Last weekend at the glorious Plaza cinema in Truro there was a one off 35mm screening of Inception presented by none other than Dr Mark 'best quiff in the business' Kermode. Being one of approximately four special screenings a year, past films include Kermode's beloved Silent Running, Kurbick's masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, the uplifting Good Vibrations, William Friedkin's thriller Sorcerer and Terry Gilliam's brilliant yet bonkers Brazil.
The day prior to the event I was fortunate enough to receive a guided tour of the Plaza by the manager Stuart, who was kind enough to show me around the four screens whilst recounting the history of the Plaza itself. Opened in February 1936 the Plaza has had a long and colourful history. It has changed ownership several times over the years but in 1997 WTW cinemas finalised the purchase of the Plaza after which extensive renovation work was carried out, and it finally re-opened its doors to the public in 1998. Whilst on the tour I even got to glimpse a sneak peek at the 35mm print of Inception which was a real treat for a cinephile like myself.
An enthusiastic packed house turned up on an less than autumnal Saturday evening ready to view Christopher Nolan's mind blowing blockbuster. After a brief introduction from the good doctor the house lights went down and two and a half hours of awe inspiring cinema began. Afterwards, fresh from basking in Nolan's brilliance a Q&A session with Dr Kermode promptly started, mixing his in depth and insightful thoughts with audience interaction. Ranging from Hans Zimmer's illustrious score to dispelling the myth that Warners Brothers let Nolan make Inception as a gift, no Inception related stone was left unturned that evening.
It was thrilling to see Inception on the silver screen, having missed the initial cinematic release back in 2011. Being only the second time of watching Nolan's complex masterpiece it was every bit as breathtaking as the first, seeing Paris fold into itself will never lose its impact and I left the screening with Edith Piaf's Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien ringing in my ears. If you ever find yourself in Truro make sure you pay a visit to The Plaza which is independent cinema at its best. In December there will be two consecutive screening of Monty Python's Life of Brian (introduced by Mark) which has finally had its ban lifted after 30 years! If you fancy popping along details can be found here, but hurry tickets are selling faster than you can say 'He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy'!
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