Short story: The Last Function

For as long as I can remember, the old cinema "La Estrella" has been my refuge, a place where dreams were projected on the big screen and reality faded away for a couple of hours. Its time-worn facade still retains a special charm; the red brick walls and flashing neon letters tell stories of laughter, tears and shared moments. Every corner of that cinema is impregnated with memories that connect me with my roots and with my family.

My Saturdays were sacred. My grandfather Manuel, a lover of classic cinema, used to take me to see the films that marked his youth. I remember how we entered the cinema together, he with his leisurely gait and I excited, almost running towards the box office. The smell of freshly made popcorn greeted us like a warm hug. The red velvet armchairs, although a little worn, were comfortable and cozy. As the light dimmed and the projector began to turn, I felt that each film was a window to another world.

One day, while going through old photographs of the home theater, Lucas, my friend since childhood and a technology enthusiast, surprised me with a news that would change everything. "Clara," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "they've opened a new multiplex in the mall. They have IMAX screens and reclining seats. You have to go!". The emotion in his voice was contagious, but at the same time I felt a twinge of nostalgia. What would happen to "The Star"? Could a new cinema compete with the memories he had created there?

Determined to explore this new cinematic experience, I decided to invite my friends to join me: Sofia, a brilliant film critic and always ready to share her incisive opinions; and Javier, a lover of classic cinema who was reluctant to leave the old theaters. Together we agreed to visit the new multiplex on a Saturday afternoon.

When I arrived at the mall, my expectations were high but also full of doubts. The entrance of the multiplex was imposing; huge illuminated posters advertised the latest Hollywood movies. As I walked through the automatic doors, I found myself in a spacious and Moderna lobby where everything seemed designed to impress. Long lines to buy tickets had been replaced by automated machines that issued tickets in seconds. A large digital screen showed the schedules of the performances and the trailers of the films.

"This is awesome," Lucas said as he settled into his reclining seat in the screening room. I looked around; the seats were comfortable and spacious, but something was missing. Javier frowned seeing how everyone was engrossed in their phones before the movie started. "I don't know... there is no soul here," he muttered scornfully.

As the movie began to be projected on the giant screen, I couldn't help but remember the magical nights at "The Star". There every screening was a ritual; the sound of the projector turning, the murmur of the audience anticipating what was to come and the unmistakable aroma of freshly made popcorn filling the air. On the other hand, everything here seemed cold and distant; even the surround sound seemed more artificial.

After the show, I decided to propose a toast in honor of the old cinema. "The Star may not have the most advanced technology," I said as I raised my glass in a small coffee shop in the mall where we had gathered after the movie, "but he has something that multiplexes will never be able to match: a story." My friends nodded; Sofia smiled as she reflected on what she had said.

As time passed, I realized that my love for cinema went beyond the simple act of watching movies; I wanted to capture those stories and share them with others. That's how my idea was born: to make a documentary about the evolution of cinema in our town.

I started interviewing people who had passed through "La Estrella", including my grandfather Manuel and other neighbors who had fond memories of the place.

Manuel shared stories about how he went to the cinema when he was young. He talked about the days when movies would be screened for weeks and how that allowed the community to come together again and again to enjoy the same movie. "It was like a ritual”" he would say wistfully. "People would come to laugh or cry together."

Lucas was also part of the documentary; his perspective on the new multiplex was fascinating. He talked about how technology had changed the way we experience cinema: "IMAX screens are amazing; they make you feel like you're inside the movie." However, he also admitted that there was something special about the old wards that could not be replaced.

Sofia analyzed how both experiences offered different perspectives on the same cinematographic art. "Cinema is a way of telling stories,” he said as we reviewed the recordings together. "But it's also a way to connect with other people.”

Finally, I decided to organize a special screening at "The Star". I wanted to show my documentary followed by a classic film to celebrate both the old and the new. The news quickly spread through the village; friends and family began to talk about the event.

The day came and the old cinema was full to the brim. The atmosphere was magical; the dim lights illuminated the expectant faces as everyone settled into their seats. After screening my documentary, I presented "Casablanca", a timeless film that had been one of my grandfather's favorites.

At the end of the evening, while everyone was sharing laughs and memories in the lobby of the old cinema, I understood something fundamental: it was not about choosing between the old and the new; both worlds could coexist harmoniously. The essence of cinema lies not only in its technology or its physical presentation; it resides in the stories it tells and the human connections it creates.

With the passage of time, "La Estrella" continued to screen classic films while the new multiplex filled its theaters with the latest releases. I became a renowned local filmmaker advocating to preserve the history of cinema while embracing innovation.

That was how I learned to value both cinematic worlds: one full of nostalgia and human warmth, the other vibrant and innovative. In that small town where two realities coexisted, the memories of the past continued to illuminate the screens of the present, always reminding us that the true art of cinema resides not only in how it is shown but also in how it makes us feel and connect with each other.








Source of the images.
Image created with Starryai.