Have You Seen It?
We were sitting in the past, present and future.
Going to Sinners was an experience. The movie was amazing, but watching it in a sea of strangers was thrilling.Something about it felt different. It is monumental that a film with a black director and female cinematographer packed out almost every theatre in New York for weeks on end. There is no doubt that it was spiritual. Its brilliance awakened a long-forgotten American ritual. The act of going to the movies.
My roommate bought the tickets. I was a little hesitant. I’ve grown accustomed to the comfort of my couch. The thought of a hardened seat made me wince. But I knew this was a cultural event I couldn’t miss. After the tickets were purchased I didn’t give it a second thought. It wasn’t until 10 minutes before showtime that I decided to check the theatre reviews. I was met with, “Worst theatre in Manhattan”, “No air conditioning” and “If you want to hear the sound of the projector throughout the movie, here’s your place” I laughed and thought, fuck, oh well. When I walked in I saw beautiful brown faces bobbing about. Oh “we” are here, I mentally noted. Just that morning half the theatre had seats. Now, it was filled to the brim. From the gallery to the floor, all scenes of the city had made their way to the 10 pm showing.
You see, the 70 mm is key. It gives viewers an authentic feel of how a movie was shot. I love a good film grain. The specks over cinematic shots of the 1930s South hit a little differently. The jazz rang sweeter. Goosebumps came over me, as I was transported back in time. I sat on the edge of my seat, a spot over from a white man doing the same. Crowd reactions, collective scares, and the lauded applause all brought me joy. Together in this old theatre watching something black we all took part in the premise of the movie. We were sitting in the past, present, and future. In this present moment anything outside of the box, colored, curved, or questionable has a target on its back. Almost like they are screaming to go back* into hiding. This was different. This was rebellious.
*( did we ever hide? I am of the belief that everything a person of color does to make it to the next day is an act of rebellion especially when you sprinkle a little joy into the occasion)
