Pop Up Screens

Sometimes, even the biggest cinephile begins to grow weary of the stale popcorn, the disconcertingly sticky carpets and the rhythmic rocking of your seat as some untethered child behind realises their legs can reach the back of your chair. But thankfully, there are some who devote themselves to creating handy solutions to eliminate the aforementioned issues and, well, take the cinema out of the cinema…and into the park.

This Bank Holiday weekend, Pop Up Screens did just that, bringing three cult classics, Anchorman, The Big Lebowski and Ghostbusters to Hammersmith’s Ravenscourt Park for a series of unique al fresco screenings. Unlike other outdoor screenings, Pop Up Screens offer a stripped back, simple – and reasonably priced – viewing experience. Grab a blanket, bag of popcorn and a beer, find your patch of grass in front of the screen… and wait for darkness. Much that we love these late night summer sunsets, they sure pose a problem when awaiting the correct light levels for a film projection…

Yes there was the inherent risk of rain, only exacerbated by the inevitability of showers on Bank Holiday weekends, but for diehard film fans and park lovers alike this was peripheral to the enjoyment of watching one of your favourite films in the company of other likeminded and enthusiastic folk. Some more enthusiastic than others…

Upon seeing a group of dressing-gown clad people too large to disregard as simply an ingenious method of warring away the evening chill, my Lebowski virgin friend was soon welcomed into the cult that has become of ‘The Dude’ followers. Understated yet nonetheless well orchestrated, complete with Glenlivet and cheese for Anchorman, White Russians for The Big Lebowski, and Twinkies for Ghostbusters, Pop Up Screens proves you do not need to charge extortionate entry fees to provide a thoroughly enjoyable film themed night out.

And it wasn’t just the cinema that went wild, Pop Up Screens joined forces with The Meat Chief himself, bringing the Tucker’s Exotics Meat Shack to provide the very best in fresh, exotic burgers including Buffalo, Ostrich, Springbok ,Wild Boar and Wildebeest.

Putting the screen literally on the green, Pop Up Screens was like chilling in your slightly cooler buddy’s back garden (with a hundred or so friends), watching one of your favourite films on a summer’s eve – and participating in an inevitable mass filmic karaoke. There was something about collective anticipatory laughter that makes you realise you are amongst friends – yes it may completely bemuse newcomers but if anything it works to prove film builds bridges amongst the people. Particularly where Jeff Bridges is involved.

Pop Up Screens took place at Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith from 27 – 29 May and there will be further screenings throughout the summer.

Check out the Pop Up Screens website where you can treat yourself to one of three specially designed T-shirts and posters with unique artwork inspired by these cult classics and keep up to date with where the screen might be popping up next.

Ravenscourt Park
16 Ravenscourt Avenue
Hammersmith
W6 0TN

Tel: 020 8753 4103