BEYOND your wildest fantasy fears. Sigourney Weaver in the original iteration of ‘Alien’, directed by Ridley Scott. Photograph courtesy horrorfreaknews.com

THE CULTURE OF the scary flick has a long following which was as much about the physiologically kick of a big fright as it was about being safely ensconced in the audience and not being susceptible to the grasp of an Agatha Christie baddie or the psychopath that pops out of Alfred Hitchcock’s directorial pen. But in this world of really scary issues and possibilities, where murder has become so commonplace it often doesn’t make it to the news, and where the gun-wielding psychopath could be readying himself to show up at your high school, to say nothing of the climate emergency, internecine warfare everywhere you can think of, and the asteroid on its way, can we still see the value of scariness as entertainment?

“In space no one can hear you scream” was the famous tag line that got 1970s audiences sitting on the edge of their seats. Directed in 1979 by Ridley Scott, Alien was the quintessential horror film of its time that reflected, entertainingly on a situation we thought we’d never encounter personally, but one which gave us all the necessary thrills and chills.

Cinema Nouveau is dedicated to anyone who truly loves film, including the avid fan who can quote every line and knows every insider detail of the cinematic greats. Cinema Nouveau therefore introduces Rewind Rebels, a monthly screening of iconic movies where fans can experience the classics as they were made to be seen – on the big screen.

And because it’s Hallowe’en this week Thursday October 31, they’re kicking off with a sci-fi horror. Alien, since recognised as a cult classic, has been repeatedly ranked as one of the greatest films of all time. Since its release, Alien has thrilled viewers with its blend of horror, sci-fi and realism, and ripped into the psyche of audiences everywhere with one of the most shocking (and frequently parodied) scenes ever filmed. You can watch the trailer here.

Experience the craftsmanship that earned the film scores of awards when the 40th Anniversary Reissue of Alien screens at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Rosebank, Brooklyn and V&A, on 31 October 2019 at 8pm. Arrive at 7pm to soak in the Alien vibe, dress up, if you wish to, enjoy complimentary drinks and capture yourself and your friends in the cinema’s photo booth frame.

• Cinema Nouveau will screen one show only, and in collaboration with My View, is offering two sets of two free tickets each to the Alien screening in either Brooklyn, Pretoria, or V&A, Cape Town. All you need to do is drop an email to My View — on robynsassen@gmail.com — stating the following: Your name, your cell number, the Cinema Nouveau complex where you will be on 31 October, and the name of the director of the first iteration of Alien in 1979, by 12pm tomorrow, Tuesday October 29. The draw will take place at 5pm on October 29 and winners will be notified on My View’s facebook page.
• For news and updates, go to Facebook page: Ster-Kinekor and follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @sterkinekor or @nouveaubuzz. For all queries, call Ticketline on 0861 Movies (668 437).