Cinema has always been a major tool of escapism. So, let us put reality on hold and visit some special places filled with the magical aura of the cinema.
DELPHI LUX, BERLIN
A work of modern art
Neon lights, an electrifying atmosphere, and ultimate immersion into the world of films. The new Delphi Lux cinema attracts visitors with the smart filling: 30 kilometres of cables, special acoustic panels, and wall coverings that enhance the audio effect. But this is no soulless multiplex. On the contrary, it’s an independent theatre whose visual appeal stands somewhere between an art gallery and a futuristic art-house movie. Delphi Lux even won the 2019 Frame Award for best entertainment venue of the year.
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What makes the interior special is the interplay between light and colour. One of the auditoriums is set in a deep, dark shade of ‘theatre red’. The others range from mysterious green and stardust blue to a classic pitch-black box. There’s also an auditorium in powdery pink…apparently a nod to Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel?
Adress: Yva Bogen – Kantstraße 10; yorck.de
PATHÉ TUSCHINSKI, AMSTERDAM
The most beautiful cinema in the world
Amsterdam is home to some of the oldest cinema houses in the world, but the Pathé Tuschinski cinema is the brightest jewel in this treasure box. The building dates to 1921 and reflects a mix of Art Deco, Neogothic, Art Nouveau, and Oriental styles. The tall and narrow façade, richly decorated with tiles, sculptures, lamps, looks like a fairytale castle inviting you to step into another dimension…or onto a movie set. Back in the day, first-class stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Édith Piaf, and Judy Garland occupied the screen.
This is the kind of cinema where one must never be late for a screening. The earlier you arrive, the more time you have to explore its charms. The way to the main auditorium leads through a luscious foyer of red and gold. Most opera houses in the world can’t compete with such dazzling ambience!
Daily guided tours are available to learn more about its history.
Adress: Reguliersbreestraat 26-34; pathe.nl
RIVOLI BALLROOM, LONDON
Deep dive into vintage glamour
Rivoli Ballroom is a hidden gem in London’s southeast neighbourhood of Brockley. For decades, the Rivoli has been connecting the local community via dance, music, and movies.
It claims to be the only remaining original ballroom in the British capital that has appeared in music videos by Tina Turner, Elton John, and Florence and the Machine as well as in the thriller Spy Game and even a flashback scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The lush, eclectic interior survives to the present day: the walls of the main ballroom are covered in plush red-velour panels, and the space is adorned with exotic motifs, decorative pilasters, and vintage crystal chandeliers. Bars serve drinks and snacks on either side of the ballroom. The classic late-1950s design and dark wood and leather furnishings make you feel as if you were carried away in a classy old train carriage.
Adress: 350 Brockley Road, Crofton Park; rivoliballroom.com
CINEMA HOTEL, TEL AVIV
Sleeping inside a former cinema
If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to stay overnight in a real movie theatre, then the Cinema Hotel in Tel Aviv is the right place for you. Despite the fact that this theatre hasn’t shown any movies since the 1990s, this property run by Atlas Hotels preserves the alluring spirit of cinema.
Cinema Hotel is located right in the heart of the city on busy Dizengoff Square, which is famous for its water fountain and blindingly white buildings with curved balconies and flat roofs.
Filled with the most modern equipment of its day, Cinema Hotel could host nearly 1000 cinema-goers and screened films from Europe and Hollywood. Paying tribute to the building’s legacy, excerpts of classic films are shown on the wall in the reception area, where popcorn is also served. Another attractive addition is the rooftop terrace that serves as an improvised screening area in the evenings.
Adress: 1 Zamenhof Street; atlas.co.il
More about cinemas read in Baltic Outlook here.
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