The pros and cons of watching a 13 hour film at… | Little White Lies

The pros and cons of watching a 13 hour film at the cinema

Published 13 Nov 2015

Words by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Help our writer to decide whether she should take on the ultimate cine-challenge: Jacques Rivette’s Out 1

To the delight of London cinephiles, Badlands Collective and A Nos Amours recently announced a rare screening of Jacques Rivette’s Out 1. This notorious 1971 feature comprising of ten, roughly 90 minute episodes charts the obscure, cloak-and-dagger activities of two rival theatre troupes. It is set to be screened across two days – Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November – at The Prince Charles Cinema in London, and frankly, I’m torn as to whether this kind of gigantic investment in the glory of cinema might turn out to be a big ol’ waste of time.

Pros of going

  • To support the passionate endeavours of Badlands and A Nos Amours.
  • Some say it is a masterpiece.
  • Cosy, social things will be happening when the film is not playing. There will be a dinner on Saturday night.
  • It’s not going to be screened again any time soon. Miss it. Miss Out (1).
  • This has the potential to be one of the screening events of eternity.

Cons of going

  • There goes the weekend.
  • Haven’t heard of or read a case for Out 1’s masterpiece status that truly lands.
  • Had a bad experience last time I tried to watch 13 hours of film at the cinema. Looking at you, Berlin Alexanderplatz.
  • Sitting silently on a solitary seat in a dark room confronted by a flickering images that do not interest is a high-brow form of torture.
  • It would be worse to go and be a hater than to not go and never know.

What are your thoughts on this screening and extended cinema experiences in general? Let us know @LWLies

Buy tickets to see Out 1 at princecharlescin​e​ma​.com

You might like

Subscribe to LWLies Weekly

Want to keep up with all things film? Our free weekly newsletter drops every Friday, bringing you the latest film news, reviews and features, plus discounts and extras from Team LWLies.