Aberdeen film fans will be able to see the city on the big screen in Tetris after all – in Peterhead.
Earlier this month, director Jon S Baird appealed for Aberdeen City Council to reopen the Belmont Filmhouse for special showings of his new movie.
Despite excitement among movie fans, local authority chiefs quickly ruled it out.
The blow left the director “disappointed” and scores of film buffs uhappy.
But there’s now been a plot twist worthy of Hitchcock…
The Arc Cinema – in the filmmaker’s hometown of Peterhead – has come to “save the day” three years after he cut the ribbon on the building.
After hearing about the setback, management reached out to Mr Baird.
And even though he was at the film’s world premiere in Texas that night, he wasted no time in replying.
Pretty soon, the deal was done.
Filming for #Hollywood movie #Tetris underway in Aberdeen. pic.twitter.com/l3UV6CNRM0
— Tormod MacLeod (@scalpach) February 21, 2021
Peterhead director ‘proud’ as Arc Cinema confirms Tetris plans
A delighted Mr Baird told us: “I couldn’t be more proud that my hometown cinema has stepped in to screen Tetris for north-east audiences.
“I’m still disappointed that Aberdeen City Council couldn’t secure the necessary permissions to reopen the Belmont.
“But Arc Cinema in Peterhead really pulled out the stops to make sure the film will be seen on the big screen.”
Tetris screening now falling into place after being blocked
Marketing manager for the Nottingham-based cinema chain, Mark Gallagher, explained how the idea all came about thanks to the boss of the Peterhead venue.
It was seeing our coverage that gave Laura Daramola the idea to bring Tetris to the Blue Toon.
Speaking to us just hours after sealing the agreement with Apple bigwigs, Mr Gallagher said: “Jon S Baird opened the cinema for us in 2020, so we still had his contact details.
“We sent him an email saying it would be great for us to ‘save the day’.
“He quickly replied and put us in touch with the distributor, and it all worked out.”
Would you travel to Peterhead for the film? Let us know in our comments section below
When can I see Tetris at the Arc Cinema in Peterhead?
The film will be released on Apple TV+ on Friday March 31.
The Arc Cinema will be showing it that night at 8pm, and at various times until the next Thursday.
You can book tickets here.
Read more about the wrangle between the director and the council here.
First look review: Tetris movie is as bright and colourful as the tumbling blocks themselves
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