To the end of the year promise to open the oldest Moscow cinema “Art”, the skeleton of which frightened moviegoers for several years. Were waiting for the worst – the emergence of the supermarket instead of the Shrine. The curators and the new management promise to transform an ancient building into a Bastion of the best of world cinema. Will we see the authentic building and not turned it in to a remake – will know about it very soon.
“Artistic” – the oldest Moscow cinema, a relic of the city. It was designed by the architect of the Annunciation, opened in 1909. Later the building was rebuilt by the Russian architect Fyodor Schechtel. It was visited by many prominent people and scholars. Even Leo Tolstoy, fearing the movie, crossed the threshold of this building. Been there and Sergei Yesenin. In 1926 the “Art” premiered one of the most famous films of all time – the legendary “Battleship “Potemkin” by Sergei Eisenstein.
In recent years, the fate of the historic building was vague. In January 2014, the theater was closed for restoration. It passed from hand to hand. When we started the renovation, I removed the top layer, opened the floor and found amazing things, rare programs, posters, artifacts of the era, wanted all the wealth to put in the foyer. For a long time the building was closed from prying eyes, no information about what happens behind covering its panels, it was not. It seemed that the buildings there remained a void. The fans worried: we will not see historic buildings, probably, it was demolished, I will build on the ashes of who knows what.
Finally clarified. By the end of 2020 cinema will open, will operate as the premiere and the festival centre. Promise to present the world cinema in all its diversity. Nothing accidental, a clear curatorial selection, to find a “new artistry”. There is no discrimination on formats and genres, as art cinema management believes that sometimes quality better than the average mainstream movie festival, full of mournful art stamps. “Throughout the year we will cover world kinopovest, including show movies are not purchased for the Russian hire,” say the curators. And while we are establishing cooperation with foreign cultural institutions in order to arrange a joint film screenings, retrospectives and educational events.
