We showcase a selection of the world’s most weird and wonderful cinemas.
By James Lee-Tullis
Govinda’s Restaurant, Australia: Nestled in Sydney’s inner city Darlinghurst district, Govinda’s cleverly solves the age-old problem of barely being able to move after enjoying an indulgent banquet of Indian food. The restaurant must be one of the world’s only curry houses to also boast its own ‘movie room’. Enjoy the best in world cinema while reclining on giant cushions in this luxe boutique cinema. govindas.com.au
Mackerel Sky, England: Previously known as Event Cornwall, the renamed Mackerel Sky specialises in innovative event experiences – many of them located in the south-west of England. Past events include pop-up cinema experiences – typically featuring water-themed films such as Jaws – presented on the beach or on boats, taking advantage of Cornwall’s rugged coastline. falriver.co.uk
Cinema dei Piccoli, Italy: First opened in 1934 as a dedicated children’s cinema, Cinema dei Piccoli claims to be one of the world’s smallest movie theatres. Located in the Villa Borghese park in Rome, the venue still runs children’s classics in the afternoon before switching to a programme of mainstream and arthouse movies in the evenings. cinemadeipiccoli.it
CGV Cheongdam Cine City, South Korea: Tired of wearing 3D glasses? Bored by what seems just an impressive, but nevertheless passing fad? You’re not alone. In South Korea, however, the answer is apparently to take things even further. CGV Cheongdam Cine City in Seoul offers visitors the chance to experience ‘4D-X’, complete with moving seats, aromas pumped into the auditorium to reflect the scenes on screen, and even wind and water. cgv.co.kr
Sala Montjuïc, Spain: “At my signal unleash hell!” The open-air film festival at the Sala Montjuïc has long specialised in presenting epic historical films such as Gladiator against the backdrop of the spectacular castle walls. It isn’t all swords and sandals, though, with a few musicals and independent films also creeping into the schedule. salamontjuic.org
The Archipelago Cinema, Thailand: Created in 2012 by architect Ole Scheeren for the Film on the Rocks Yao Noi festival, the concept featured an extraordinary floating cinema pontoon nestled between three large outcrops of rocks. The effect was startling and has since inspired events organisers and cinema impresarios to create similar projects around the world. buro-os.com
Sol Cinema, Wales: One of the world’s smallest working picture houses, Sol Cinema seats just 8 adults or 10 children at a time. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, it’s also solar-powered (hence the name). To the untrained eye it might look like a caravan; that’s unsurprising, as it is in fact a caravan. However, the tricked-out interior manages to create a comfortable ambience that plays with the traditions of movie-going. thesolcinema.org
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, USA: Cinespia hosts one of the most unusual outdoor film events each year with a programme of films projected onto the wall of the mausoleum at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where the remains of Rudolph Valentino, Peter Finch and other movie greats are kept. Grisly though it may sound – films include late night screenings of horror classics – the event is intended to change perceptions about the cemetery and cemeteries in general. cinespia.org
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