Hundreds of schoolchildren and their families enjoyed an exclusive screening of the new live-action Moana film after Hollywood star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson fulfilled a promise to hire out an entire cinema for them. Students from St Gregory Primary School in Sudbury, Suffolk, attended the event at the Vue cinema in Colchester on July 10, the film’s opening day. The actor and Disney organised the booking, which saw all nine screens at the venue reserved for the group.
From Viral Video to Reality
The event was the culmination of a social media campaign that began in January. After headteacher Daniel Woodrow told students that he would take them to see the movie if the former WWE star responded to their video, the pupils posted a clip on Instagram and TikTok pleading for the actor’s attention. Johnson saw the video and responded with his own message, promising to hire out a cinema for the students, their friends, and their families. Mr. Woodrow noted that the experience was “perfect and incredible,” adding that the entire venue maintained a positive atmosphere throughout the evening.
A Royal Treatment for Attendees
Approximately 700 people attended the screening, where the students—many dressed in Moana costumes and T-shirts—were treated to snacks including chocolates, jelly sweets, popcorn, and Moana-themed cupcakes. Each seat also featured a signed poster from Dwayne Johnson. The screening included an opening video message from the actor and was presented as a sing-along version of the film. Tom Schofield, general manager at Vue Colchester, expressed his team’s enthusiasm for the event. “It’s not every day we get a request to host an event as exciting as this from a Hollywood actor,” Schofield said, noting that the staff was honoured to host the group at the new venue, which opened in May.
A Second Surprise Meeting
The cinema trip was the second experience provided to the students by Johnson and Disney. In late June, 53 pupils from Years 3 and 4 were taken on what they believed was an “old-fashioned” school trip to London. Instead, they were brought to the Moana Experience at Potters Field Park, where they met the film’s stars, including Auli’i Cravalho and Catherine Laga’aia. During that surprise visit, Johnson spent time with the children, who presented him with a school hoodie featuring the name “Uncle Maui.” Mr. Woodrow described the actor as “warm, kind, [and] genuine,” noting that Johnson took special time to acknowledge a student celebrating a birthday.
Lasting Impact on Students
Reflecting on the events, Mr. Woodrow stated that the experience provided the children with memories that will last a lifetime. He emphasised the importance of the example set by Johnson, stating, “We always tell the children they can make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time, and here is the biggest movie star on the planet doing just that.” According to the headteacher, the school community feels fortunate and grateful for the efforts made by Disney and Johnson. He expressed hope that the kindness shown during these events will help shape the students and encourage them to be kind in the future.
Event Summary
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary School | St Gregory CEVC Primary, Sudbury |
| Cinema Venue | Vue, Colchester |
| Attendance | Approximately 700 people |
| Key Features | All nine screens booked, snacks provided, signed posters, sing-along format |
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