One of my favourite activities in Barcelona during summertime is the an open air cinema in Sala Montjuic. The opening of the season, usually at the beginning of July, is also a sign that summer has really started in the city.
This year’s program is exciting with a varied range of genre from Cinema Paradiso to Her and not forgetting The Kid. I want to see half of the planned movies. Alas, I am super busy with my special guests (my parents) in town. I will only be able to see one of the movies before the end of the season.
What are these open-air movies about anyway?
During one month, 3 days per week, a selected movie is projected in Sala Montjuic. Sala Montjuic is the back part of the Montjuic Castle: one big open-air and grassy space with a cinema screen. At the front, there is a stage for a live band. A concert always precedes the session. Last Friday, a jazz and bossa nova group was playing. They had a cool version of a Mary Poppins’ tune. There is also a short movie before the feature film.
I always try to arrive early to beat the queue and get a comfy foldable chair. They are for rent for 3 euros per night. This is the secret to a perfect and comfortable night at Sala Montjuic, if you ask me. On the last night of the season, you can bring yours back home. I have a few of them stored in my shed.
The picnic on the grass
One other thing I love about those nights is that you can bring your own picnic. You gather a nice group of friends, you take a blanket with you and bring delicious bits and pieces (cured meat, cheese, bread, cherry tomatoes, a couple of bottles of wine, anything you fancy). Then you enjoy yourselves sharing your treats. The atmosphere that reigns during these movies is always nice. For instance, if you forgot your bottle opener, someone from the assistance will graciously lend you one.
The Kid
Of course, the movie is an important element too. This year, I was so lucky to be able to watch The Kid in such a nice setting. The movie being mute, there was an orchestra accompanying it. I have always loved the Kid. When I was living in Paris, I used to have the poster where the Kid stood beside Charlie, pointing with his arm, in my student room. He was so cute. I wanted to give him loads of hugs. He was also a great actor for being so young.
I liked the whole movie: the touching story, the humour, the love and tenderness between Charlie and the Kid, the unforeseen development that trouble their simple but happy life. The fact that the movie is in black & white and mute draws me more into the story. Those features pushed me to engage more with the characters. I felt worried when the Kid got sick. I was outraged when the “villains” came to their apartment to pick him up. I wanted to tell him she is your mum when…You will have to watch the movie to find out the rest. But it was highly entertaining!
The end!
I enjoyed that night. I left the place light and content, thanks to a great ending. Classic movies are so refreshing. The open-air movies are still on until August 7th.