Roses are red, film is an art;
Cinema, you have my heart!
I vividly remember the first time I sat in a cinema’s red seats, clutching Pick ’n’ Mix and stepping into that hushed, expectant world. I was six, taken by my dad to see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The foyer was filled with music and decorations; it felt like stepping into Hogwarts itself. That excitement has never faded—every time I go to the pictures I still feel like a child.
Regardless of the chain or the style—a cosy Everyman, a D-Box experience at a multiplex, a classic screening at a Picturehouse—each visit brings a comforting atmosphere. Staff smiles, the scent of popcorn, the hush before lights go down: all of it creates a shared ritual. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers, we experience the same laughs and gasps, sorrow and wonder. The sense of community is tangible, even if the couple at the back are too distracted to notice the film.
But above all, cinema makes me feel love. I feel it watching Bridget Jones chase her imperfect happily-ever-after, in the shared sweetness of a soda and M&M’s, and in the joy of seeing a beloved sequel on the big screen. Cinema has also been the bridge to my personal relationships: a first date at the movies led to long conversations about films and eventually to a deep bond with someone who shares my passion. We bond over quotes, soundtracks and small tributes like a Blade Runner–inspired origami unicorn. Cinema gave us a language and a world in which our connection could flourish.
Happy Valentine’s, my love.
Your not-so-secret admirer,
Beth x