Nothing to do over the holiday? Don’t spend nights home alone. Ask a Pretty woman on a date- and ladies if you get asked out make sure that he looks nothing like Shrek. Then pack a picnic basket, maybe include some fried green tomatoes or a few slices of American Pie.

If you haven’t guessed yet these are all movies titles. They are some of many movies to be screened at the Galileo Open Air Cinema. The gates open at 6pm and the movie starts as soon as it’s dark, usually about 7:30pm. The programme will run from this month all the way to April 2014. A ticket will cost you R70 if purchased online but be sure to dress up as the resident photographer will be scouting for the best dressed person and they will receive a complimentary ticket.

You have seen drive-ins and open air cinemas in the movies, now it’s time to see what the fuss is all about. Director and founder Huenu Solsona says its a miracle that Cape Town didn’t have open air cinema before Galileo came along.

“I’d been to some[open air cinemas]in other parts of the world and I loved them. They are different to indoor movies. You get the chance to snuggle up under a blankie, look at the stars above you, feel the grass beneath you… It’s just fun and different and people always want something fun and different to do on a week night!.” She says

There is a variety to choose from on show, there is something for everyone, even those toughest to please.

“We wanted to play classics, those movies whom everyone loves and which you could see over and over again, no matter what. It’s about sharing a movie that’s special to you with people who are special to you too”

She says they chose the list of movies to screen from research on the net and then they put it to a vote.

“We scouted many websites to come up with the top 100, discarded some we didn’t want to play (the too violent, sexual and scary ones – because we didn’t feel it fitted the vibe of The Galileo) and then had a massive vote amongst friends and friends of friends. We got about 100 votes back and from that, we chose the top 75.”

Democracy and research definitely won in the end. With the mountain as the backdrop and a cool breeze on your cheeks while you watch Romeo and Juliet -the night is sure to be a winner.

Tickets are R80 at the entrance

All photos by Troy Davies