FILMPODIUM, Zürich, 1949 (Renovation 1983 and 2003), 263 seats
Oliver Lang
SIL PLAZ, Illanz, 2010, 52 seats
Oliver Lang
CAMERA, Basel, 1963 (Renovation 1977), 66 and 142 seats
Oliver Lang
COLISEE, Couvet, 1956 (Renovation 2003), 207 seats
Oliver Lang
ROXY, Romanshorn, 1920 (Renovation 1960 and 2003), 147 seats
Oliver Lang
APOLLO, Chur, 1956, 334 seats
Oliver Lang
CITYCLUB, Pully, 1958 (Renovation 2011), 200 seats
Oliver Lang
MUOTATHAL, Muotathal, 1950s, 200 seats
Oliver Lang
CINE-LUCARNE, Le Noirmont, 1957 (Renovation 1974), 110 seats
Oliver Lang
IRIDE, Lugano, 1940 (Renovation 1987), 118 seats
Oliver Lang
GRÜNEGG, Konolfingen, 1958, 117 seats
Oliver Lang
Going to the movies is still a beloved pastime in Switzerland, which has more than 270 cinemas. A new book, “Rex, Roxy, Royal”, takes us inside a few of them.
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As a photo editor I am responsible for the editorial use of photography at SWI swissinfo.ch and our collaborations with photographers. When the opportunity arises, I take a camera and accompany one of our journalists.
I trained as a photographer in Zürich and began working as a photojournalist in 1989. I was a founder of the Swiss photographers' agency Lookat Photos in 1990. A two-time World Press Award winner, I have also been awarded several Swiss national scholarships. My work has been widely exhibited and it is represented in various collections.
Sandra Walti, one of the book’s publishers, has long worked behind the scenes at an independent cinema in the town of Aarau. The idea of creating a photo book featuring movie theatre interiors came to her over the years, while cleaning her cinema after a screening or creating the programme for the following month. The project finally came into being about a year ago, with her co-publisher Tina Schmid.
Ten collaborators from across Switzerland scoured archives and conducted historic research for the book. Photographer Olivier Lang travelled throughout Switzerland and documented cinemas in big cities and small towns, from mini-to-multiplexes.
The resulting bookExternal link takes readers across the country and brings them closer to the history of the cinemas, at a time of declining ticket sales. The switch from analog to digital is an added challenge for small theatres, and some have had to close their doors forever as a result.
Still, sitting in the dark surrounded by strangers, and entering another world through a giant screen, continues to be an attractive experience. Walti says she was surprised to discover how many theatres across Switzerland have opened or re-opened, often a result of efforts by a community that doesn’t want to lose its local cinema.
(Photos: Oliver Lang; Text: Thomas Kern, swissinfo.ch)
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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A guide to Swiss cinemas, film festivals, directors, actors and award-winning films – plus famous scenes shot in Switzerland.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.