The Shining Forwards and Backwards

Overview

Have you seen The Shining so many times that you exclaim "here's Johnny!" whenever you walk into a room? That's understandable — Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's horror classic is one of the best and most beloved frightfests of all time. It's even about to get a sequel. If you're a super Shining fan, no doubt you've seen Room 237, which dives deep into the many, many theories surrounding the film. But, have you watched the flick forwards and backwards?

As started as a fascinating experiment back in 2011, then mentioned in 2012 documentary and even doing the rounds of select festivals afterwards, The Shining Forwards and Backwards is exactly what it sounds like. The film will be played both forwards and backwards at the same time, with one superimposed over the other. The results: well, let's just say some aspects of the movie coincide in an uncanny way thanks to Kubrick's love of symmetry.

Experience it for yourself on February 10, with Brisbane cult film buff Kristian Fletcher hosting a screening at Metro Arts' Lumen Room at 7.30pm. Or, if you'd rather just stick with the regular — and excellent — flick, it's playing in its usual format beforehand at 5pm, and at 9.30pm on February 9 as well.