Nelani Mejias Photo.
The lights dimmed and soft whispers filled the room. On a glowing screen, a little, worm-like creature took form. A zoomed-in shot revealed keys clipped on a belt loop, jangling on screen, as the soft hiss of a coffee machine sounded behind the makeshift movie theater.
Friday night, Best Video Film & Cultural Center (BVFCC) in Hamden hosted a screening of the beloved 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, presented in partnership with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO), making what is often recognized as “Earth Month” feel both grounded and out of this world. As it came to BVFCC, the film became a reminder of the power of friendship and connection, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.
The NHSO will be hosting its concert t “A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” presenting the music of well-known science fiction films, on April 25 and 26., Before that time, Best Video is one of the many small businesses and “third spaces” that the organization is partnering with, as a way to celebrate a thriving cultural ecosystem of small business and arts organizations.
As people grabbed cups of coffee and took last-minute looks at the titles on the shelves, the film was introduced by Jimmy Malcom, a member since 2018 and recent volunteer at Best Video. He reminded people in attendance that their dollars were just one way to support the beloved community space: “You can support by coming to events, even just telling your friends.”
As the lights turned off and the movie began, you could hear stifled laughs as the kids in the movie (Henry Jackson Thomas and Drew Barrymore, both of whom are now well into adulthood) joked around at the kitchen table. By the time Barrymore’s character, Gertie, dressed the titular and adored Extra Terrestrial in a blonde wig and dress, the laughter in the room turned into collective giggles.
As the iconic moments of the film played, attendees’ eyes were glued to the screen. Young Elliott Taylor (Thomas) laid out a trail of Reese’s Pieces to lure E.T. in, and audience members savored the sweetness of the moment. His finger lit up with a bright healing glow, making a bloodied cut all better, and the warmth seemed to radiate from the screen. When he spoke the legendary words “E.T. phone home,” it was as if attendees were all in the moment together.
The screening was soaked in nostalgia for some that attended. Helen Koulidobrova, a professor of linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers/Signers of Other Languages (TEOSL) at Central Connecticut State University, reminisced on the fact that she hadn’t seen the film since her own son was the age of our protagonist, Elliot.
“We love to support Best Video and it’s fun watching old movies in a community,” Koulidobrova said. Since moving to Connecticut, she has been on the search for an art house cinema, and found Best Video to be the closest match.
That sense of a welcome “third space” in the community is not just exclusive to movies, although the walls and aisles are filled with shelves of snugly packed DVD cases. They have also hosted musicians, like The Almighty Yellow Star, who utilize the space by often playing movies in the background of their sets.
“I first saw a snippet of Woman in the Dunes during a performance of theirs,” said Malcom when discussing his favorite movies and what attracted him to the space. From the knowledgeable staff to customers that come in, Malcom has “learned so much from Best Video,” he said.
Along with the well-known and loved classics, such as Steven Spielberg's E.T., there are also “things that are hard to find” on the shelves, which are highlighted in other events hosted by Best Video such as Secret Cinema and Cult Nights.
Once E.T. boarded his space craft and the credits started to roll, the lights came up again, and attendees took a moment to explore the shelves of movies, pointing out films they’ve seen, recommend, or have on their to watch lists before heading out to their cars.