What: The Devil’s Backbone
When: Thursday, Aug. 23, 9 p.m.
Where: Lost Lake Park
Tickets: $5/$3
The decline of the 1950s and 1960s drive in movie was largely attributed to an increase in ticket prices, which resulted from the rising economics of real estate.
Whistlerites can sympathize with the problem, when the average Whistler home is $1.4 million.
But LUNA (Late Unique Nighttime Alternatives), a local non-profit which hosts weekly inexpensive, booze-free events for young adults, refuels the historic pastime — only teens won’t be able to stuff friends in their car trunk to skip out on ticket fares.
Not that movie lovers would need to, a night out with LUNAFliks parks audiences on blankets and lawn chairs for a movie under a starry sky for only $3 for LUNA members (patrons ages 18 to 29) and $5 for anyone older.
Every fair-weathered Thursday night a giant outdoor screen flashes films into action with stars both in the sky and on the ground in one of Whistler’s most picturesque parks.
Follow the glow of community spirit down a path lined with tea lights in brown paper bags to the entrance booth. It’s a grassroots affair with local volunteers taking your ticket stubs.
Instead of dancing popcorn commercials, crowds waiting for dusk can set up a lawn chair and enjoy the summer beats of guest DJs.
There is nothing like beating the late-night summer chill wrapped in a blanket with your friends at your side and your dog at your feet.
Locally produced films are screened before the feature film presentation. Don’t expect Hollywood blockbusters on the playbill. Independent flicks rule the screen, getting people both outside of dark theatres and standard motion picture monsters.
This week, the sensational DJ Steve Jiu spins out a laid-back vibe at 9 p.m. Followed by local short films Fluff Face by Robjn Taylor, and Kali by S.MacKay-Smith.
The feature film of the night is The Devil’s Backbone, written and directed by Gullermo del Toro of Pan’s Labyrinth fame. Del Toro describes the film as his favourite and a sibling film to Pan’s Labyrinth. The film follows the story of a 10-year-old boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve) who is forced to stay in an orphanage in the middle of nowhere following the Spanish civil war. The boy is haunted by a ghost who warns the boy of his impending doom. Is the fear real or only in Carlos’s mind?
Bring something soft to sit on, warm clothing, a picnic and friends, and leave the booze at home.
Catch a WAVE bus starting at 9 p.m. for 50 cents at the bus loop outside of Skier’s Plaza.
Films are cancelled in the event of rain. Check the LUNA hotline at 604-966-4800 for updates.
