kino rex

A little less algorithm, a little more curation, please

Matt1 Comment

The Cinema REX in Bern, my favourite cinema, and indeed the best cinema in Bern/Switzerland/Europe/the world, shows new releases, mostly independent films or world cinema – but that’s not why they’re my favourite: it’s their curated programme. More or less every month, they’ve got a programme focusing on a theme, genre, country or filmmaker – in parallel to which they will also be running other, longer-term series, e.g. on film history or LGBTQI+ cinema or kids’ movies. Thanks to the REX I’ve seen classics on the big screen that otherwise I might not have had the chance to see at an actual cinema, from Apocalypse Now to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, from North by Northwest to Fanny and Alexander. The other movie theatres in the city that have survived the Great Cinema Purges of recent years also offer curated programmes, such as a series on Cult Movies and Worst Movies, but none are focused as much on providing a curated programme.

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The Corona Diaries: Hello darkness, my old friend

Matt1 Comment

Here we are, Sunset and Camden: yesterday, for the first time in almost half a year, I sat in a movie theatre, watched the lights go down, the curtain open, and the film begin. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, all wearing yellow raincoats, begin to sing that iconic song. Sitting in the satiny dark of the cinema felt like coming home – but, like so many homecomings, there’s a note of ambivalence.

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A Damn Fine Cup of Culture Podcast #37: Cinéma mon amour

Matt11 Comments

Cancelled blockbusters, social distancing, mask requirements: even in places where movie theatres are still open, it isn’t easy for cinemas in 2020 to keep audiences coming back. Here and there, though, there are cinemas that are weathering the pandemic and providing a meaningful cultural and social service, giving a home away from home to cinephiles. One of these cinemas is the Cinema REX in Bern, Switzerland (https://www.rexbern.ch/), which reopened in summer and has been showing indie premieres, world cinema and retrospectives. Join us as we talk to our guest, Martina Amrein from Cinema REX, as we talk about running a movie theatre in 2020 and the key importance for cinemas of finding a niche for yourself.

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I’ll be in my trailer… watching trailers: Pack your brolly, we’re going to France/Italy/China!

The Barista Collective1 Comment

Join us every week for a trip into the weird and wonderful world of trailers. Whether it’s the first teaser for the latest installment in your favourite franchise, an obscure preview for a strange indie darling, whether it’s good, bad, ugly or just plain weird – your favourite pop culture baristas are there to tell you what they think.

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