Derek’s Diary

After having been closed for almost three months from early August to late October, I was happy to learn a little over a week ago (better late than never) that Cinéma du Parc has re-opened its doors to Montreal fans of independent and international film! Though gone are the tattered movie wall posters and the little plush chairs that lent the small theater its quirky and rebellious charm, its new owner, Roland Smith, remains committed to presenting quality alternative films to those Montrealers, like myself, who have grown tired of the endless stream of mostly forgettable and brain-numbing Hollywood blockbusters.

To mark the opening of the theater (and to save some money), Desiree and I each bought a $40 movie card that allows each of us to watch eight movies before April next year. So far, we’ve watched three very different and unique films:

• Nadia’s Journey
• Bobby
• A Year in the Death of Jack Richards

Sadly, when we attended the evening showing of each of these films, most of the seats in the theater were empty. Though I try to remain optimistic that this is just a sign that not many people are yet aware that Cinéma du Parc has re-opened and that this time the theater will have a much longer and successful third life, in the back of my mind, I can’t help but think that the empty seats are a bad omen that the theater may once again just fade away into Montreal repertory movie theater history.

Let’s hope that its fans will not let that happen! Support quality film in Montreal and please buy more tickets to Cinéma du Parc!

Further reading:

• Third time lucky?

Tonight was Cinema du Parc’s closing night. To celebrate CDP’s five years in business and to enjoy one last week of repertory movies, Desiree and I have seen six movies at the CDP since last Friday:

• Amores perros (Love’s a Bitch or Loves Dogs)
• Trainspotting
• La Mala educación (The Bad Education)
• Girl With a Pearl Earring
• Lost in Translation
• Clean

Tonight we had also wanted to see Eraserhead, their last show of the evening (and forever), but unfortunately, by the time we got there, it was sold out.

Despite this last disappointment, I was mostly pleased with the movies that we did get to see. Of these, I particularly enjoyed Amores Perros and Girl With a Pearl Earring, but was unimpressed with Lost in Translation. Coincidentally, Scarlett Johannson played in both Girl With a Pearl Earring and Lost in Translation. Though it had its humorous moments, Lost in Translation had a dull and mostly pointless story in which Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson were a very unlikely and mismatched pair. Girl With a Pearl Earring was a much more interesting film for which Johannson was a perfect fit.

This morning, I was disappointed to hear on CBC Radio that Montreal’s last remaining English repertory movie theater, Cinema du Parc, will be closing its doors on August 3. No longer will I be able to go to my favourite theater to see a documentary or international film. Films that I’ve seen at Cinema du Parc include Farentheit 9-11, The Corporation, Sisters in Law, and most recently, the South African film Wah-Wah. Before the theater closes, I’ll try to see a few more films, one of which will likely be The Road to Guantanamo. However, once Cinema du Parc closes its doors, the only place left in Montreal where I’ll be able to watch an English documentary will be at the Grande Bibliotheque.