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.
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.
Continue readingJoin 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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A Damn Fine Cup of Culture 