An answer to the art/ life dilemma was provided in a decisive downpour that sent an audience big enough to change a town's name scurrying for cover at Cinema Under the Stars last weekend.
An answer to the art/ life dilemma was provided in a decisive downpour that sent an audience big enough to change a town's name scurrying for cover at Cinema Under the Stars last weekend.
But not before they'd enjoyed most of the first of the double bill on the field at Fiddlers Green that balmy Friday night.
Families and friends hunkered down together with blankets and picnic hampers for the first movie, not long after sunset.
Two days ahead of Valentine's Day, "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" was an inspired choice for the adult section of the movie bill, due to screen after the fantastically entertaining, "A Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb".
But like Sonny Kapoor's life, stuff happened: the storm broke, the rain came down, everyone got their ticket stamped so they could come back for free the next night and most went home.
Except for a dapper and determined couple who remained on their camp chairs gloriously glued to the screen (the projector and speakers were protected from the rain, which meant the movie could continue). Fully equipped with sturdy rain gear, they remained until the last possible moment.
Organisers kept Cinema Under the Stars fans posted on Facebook about plans for the next evening as the weather kept everyone guessing until the last moment.
But this time art won: the rain held off, the audience arrived and the double bill of kids' classic "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and the visually awesome "Life of Pi" went ahead.
National Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester was there, keeping a weather eye (literally) on the situation.
"Cinema Under the Stars was a way of creating something communal for Grahamstown that was centred around the arts," he told Grocott's Mail, as the first movie got under way.
"Grahamstown doesn't have a cinema and when it comes to entertainment that's great for young and old, movies are the great leveller.
"We've come up with one or two movies that appeal to everyone and in an environment like this – outdoors, on the grass – it's just a great family-friendly picnic night out," Lankester said.
The National Arts Festival devised the Cinema Under the Stars project, came up with the movies, and put the event together using their own staff, expertise and equipment.
"It's laid on for the Grahamstown community – and it's just something we really enjoy doing," Lankester said.
Some of the most excited movie-goers on the Saturday night were children from the Ikhaya Losizo Cluster Foster Homes – the project supported by this year's Grocott's Christmas Cheer Fund.
They were there with their house mothers courtesy of the "Take a Child to the Movies" initiative which has been part of Cinema Under The Stars since its inception. For a R50 donation you can buy a child a ticket (including a chaperone), transport to and from the event and supper.
Saturday saw 20 children getting to experience a movie on the big screen – a first for some of them. The Creative City Project wants to encourage anyone – individuals or businesses – to get involved and sponsor more children to come to the next screening.
If you're interested, contact Kate Davies on 046 603 1163 or email her at kate@nationalartsfestival.co.za.
The next Cinema Under the Stars is on 8 April, when it will be a little cooler – do take blankets – but perhaps the tropical storms will hold off.
It's a cheap, fun and easy evening's entertainment – and a rare opportunity for cinema-deprived Grahamstown parents to enjoy the magic of The Movies with their kids.
