Where the magic of the big screen merges with the timeless beauty of architecture, transforming every viewing into a unique journey. The cinema has the power to make you dream, even when the screen is black.
Cinema is not just a place to immerse yourself in extraordinary stories; it's an experience that begins long before the opening credits. There are cinemas that are true architectural masterpieces, where every detail, from the decorated ceilings to the imposing facades, tells a story parallel to the one unfolding on the screen. In a world increasingly dominated by anonymous multiplexes and technological complexes, these places stand as testimonies to the beauty and elegance of an era when going to the cinema was a social and cultural ritual.
Cinema Le Grand Rex – Paris, France
Opened in 1932, Le Grand Rex is the largest cinema in Europe and is a masterpiece of Art Deco. Its main hall, with a capacity of over 2,700 seats, is dominated by a starry ceiling that simulates a night sky. The atmosphere evokes an outdoor theater, with decorations reminiscent of exotic landscapes and an iconic facade towering over rue Poissonnière. You can take a behind-the-scenes tour, called "Les Etoiles du Rex".
=
Puskin Art Cinema – Budapest, Hungary
A baroque jewel, the Puskin Art Cinema opened in 1926 and was the first cinema in Hungary to screen films with sound. It still boasts richly decorated interiors, with golden stucco, imposing columns and crystal chandeliers. Renovated in 1988, it has become a multiplex. The facade and the lobby remain the same, but the projection room has been divided into three smaller theaters. In 2013, the cinema was expanded with two additional smaller theaters. Each theater has a unique theme, but all offer a visual experience that blends historical splendor with the charm of arthouse cinema.
=
Cinema at the Amazonas Theater – Manaus, Brazil
Located in the heart of the Amazon, this cinema occupies a space inside the magnificent Amazonas Theater, a neoclassical opera opened in 1896. The construction began 12 years earlier, and architects, builders, painters, and sculptors were called from across Europe, as well as many materials: colored tiles from Alsace, "Louis XV" furniture and fabrics from Paris, marble for the staircase, statues, and columns from Carrara, steel for the walls from England, and thirty-two chandeliers, including the enormous one in the center of the hall, were specially manufactured in Murano. Neo-Renaissance in style, the dome covered with colorful tiles and the opulent interior are the perfect setting for a unique cinematic experience. It is probably the true symbol of Manaus.
=
The Electric Cinema – London, United Kingdom
It could only be in the Notting Hill district, one of the oldest cinemas in London, opened in 1910 on Portobello Road. The interior combines elegance and exclusivity: red leather armchairs with footrests, double beds in the front row and vintage lamps next to each seat. The Edwardian style aesthetics and the intimate atmosphere make it an extraordinarily beautiful and welcoming place for cinema lovers.
Castro Theatre – San Francisco, USA
Built in 1922, the Castro Theatre is one of the most famous Art Deco icons in the United States. The Hispano-Moorish facade, the spectacular chandeliers, and the functioning Wurlitzer organ add a nostalgic charm to this historic cinema, which remains a landmark for cultural events and film festivals to this day. A thorough restoration has just returned the Castro Theatre to its former glory.