Cinema just can't resist pranking its audience after that Oscars mix-up

The world collectively cringed Sunday night as they watched the biggest screwup in the history of the Academy Awards.

Now one London cinema has made light of the mix-up by pranking an audience at a Moonlight showing by playing the first 20 seconds of La La Land.

Owing to an envelope mix-up, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway incorrectly announced that La La Land had won Best Picture. Halfway through La La Land's cast and crew's acceptance speech, the error was explained and the award handed to its rightful owner: Moonlight.

Rio cinema in Dalston, east London, played the first 20 seconds of La La Land at the start of Moonlight on Monday night's sold-out showing.

"The audience got the joke straight away and gave a huge round of applause. We had a packed house that night and the response on social media has been fantastic," says cinema director Oliver Meek.

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Meek explains that the decision to pull the prank was a "spur of the moment thing" from the managers on duty. They'd been talking about the Oscars all day on Monday, and "couldn't resist a bit of fun."

"The mix-up was very embarrassing to watch and it’s a shame because people are talking about that instead of what an amazing winner Moonlight is," says Meek.

"Both are terrific films but I think Moonlight was the right choice because it is such a beautiful and important film," Meek continued.

Meek says the prank wasn't intended to be disrespectful in any way.

"It does not detract from what are two outstanding films. We’re particularly delighted with Moonlight’s success and it deserves all the praise it gets," says Meek.