World Movies Secret Cinema Is Back in Sydney

At a speed that’d give Usain Bolt a run for his money, traditional forms of information dissemination — and knowledge storage — are slipping through our fingers. Album cover art has been all but resigned to museum relic status. Kindle has more or less stolen the fire from the print press. Newspapers are dropping off like flies.

Don’t get me wrong. There are zillions of things to love about the internet. Like downloading every single one of Hitchcock’s films, being able to Google Shakespeare’s entire oeuvre and writing this in my pyjamas.

But, should cinema ever be cast into the digitally dictated funeral pyre, I’ll cry a Pacific Ocean of cyber tears. So, thank god that the film creatives of this world keep on keeping up ways to keep it relevant. Exotic festivals, underground shenanigans and immersive experiences have been inspiring us to unplug and jump off the couch in droves.

And thankfully, World Movies Secret Cinema is back. In fact, it’s triple back. Given that previous sessions have sold out in 15 minutes, 2014 will see five screenings over three days (April 11-13) — in a venue that’s never been used before for anything. Needless to say, the event’s classified nature means that there’s not much else we can tell you.

But we do remember last October. In response to a last-minute clue sent by text, guests gathered at King Street Wharf. After boarding a boat — destination unknown — they were handed backpacks containing maps, water and weapons, which, they were told, might be necessary to survival.

No wild beasts were encountered on Goat Island, but filmgoers did get to watch performances from TaikOz and burlesque artists, show off their Bruce Lee-esque moves in a martial arts lesson, eat and drink harbourside and, finally, watch the director’s cut of Battle Royale at their very own private island cinema. Oh, and witness a real-life, blood-soaked, dramatic death scene.

Unfortunately, ticket prices have nearly doubled since last time to $63.15 (including booking fee), but that should mean the production values are equally increased. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 12, at 9am via Oztix. They include a complimentary beverage and snack from Salt Meats Cheese. Session times are Friday, April 11, at 7pm; Saturday, April 12, at 12.30pm and 7pm; and Sunday, April 13, at 12:30pm and 7pm.