so last night, after deciding that i felt well enough to venture out into yet another rainy czech night, a group of us went to see 'the da vinci code'. after reserving our seats online, (SPECIFIC seats, at that) we headed to Mustek, which is a metro stop at the entrance to Wenceslas Square, where we believed the movie theatre was. However, after standing lost in the rain for about 15 minutes and asking multiple czech people we realized that we were on the wrong side of town. To top this off, contrary to newspapers and the internet, apparently there is only one movie theatre in all of Prague.
I stop my description of the night there momentarily to ask, is this a ruse that the whole city of Prague is in on? How can they have showtimes for FIVE different movie theatres and ADDRESSES and DIRECTIONS and yet have people look at you funny when you ask where they are. Prague, why must you toy with me!
Regardless, we soon found the other theatre and as we walked in I felt really homesick. Not only that though, I felt nostalgic. How can you feel nostalgic for something that was around a month ago? Isn't nostalgia supposed to kick in like 50 years later, while listening to Elvis and wearing saddle shoes? It's just funny because to me, seeing a movie isn't just about seeing the movie. It's about getting the popcorn and seeing everyone who is working or watching it with an iced cap and doughnuts after work.
The thing that added to this nostalgia, and it was more that than homesickness, was the realization that, while our two cultures may be infinitely different, a movie theatre is a movie theatre and was exactly as ours was at home. The verdict is still out on whether that is a good thing, or if it is a dangerous result of globalization but for that moment, i was so glad for it.
As for the movie, well let's just say, Mr. Hanks, you won't be receiving an Oscar for that. But the experience, (the seats were more plush and comfortable than Strawberry Hill and the washrooms- don't get me started. Each stall is like a double wide, super clean with gorgeous tile and wooden doors. And the sinks were like the one's out of Mr. and Mrs. Smith where they are above the counter...very cool.) well, it was worth every penny to bridge the cultural gap so to speak.
For those who don't work at the theatre, this may sound odd but its true...i've always said, there's just something about that place. We strolled in at 10:30, the concession stand was about to close. Since there were so many of us and we were taking awhile trying to muddle through the Czech menu, the line behind us grew. I saw the guy off to the side who was cleaning the popcorn warmer kind of look up, sigh at the line, and reopen his till to help out the one girl who was left.
And I knew exactly what he was thinking.
2 comments:
Tom "Keanu Reeves in Training" was almost as bad as the directing and more importantly dialogue. When he said "Whoa" and then "Godspeed" (especially the latter) I just about fell out of my chair. And don't even get me started on that made-up room in the church at the end. Ron "I can make even the most exciting book into a boring slow-paced movie" Howard strikes again.
awww jess, i went to a theater too in the philippines... and yes, the nostalgia certainly kicked in...(i realize the post is late, but i'm just catching up...) can't wait till you get back!
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