My First Movie Experience: A Journey Through Time

From struggling with the realities of my first movie to the joyous and serendipitous experiences that unfolded, my journey into the world of cinema has been filled with both challenges and marvels. In this article, I will share my first movie experiences and how they shaped my perception of films.

The First Movie: A Mennonite-Urban Encounter

Growing up in a Mennonite family, I was sheltered from the world of cinema. There was a television just for watching the news, but no movies. It was more a sense of peace and simplicity, a way to stay rooted in our community’s traditions and values.

One summer, at the age of 12, my life took an unexpected turn. My first friend outside the community, Josie, introduced me to the outside world of literature and possibly, more importantly, movies. Josie had an older brother who brought us to his place one evening, and he mentioned renting a movie for us to watch. Being rebellious and curious, the idea of watching a movie for the first time was exhilarating.

The movie turned out to be Ken Park. I still remember the opening and end scenes vividly. I was not prepared for the stark realism and the upsetting content. The experience was unlike anything I had ever encountered. It was not a typical horror movie; it was a profound and intense film that I was not ready for. This encounter marked a significant point in my life, opening my eyes to the power of cinema. Interestingly, when I mentioned the movie to my parents, they suggested it was Flash Gordon, a movie I had no recollection of, and later I watched it on TV feeling like it was my first exposure to it.

Discovering the Magic of The Jungle Book

Even before meeting Josie, I had a rich experience with movies, although not as memorable. The movie that first came to my mind when I was about 4 years old was The Jungle Book. Back in the early 70s, my family couldn’t afford many forms of entertainment, but my parents managed to convince a friend to watch my one-year-old sister while they took the rest of us to see a re-release of Pinocchio in a movie theater. Though I do not recall much of the actual movie, memories from that evening are vivid. I must have dozed off during most of the 92-minute film. The highlight for me was the scene where Figaro the cat leaped up and kissed Clio the fish. It was a moment of pure joy and excitement that I still treasure. Excitedly, my older brother and I danced around our home, screaming, “The cat kissed the fish!”

Drive-In Adventures

The second movie experience that sticks with me was a visit to a drive-in cinema. My family, fueled by the excitement of a newly released film, packed all six of us into our Dodge Rambler station wagon and headed to the Mar-Vista Drive-in to see The Sting. Though Redford and Newman were now household names, my journey there was filled with sleep. I was so used to falling asleep in the car during movies that this wasn't an exception. Despite the fleeting connection with cinema, the memory of being in pajamas and the comfort of a drive-in are cherished by me.

Throughout these experiences, I learned that movies can be powerful tools for personal growth and can shape our perceptions of the world around us. They also remain a source of joy and excitement, no matter how long it has been since we last watched one.