Written by Victoria Rhodes (Cinema Supervisor)
Have you ever wondered what our cinema projector looks like? How we get the films we show to Orkney, or how we plan the cinema schedule? Sunday 29 January is the time to find out – as part of the Pickaquoy Centre’s ActiveLife and Wellness Open Day, we’re inviting everyone to come along for a real look behind the scenes at the Phoenix.
So how can cinema help improve your health and wellbeing?
Watching films is a wonderful social activity; cinemas bring together all kinds of people, from all walks of lives, and can help people feel more like a part of their community. The communal experience of watching a film on the big screen is widely recognised as being beneficial to mental health. It can boost your mood, help you to relax, and research has shown that people regularly engaging in cultural activity and social interaction may be less prone to anxiety and depression.
Cinema should entertain and inspire; watching a film can be a powerful experience, whether it encourages you to think about and empathise with experiences outside of your own, or lifts your mood and creates a positive effect on your overall mental wellbeing. It can also be a way of raising awareness and understanding of important issues, and watching films which address these in an appropriate way can help people to explore their own emotions and relate to those of others.
From 4-5pm this Sunday, members of the cinema team will be on hand to chat about all things cinema, and offer a brief tour of the projection room and describe how our cinema operates. Our film screenings that day will also be at a low price, to encourage as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the big screen experience.
At 1pm, we’re offering another chance to see new Disney animation STRANGE WORLD, about a family of explorers on an amazing adventure. Tickets are our Phoenix Kids prices – only £2.95 for everyone!
At 6pm we’re showing EMPIRE OF LIGHT, a moving British drama exploring the magic of cinema and the power of human connection, written and directed by Sam Mendes and starring Olivia Colman. All tickets for this screening are 20% off – this is the discount ActiveLife members currently get on cinema tickets, so it’s a good way to see first-hand how much you could save.
Throughout the rest of the Open Day, there will be a wide range of free activities on offer around Picky to demonstrate how an ActiveLife membership can improve your health and wellbeing. This includes Group X classes, kids activities, sports sessions and pool sessions. A Wellness Fair will be available in the Pool Viewing Gallery, where NHS organisations and charities will be showcasing their services. And the Picky Cafe will be open from 1000 – 1600, so you can refuel throughout the day.
For full details and how to book for each activity click here: ActiveLife and Wellness Open Day.