Yesterday morning I attended the press event heralding the opening of Hackney Picturehouse. There was breakfast in the ground floor cafe area. Such lovely crockery they have chosen - a welcome change from the almost obligatory white. This shows an eye for detail and I think reflects the magic of the cinema experience.
'Taika' Crockery by Iittala
We were taken to Screen 4 – which has the largest screen. There, Lyn Goleby, MD of City Screen, talked about this their 20th completed Picturehouse project and gave us an insight into the Picturehouse ethos: To create a cinema which will truly serve it’s community. A cinema which will show independent, art-house, foreign language films as well as blockbuster movies. Digital projection and satellite technology enables opera and live concerts taking place in theatres and stadiums around the world to be shown in Picturehouse cinemas.
Clare Binns, head of programming for the group said how excited she was about the diverse range of films they are able to bring. She believes it is all about not under-estimating the audience and that there is something for everyone.
There was a surprise guest appearance by film actor Michael Fassbender star of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. He apparently is a local resident and had popped in to lend the project his support.
Michael Fassbender
We watched a short film about local Brewer Londonfields which is brewing Hackney Picture House Pale Ale and is predictably, on sale in the cinema bar.
Hackney Picture House Pale Ale
We were then treated to a short clip , in 3D of the new animated movie ‘Puss in Boots’ which looks like a lot of fun.
We then proceeded to the next floor to Hackney Attic which is an intimate venue which will host a wide range of events including Tea dances, live folk, jazz, and blues music, comedy and quiz evenings. This tastefully refurbished venue includes a very beautiful and durable southern yellow pine floor from Kebony. Kebony’s patented eco-friendly wood preservation technique (known as Kebonization) allows softwood to take on the more durable characteristics of more expensive and endangered tropical hardwoods. Special thanks to Rosie Kempson from the Communication Group, there to represent clients Kebony, for looking after me at the event.
Hackney Attic with southern yellow pine floor from Kebony
Hackney Attic with southern yellow pine floor from Kebony
Other photos from the Day:
Side view of the Picture House, as Front Signage not yet up.
Hackney Picture House Logo
Interior Bar Architects Fletcher Priest Architects London+Koln+Riga
Concrete wall with glass spheres inset
Illuminated Stairway, Screen 4
Old Film Projector
Smallest Theatre Screen 4
