On Tuesday 5 July, Cineworld Hounslow was delighted to host a special gala screening of a British movie classic. We are, of course, talking about 2002's Bend It Like Beckham, the rousing footie-themed comedy drama that made a star out of Keira Knightley.
Here's what you need to know about the movie and what went down at our special Hounslow event.
Why is Bend It Like Beckham such a significant British movie?
First and foremost, Bend It Like Beckham is a spirited salute to diversity and overcoming one's dreams. The movie's inspirational message was channelled by director Gurinder Chadha, who brought an authentic and loving eye to the story of the football-mad Jesminder 'Jess' Bhamra (Parminder Nagra).
Defying the wishes of her family, Jess enlists in an all-women's local football team in Hounslow. There, she meets Jules (Knightley), setting the stage for a sweet-natured story of friendship and clashing cultures.
The movie was a huge box office hit upon its release and was celebrated as part of a wave of multicultural British dramas (including the hit East is East). The film was praised for its "easy humour" and "underlying integrity (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times), while also flying the flag for an excellent supporting cast.
Flanking the charismatic duo of Nagra and Knightley are Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and All Saints' Shaznay Lewis.
The movie also showcased an authentic sense of time and place, and even featured the Hounslow Harriers Women’s Football team. Here's a clip that sums up the movie's winning spirit.
Who were the special guests at the Cineworld Hounslow gala screening?
In the spirit of the film, Cineworld Hounslow was thrilled to host a visit from some West London footballing legends: the Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) and their women's football team. The latter is currently competing in the FA Women's National League and recently won 2-1 at home against Norwich City.
And people even got stuck into the action on the day! We wanted to find out who could kick a football the hardest via our Football Cage Prize event. Lucky individuals not only went on to win a free popcorn but also a number of exciting footie-themed prizes including signed QPR jersies and footballs.
Watch our fun video from the gala in which we're joined by QPR Trust and ambassadors from Her Game Too. Catch QPR's mascot Jude the Cat who appears at the end.
You can also check out our photos from the event and see how people turned out to champion a British movie classic.
What is the history of Cineworld Hounslow?
Cineworld Hounslow opened on 27 May with a very special gala event, making history as the first cinema in Hounslow for 40 years. The cinema is located in the town's High Street Quarter and features no fewer than 10 state-of-the-art screens.
Among the screens at Cineworld Hounslow is a brand-new ScreenX auditorium. Exclusive to Cineworld cinemas in the UK and Ireland, ScreenX delivers a breathtaking 270-degree, wraparound viewing experience to put the audience right at the heart of the drama. It's the perfect for new blockbuster releases like Thor: Love and Thunder in which Chris Hemsworth returns to his role as the iconic Marvel superhero.
Cineworld Hounslow also offers the Superscreen experience, in which movie-watching is taken to a whole new level by cutting-edge projection and superb multidimensional sound powered by epic Dolby Atmos speakers. The level of immersion will take your breath away.
Looking to enjoy your favourite snacks? Cineworld Hounslow serves fresh popcorn, Baskin Robbins ice cream, Rollover hot dogs and nachos, plus a range of ICEE frozen drinks.
Find out more on the Cineworld Hounslow Facebook page. To book your tickets, click here.
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