In 2018, a historic theater in Ridgewood was transformed into a Blink Fitness. Filmmaker John Wilson salvaged remnants like drive-in signs and Hollywood headshots to create Low Cinema, a theater for showcasing films. Despite the challenges faced by theaters during the pandemic and a significant reduction of screens, Wilson and friends designed a unique space for audiences of around 40-50, with a playful and maximalist aesthetic. The name 'Low Cinema' is a nod to cinema history, capturing both nostalgia and innovation in the film viewing experience.
“I wanted to just put it into another space... A movie theater made sense. A lot of it is movie-related, but it also made no sense.”
“We were like 'Wow there are so many available!'... Which was ominous.”
“The design of everything is pretty loud because where else can you use a lot of this material?”
“The name, Low Cinema, is an in-joke for cinema-history junkies.”
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