The MCQ Film Club - The Beginning
by Eleonore Guité
I’ve always loved a good club — a choir club, a photo club, a cooking club — and during quarantine, I wanted to do something bigger than a film night in my house.
My idea was to start a Film Club. When I meet new people or old friends, we often have discussions about the new Blockbuster movie or a film from twenty years ago. A film club gives people a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in something entertaining and social. It is a terrific way to take charge, interact with people, and pursue your passions. I feel it is also a great way to keep yourself busy and to develop a sense of belonging.
I was thrilled when my friend Julie Miller from CASE-MCQ liked my suggestion of starting a film club. So we joined forces and Julie got Hilary Pratt plus other resourceful CASE staff to lend a hand.
It definitely helps to have a team to support you. We split the workload between us. Hilary suggested a movie catered to our public, Geneviève looked after flyers and communications, and Andrew found the café for our meetings.
When we first started, we wanted to plan something before the screening to warm everyone up — meet for scones, tea and discussion before the movie — but it didn’t work out and we found it easier to just invite everyone for coffee afterwards.
The invitation was out. The moment of truth had arrived. We think: is this going to work? Are we crazy?
On May 26, around 25 people came to see the movie: Downton Abbey: A New Era at Cinéma Fleur de Lys in Trois-Rivières. A good crowd for a weekday afternoon! As we sat silently in the theatre, we were transported to the roaring 1920s. Some of the people hadn’t followed the series, but the movie was nonetheless quite funny and entertaining.
After the movie, we headed out to Maman Fournier, a nice, friendly family restaurant. We pulled some tables together and gathered there, 12 attendees and 3 CASE staff: Audrey, Andrew and I. Lots of laughs were heard as we got to meet and chat with each other about the movie.
Afterwards, people asked when we were going to do it again. In the end, I guess our idea wasn’t too crazy. When someone comes up to us after a screening and says they loved it, it makes it worthwhile.
Did you enjoy your time at the movies as much as we did? If so, please tell us in the comments. Be sure to let us know if you want to be part of our movie date next month.
