Film fans from across the north-east descended on Peterhead to see the local premiere of the new Tetris movie – and one had a very special reason for being there.
The picture, directed by the Blue Toon’s Jon S Baird, was partly filmed in Aberdeen and was beamed onto the big screen in his hometown for the first time on Friday night.
The Press and Journal attended, speaking with an Aberdeen couple who watched the filming taking place two years ago.
Over the course of several days in February 2021, Hollywood A-lister Taron Egerton was spotted filming various scenes as the city stood in for Soviet-era Moscow.
More than two years later, the movie has finally been released.
And Fraserburgh’s Michael Will got to live his dream when he was cast as an extra.
Last night, Michael queued up for tickets at the Arc Cinema… Hoping to catch a glimpse of himself on the silver screen.
Michael Will enjoyed private serenade from Taron Egerton
The movie buff, who attended with wife Michelle Will, did five days of extra work when tinseltown rolled in to Aberdeen.
“It was so cool,” he beams.
“Seeing myself in a film on the cinema screen would be a real bucket list moment.
“I was a taxi driver and a passerby in this, but I’ve been in Outlander before and a film about Robert The Bruce.
“This one was so much fun… The director, Jon, must have been glad to have me around because I was one of the few people who could understand his Peterhead accent!”
The “huge film fan” even revealed a memorable moment shared with star Egerton between takes on the first day of filming.
The actor, known too for his impressive vocals after playing Elton John in Rocketman, wowed colleagues as he started singing a rendition of Beatles hit Here Comes The Sun.
As for whether Michael got his moment in the spotlight…
It may have been missed by some, but when the protagonist jumped in a taxi at one point, a voice from the back of the auditorium could be heard saying “that’s me!”
Fans who watched making of Tetris make trip to Peterhead
Svetlana Bova and Victor Reutsky were among the north-east film fans who donned their facemasks to stand in socially distanced crowds along Tillydrone Avenue and the Gallowgate as filming took place.
They drove from Aberdeen to Peterhead to see the finished article.
Svetlana said: “It’ll be exciting to see it on the big screen.”
‘We’ve never had a premiere in Peterhead before!’
James and Eilieen Buchan attended with daughter Sarah.
They’re family friends with director Baird’s local relatives.
James said: “We’ve never had a premiere in Peterhead before so we thought we better come along!
“We’ve had a great interest in his career and it’s good to see someone doing so well.”
Excited to finally see Tetris tonight in Peterhead! Here’s some pictures I got when it was filmed around the corner from me in early 2021… Is anyone else travelling through from Aberdeen? pic.twitter.com/fZqBRPumsg
— Ben Hendry (@BenHendry1) March 31, 2023
Still plenty time to see Tetris in Peterhead
Hopes had been raised that Aberdeen’s Belmont Filmhouse could be reopened for special screenings.
After the council ruled that out, the Arc Cinema in director Baird’s hometown stepped in to save the day.
#Tetris lands on @AppleTVPlus today 🎉
The @screenscots backed film starring Taron Egerton tells the astonishing story behind one of the world’s biggest video games.
We spoke with director Jon S Baird about what it meant to him to shoot the film in North East Scotland ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2Hg9py6yKz
— Screen Scotland (@screenscots) March 31, 2023
The comedy drama is out now on Apple TV+.
But for people hoping to catch it on the big screen, it’ll be playing at the Arc Cinema until Thursdsay.
It’s already been picking up some positive reviews, including from our own Ewan Cameron:
First look review: Tetris movie is as bright and colourful as the tumbling blocks themselves
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