HOME reopens to the public from Friday, 4 September, with a cinema programme that includes Ladj Ly’s ambitious debit, Les Misérables, the gorgeously animated Away and – of course – Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, among other titles. But we couldn’t reopen without running some test events, and so over the Bank Holiday weekend we welcomed friends, supporters and staff into the building to help us test our new systems.
Events like this are crucial if we are to give everyone an amazing experience while still making sure we help fight the spread of coronavirus – and we were so touched by the messages that came flooding in over the weekend:
Amazing to be back @HOME_mcr for their “soft launch” as one of Manchester’s best cultural venues comes to life again! #Manchester pic.twitter.com/L8m3wvXzg9
— Nihal Arthanayake ?️???????????? (@TherealNihal) August 29, 2020
Lovely to come back to @HOME_mcr last night! Thanks for kind invite to soft opening. a warm-welcome and safe/socially distanced evening watching the new #LesMiserables film (excellent). Open to all from September 4th! pic.twitter.com/8lyhF9Tlpp
— Andy Mycock (@andymycock1) August 30, 2020
I helped @HOME_mcr test out the cinema yesterday. It’s so good to be back, but they’ve really gone above and beyond in terms of safety and space. There is a genuine commitment of care towards filmgoers. pic.twitter.com/5t3o17xqHn
— Tom Grieve (@thomasgrieve) August 30, 2020
It felt so good to be back @HOME_mcr yesterday. Well done @davemoutrey and the whole HOME team for the wonderful welcome. Fantastic film for the big screen @jwoodfilm pic.twitter.com/BLDjoFVNqN
— Catharine in the days of ?? (@catharinebee) August 30, 2020
Had such a lovely time at @HOME_mcr yesterday. I felt extremely safe and wouldn’t hesitate to go there again! Fab service, delicious food, seats removed, social distancing in place and really felt my safety was paramount! pic.twitter.com/ZBHo8I7jVA
— Louise Kiernan (@louise_kiernan) August 30, 2020
So happy to have watched a film and eaten pizza @HOME_mcr again. All very well organised and set to reopen this week. Pay it a visit if you can. pic.twitter.com/saSJW5Lh6W
— Leah DW (@CarpeEveryDiem) August 30, 2020
So lovely to be back at @HOME_mcr this afternoon. Enjoyed my first socially distant cinema experience and I’m excited for everyone to be welcomed back for reopening on Friday! #HOMESoon pic.twitter.com/WK1W8GiVwu
— nazma (@nazma_knows) August 30, 2020
We were proper excited to be back at Manchester’s HOME yesterday for a test re-opening. It opens to the public on the 4th Sept. @HOME_mcr pic.twitter.com/elbggGIZWi
— Northern Soul (@Northern_Soul_) August 30, 2020
We screened Les Misérables – comparable to La Haine (which we’re also showing in a 4K restoration) – which is based on director Ladj Ly’s own experiences growing up in the Parisian suburb of Montfermeil. An area of poverty and brutality in which the teenage inhabitants face a life of crime and neglect from the state, it’s also the key setting in Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name.
Our audience described the film as a “sucker punch”, “stunning”, and “one of the most powerful films I’ve seen in a long time”.
Back home from @HOME_mcr reflecting on the sucker punch that is @ladjLY’s #lesmiserables & realising how much I had missed seeing film at scale & in company. It’s a new & different feeling but it really felt the team had considered the audience experience as well as its safety
— Lara Ratnaraja (@lararatnaraja) August 29, 2020
What a stunning opening film @HOME_mcr @jwoodfilm @ladjLY #HOMEsoon pic.twitter.com/HzzLEQvqiS
— Robert Hamilton (@rhamilton54) August 29, 2020
Fantastic time @HOME_mcr today – really clearly marked routes around the building, fantastic and attentive staff and delicious food. Felt really safe throughout. Great to experience it as its getting up and running to reopen next week. #HomeSoon
— SairahSays (@SairahSays) August 29, 2020
Finally, our Director and CEO Dave Moutrey has a short message for those who are wondering if they’ll get the same lovely feeling from a socially-distanced visit to HOME as they did pre-lockdown – and the answer is a resounding yes! We’ve missed you all, and we can’t wait to see you again: