On Fridays, it is quite customary amongst normal people to go to the cinema. They meet up outside their local Curzon, purchase some munchies, and settle in for the night in their comfy plush seats. For our little bunch though, this did not appeal as eccentric enough. Where is our opportunity to glam up? To sip champagne? To take a few snaps? Said opportunity came in the form of Secret Cinema, inviting us for a preview screening of The Grand Budapest Hotel in a mysterious location somewhere in East London. We were to show up at 6 pm wearing our panache with pride.
We had to stumble through narrow, dark alleys and make a few curt exchanges with stern-looking gentlemen in big leather coats — all to have our mobile phones confiscated upon our arrival! Imagine the frenzy of separation anxiety this had thrown us in! Only then were we allowed to enter the red-carpeted, sparkly, glamourous hall, full of people dressed to the nines sipping champagne, conversing in exotic tongues, and eating chilli chocolates. To the sounds of rather fine music.
We made some fine friends.
In Zubrowka.
Over a shot of Zubrowka.
We adopted a Norwegian who kindly gifted us with an Alpine-themed postcard.
Had a snoop around the building to admire the props.
Enjoyed a couple of bottles of champagne.
Recited Russian poetry from stage.
Signed up for a choir.
Posed with a dead bear.
And retired downstairs to the spa.
Waltzed around, posed for more pictures, and went upstairs to watch the exclusive preview of The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Wes Anderson’s film, starring Jude Law, Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe, Johnny Depp, Bill Murray, and many others, was everything I expected: a candy-coloured storybook, full of giddiness, frills, dazzles, and delights.
Releasing in the UK on March 7th.
Shade of Red Blog 
Looks like a brilliant evening! 😀
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Hi, considering you have pictures does this mean we’re allowed to bring a camera to the event to take pictures?
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Hi I was wondering since you have photos, if you were allowed to bring a camera, I thought photography was not allowed?
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Yes, you can bring your camera. They take your mobile off you because you can’t use any video recording device inside but I had no issue with taking photos!
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Thanks! Do you reckon a disposable camera will also have no issue?
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I think it will definitely be ok. Enjoy your evening, it is so much fun!
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Thank you! Your photos look great and the whole event looked amazing!
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Hi these photos are amazing, would you mind if I used the Reception one in my arts blog, giving you full credit?
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Sure, Aaron. Please send me the link after so I can give you a shout-out too. 🙂
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Thanks very much. Its here: http://andtheylivehappilyeverafter.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/the-grand-budapest-hotel-secret-cinema/
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Nice blog, Aaron!
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Hi, thanks for the review! I’m going to the BTTF one, and I would like to know, did they actively frisk you and take your phone off you? Did they search you, personally? And what if you refused? I wonder if confiscating your property is legal…I highly doubt they have the legal remit to do that. And what’s more I really don’t feel comfortable in handing over a £500 smartphone to some random and then having to queue to get it back. But it’s not something I can do without because I need it to coordinate my arrival and the venue and also check train and bus times back…I find this very overly authoritarian to be honest…
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Hi Dave. They don’t search you, they just assume that everyone has a phone so you have to queue up to give yours to one of the ushers. Hope you enjoy BTTF, I heard it is going to be fantastic!
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Fantastic, I’ll just lie then and say I left it at home. Cheers!
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