Following the launch of Reel Talk back in November, Wednesday 13 May saw the return of this sociable film club to the David Lean Cinema – and once again, the room was full of thoughtful conversation, new connections and local film lovers keen to get under the skin of a bold movie together.
This time, we screened Die My Love – Lynne Ramsay’s dark psychological drama starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. And we also welcomed a very special guest to the stage – BAFTA award-winning actress, Joanna Scanlan.
(Video courtesy of Olive Tree Productions)
Arrival
On arrival, guests were once again handed their Blockbuster Membership Card. This nostalgic nod to old-school video rental stores also doubled up as a drinks token (with guests exchanging it at the bar for a complimentary NICE red or white wine, a MOTH Margarita cocktail, or a soft drink).
Alongside drinks, everyone received their own popcorn box filled with pick ’n’ mix sweets and pretzels – the perfect cinema snack combo.
Guests also passed through The (NO) Name Badge Station, where they picked a sticker featuring a film they’d seen. Like last time, it proved to be a brilliantly simple icebreaker, helping conversations start before the film had even begun.
Setting the Scene
This time around, we were excited to welcome BAFTA award-winning actress, Croydon resident and David Lean Cinema patron, Joanna Scanlan, to join Pilar and Louis on stage for a pre and post screening chat.
She completely understood the assignment and what we’re trying to create through these ‘Reel’ Talk evenings. Honest, funny, thoughtful and refreshingly candid (no spoilers here!), Joanna wasn’t afraid to share her genuine reactions to the film, sparking plenty of discussion and encouraging the audience to really sit with its themes and emotional complexity.
She also spoke beautifully about where her own love of film and cinema came from, the role cinema has played throughout her life, and why shared cultural spaces like independent cinemas remain so important in society.
The dynamic between Joanna, Pilar and Louis made for a genuinely engaging discussion – one that felt intelligent without being intimidating, and open enough for everyone to confidently join in.
In fact, once the credits rolled, there was no holding this audience back! Guests shared strong opinions, different interpretations and deeply personal reflections on the film. Some spoke about their own experiences with post-partum struggles, while others debated which moments in the story felt grounded in reality and which may have existed only in the protagonist’s imagination. The result was exactly the kind of open, thoughtful and emotionally honest conversation Reel Talk was designed to create.
Encouraging Conversations
As with our first event, we designed the evening to make it easy for strangers to talk, connect and reflect together after the screening.
The Video Rental Store returned and proved just as popular second time around. Incentivised by prizes (!) guests opened VHS cases and answered the discussion prompts hidden inside (collecting stickers for every conversation they had).
The room quickly filled with chats between people who had never met before – all sparked by questions inspired by the film’s themes. Congratulations again to Sam, whose commitment to the game won him two free tickets for a future David Lean Cinema screening of his choice.
Meanwhile, our postcard station took a more reflective turn this time, inviting guests to create a postcard for their younger self. Armed with craft materials, stickers and pens, people got stuck in – producing everything from heartfelt advice and words of encouragement to funny messages and nostalgic reflections.
We also brought back the (One Word) Review Board, which quickly filled up with audience reactions to the film – ranging from ‘Brutal’, ‘Stifling’ and ‘Chaotic’ to ‘Primal’, ‘Unsettling’ and ‘Anthropomorphic’.
Watching people move between deep conversations, creative activities and shared reactions to the film was exactly the kind of atmosphere we hoped Reel Talk would continue to build.
What People Said
We’ve had some lovely feedback, with many people commenting on the warmth, openness and quality of the conversations throughout the night.
“Great evening and insightful post-film discussion of the themes with the ever wonderful Joanna Scanlan” – @croydonist
“Great evening and an insightful post-film discussion of the themes with the ever wonderful Joanna Scanlan” Croydonist
“David Lean Cinema and East Croydon Cool have created a space for local film fans to come together and discuss what we see on screen (and you’ll always have me with a MOTH cocktail included!)”
@izzymks“I’m not usually one for Q&A’s but you’ve fostered such a lovely environment for open discussion. It was grand!”
Sam“I had such a fabulous night watching Die My Love with film chat afterwards”
@thatblackheartedcaptain“Whoever came up with those questions in the VHS boxes is a genius – I had such meaningful chats with strangers all thanks to those prompts. Same again next time please!”
@swalkeroni
Why Reel Talk matters
At East Croydon Cool, our mission has always been to celebrate Croydon and people feel more connected to where they live and to the people around them.
In a world where so much of our entertainment is consumed alone and conversations online can often feel divisive or performative, Reel Talk offers something slower, more human and more communal. It’s about experiencing film together – then giving people the space to unpack what they felt, noticed and questioned afterwards. No film snobbery. No pressure to have the “right” interpretation. Just curiosity, conversation and connection.
And judging by the atmosphere in the room on Wednesday night, it’s clear there’s a real appetite for exactly that here in Croydon.
Reel Talk is also about supporting the space that makes it possible. The David Lean Cinema is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, and with the recent loss of another cinema in the town centre, it feels more important than ever to show up for and protect the cultural spaces we still have. More broadly, while the cinema industry continues to navigate real challenges, there are also encouraging signs of renewed interest from younger audiences – particularly Gen Z, who are rediscovering the value of shared, in-person film experiences.
With thanks to…
A huge thank you to everyone who came along, contributed to the discussion and embraced the activities so wholeheartedly.
Special thanks to Joanna Scanlan for bringing such honesty, warmth and insight to the evening, to Pilar Nalwimba and Louis Holder for once again leading such an engaging conversation, and to our partners at David Lean Cinema and sponsors at Disauthority for continuing to support the Reel Talk vision.
What’s Next
We’re already planning future Reel Talk screenings (mark your diaries for 9 Sept and 2 Dec) and can’t wait to welcome more local film lovers into the room.
Want to stay updated on future Reel Talk events, local screenings and early ticket releases? Sign up to the East Croydon Cool newsletter or the David Lean Cinema newsletter for first updates.
EAST CROYDON COOL 