Underground Cinema is returning to Melbourne in November to present the latest instalment of their sneaky immersive film experience: HOTEL.
The guys from UGC have been touring Sydney and Melbourne for the last nine years, getting started when the idea of immersive film was a mere dust particle on the lens of post-modern cinematographers everywhere.
If you’re still confused, Kirstyn Paul from UGC explains: “Immersive cinema is an experience where we bring to life a part of a film for our guests to explore and engage with. We ask guests to dress to a theme and they might have missions or actors speak to them. You can engage as much or as little as you want.”
As for the ‘hotel’ theme, Paul says to think of it like a code word.
“It’s a clue to the world you’re about to enter,” she says “This time we’re going back to the 1930s and there’s definitely a sense of elegance and luxury.”
To give you a better sense of what to expect, the previous theme was ‘DELIRIUM’, where guests were asked to dress as Federal Marshals and the surprise film was Shutter Island.
The themes as always are open to interpretation and encourage guests to get as creative or weird as they like.
“Last time we had somebody come as a magnifying glass,” she says “It was really funny because they had to sit there the whole time with this huge thing on their head.”
Whether you’re a returning film aficionado or popping your underground cinema cherry, each experience explores a different theme or genre, so there’s always something new and exciting.
“Secrecy is a big part of what we do,” Paul says “We pick a secret film, announce a film and build the narrative online all before guests even step on site, so they have a bit of an understanding of the world they’re going to enter."
“If you’re a regular you still have a completely different experience every time and get to go along in your own journey,” she says.
As for the location, we tried and tried (and then tried some more) to get a hint of where it might be, but all we can tell you is that it’s supposedly “stunning”, in Melbourne CBD and guests might recognise it. But, Paul assures us, you’ve never seen it like this before.
Guests will receive a text and email the day prior to the event to reveal the location, but the movie remains a mystery until arrival.
There’s also an added ‘nourishment’ package this time, which Paul says is like a “grazing style service” of snacks to keep your idle hands busy while your imagination runs wild.
Tickets go on sale at 1pm today, but you’ll have to be quick to make a reservation at the HOTEL because this one is expected to run out of vacancy, stat.
The Details
Where: Who knows? It’s a secret.
When: 22 November, from 7:30pm
For more info, click here.
Speaking of cult cinema experiences, Tommy Wiseau just uploaded The Room to YouTube.
Image credit: Underground Cinema