Alternative Cinemas.....

I'm always interested by cinemas that are in unusual or exciting settings, rather than your standard multi-plex. Of course there are people like Secret Cinema who put on films in weird places, usually relevant to the film, but there are a lot of permanent cinemas that are in unusual buildings or have something a bit different about them. For example the Filmhuis Cavia in the Netherlands is above a fitness centre in a quiet neighbourhood. This gives it something kind of exclusive about it, as people would most likely find out about it through word of mouth. The Colosseum Kino in Oslo, Norway is inside a building which looks like an observatory for astronomers. Also, the Cinespia in Los Angeles is set within a cemetery, but they don't just screen horror films. But, although all these wonderful, obscure places exist around the world, I think we have one of our own in London. Although the cinema inside the 02 Arena is run by Cineworld (and previously Vue), thus falling into my multiplex category, I think it's an amazing place to watch a film. The venue is so vast and unique, and all the more special for anyone who was lucky enough (as I was) to visit the Arena in its initial incarnation as the Millennium Dome for an all-too fleeting time in 2000. So, although it's usually the independent cinemas and art-house ones that are unique, maybe we shouldn't overlook multiplexes for exciting locations.



(Photo taken by me)