While other people find comfort in going to church every week, I seek out religious experiences at the movies — specifically the Varsity Cinema. It’s where I saw Paul Atredies ascend to power of Arrakis, followed Maxine’s rise to Hollywood fame and, most recently, watched Anora, for the second time, get her heart broken.
I carry a sentimental attachment to Varsity, as I’ve been there since it reopened in late 2022 after Des Moines Film purchased the theater in 2018. An excellent addition to the Drake neighborhood, it’s become my haven away from campus chaos within a very reasonable walking distance.
Back before I knew of Varsity’s existence and as my first semester at Drake was nearing the end, I was relieved I survived finals. However, I still had one meeting to go to with my advisor. It was one of those final check-ins that Drake probably enforces professors to do to help convince students that the thousands of dollars they’re spending aren’t going to waste. Especially in my case, as a mentally ill worrier, I was a bit of a basket-case on the Drake social scene.
My advisor sat me down and asked me if I’d found my place yet on campus or, better yet, a third place. A third place is where people go to that isn’t your family or work but encourages you to socialize outside of your comfort zone. When asked, I thought, “Is that even possible?” Residence life and classes seemed to take up all my time!
Tasked with finding my ‘third place,’ I began looking at what was in my area. When I saw that Varsity was having its grand reopening on Dec. 15, 2022, the day before I would return home for winter break, I decided to check it out.
I went ahead and purchased my ticket for the timeless classic “Singing in the Rain,” excited to go to the movies for once. Not only was my brain chemistry altered by the stunning visuals and the tapping shoes of Gene Kelly, I also appreciated the Director of Operations Ben Godar emphasizing the importance of the community in a speech that Varsity wanted to create before the showing.
I can assure you that, three years later, Godar has kept that promise.
The theater has created community partnerships with the Des Moines Symphony and the Des Moines Public Library to host book clubs and discussions with Orchestra Members about the music portrayed in film, so I’m learning more than what is being shown on screen. Even when I’m not learning (flashback to getting hammered at the various Twilight movie marathons), I’m still having fun!
Varsity’s most memorable screening, in my opinion, was for “Heretic,” which included a live Q&A discussion afterward with the directors of the movie sitting at the front of the theater eagerly waiting for our questions. Hearing their perspective outside of what was being depicted by the actors and their thought processes behind certain scenes was incredibly rewarding and unlike any movie I’ve seen.
On a more personal level, another highlight for me was when I hosted my 21st birthday party in the second-floor loft cinema. I was able to indoctrinate all of my friends who hadn’t seen “Challengers” yet while also enjoying a delightful slice of red velvet cake that I was allowed to bring. As I was enthralled with Josh O’Connor’s performance, it also made me happy in that moment to have a space I could share with my friends and appreciate my movie viewing even more.
Since that cold December, when I was in the depths of finals despair, I have seen 74 different movies or documentaries that have played at Varsity. (Thank you, Letterboxd!) From some best-picture nominees, foreign films or even my third rewatch of “Challengers,” it’s not hard for me to find a reason to walk two blocks to their location, especially with their $9.00 student discount.
If this article makes you feel entertained, I can guarantee that your excitement will triple once you step inside Varsity. And if any of my professors are reading this now, I beg you to lessen your workload for finals week so I can go see my darling Patrick Swayze on screen in “Point Break,” showing at Varsity on April 29.
I’ve set a goal that I have to at least watch 100 different types of movies at Varsity. So, I’m excited to see what they show next!
