Entering through the doors of Metro Cinema’s headquarters, you immediately sense that you’re stepping into a neighbourhood landmark. Many influential artists and thinkers have passed through for various film festivals, such as the celebration of Aboriginal art and culture in Dreamspeakers to the celebration of all things delicious at Relish Food on Film to Deadfest, a uniquely Albertan horror film fest.
Katie Sowden, the communications manager at the movie theatre, describes other standouts at the theatre. “I like that there’s the opportunity to have special events surrounding film[s]. The cartoon and cereal party is a really good example!” Saturday mornings have become a favourite here as movie-goers eat a bowl of their favourite cereal (in their pajamas, if they wish), while watching a trickster rabbit nibble on carrots and offhandedly ask: Eh … what’s up doc?
“It’s the kind of thing you can’t really do at a big Cineplex – those kinds of events just don’t exist. That’s [why it’s] my favourite thing. Even simple things like wine and cheese after a show or a Q & A with people related to a film or sometimes we do a photo booth – I love all that kind of stuff!” says Katie
