So that was a pity. I did not see the end as well. We had to leave as it was getting late. I expected the movie to start much earlier and needed to go home before the metro ended.
Advice to enjoy the night
Anyway, for me, the full experience is only postponed. I plan to come back again in the coming weeks to enjoy the movies on offer fully!!! My advice for the future and to fully appreciate the night? Don’t forget a blanket to sit on (like I did), bring some drinks (it is always nice), bring warm clothes (as it is windy on the beach) and plan that the movie can start late and so finish late (especially if you take public transportation). It also helps to sit closer to the screen to hear better. And finally…enjoy!
Post update: I went back to see “Bar bahar: entre dos mundos” (Bar Bahar: between two worlds). This time, fully prepared! I enjoyed the movie very much. The story was about 3 Palestinian women taking charge of their lives. No issues with subtitles this time. Great atmosphere with the public applauding and cheering every time one of the women stood up for herself. It has been a great night, really!
Movies are on until the 3rd of August. For more information, click here: cinemalliure