{"id":20009,"date":"2024-07-03T09:00:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T07:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-north\/?p=20009"},"modified":"2024-07-02T15:14:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T13:14:59","slug":"wont-you-take-me-to-the-bioscope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-north\/blog\/2024\/07\/03\/wont-you-take-me-to-the-bioscope\/","title":{"rendered":"Won\u2019t you take me to The Bioscope"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once upon a time, movies were all glamour. The arch of Marilyn Munro\u2019s eyebrows. Grace Kelly\u2019s icy beauty. It feels like we\u2019ve lost a little something in the modern age of film. But as an independent cinema, The Bioscope is bringing it back.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s face it. Cinemas are pretty sterile nowadays. Book your ticket online. Order your snacks at the same time. And you might find that you\u2019re right at the door to the screening room before you actually speak to a human.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one of the things that makes The Bioscope different. Here, it\u2019s all about the experience. You don\u2019t come just to watch a film \u2013 you come to be immersed in a world of magic … and being able to feast on pizza and panini while sipping your favorite cocktail or craft beer is an added bonus. It\u2019s fun, it\u2019s social, and it gives you a whole bunch of reasons to switch off Netflix and get off your couch.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what Russell Grant envisaged when he first dreamed of setting up an independent cinema, back in 2009. At the time, he was studying film at Wits, and was inspired by Darryl Els, a friend and fellow student who wrote his thesis on whether such a cinema could survive in Johannesburg. The duo hosted a number of screenings at the university to get a taste of how the venue could work, but the idea was parked for a while \u2013 until they were introduced to Propertuity, the development group then seeking to rejuvenate Maboneng.<\/p>\n

The Bioscope\u2019s first iteration as a pop-up in the rapidly growing Maboneng Precinct proved so successful that it was offered a permanent space. \u201cIt was such an exciting time, but it was difficult, too. There was no one in South Africa we could ask for advice, because nothing like this existed. We managed to track down some guys who had run old cinemas, and their only comment was \u2018Why are you doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hardly encouraging \u2013 but, as it turned out, the timing was just right for a venture like The Bioscope. Artisanal markets were popping up all over Joburg, people were swapping mass-produced lager for craft beer and big name fashion for homegrown labels, and there was a growing awareness that there was something special about the small, the unique, the non-commercial. The Bioscope was very much a part of this niche … while mall cinemas might rely on kids and families as audiences, Russell was more interested in targeting people in their twenties and thirties who were typically invested in growing their careers, and so, when they had a few moments to spare, wanted to do something special. They were open to foreign films, movies that were a little different \u2013 the type of fare you wouldn\u2019t find in a mall cinema. And The Bioscope\u2019s offerings weren\u2019t limited to traditional screenings. Movie goers could attend festivals celebrating a specific genre, like documentaries, for example. Classic movie Sundays became a feature, along with the annual screening of True Romance on Valentine\u2019s Day, and other films to commemorate landmark occasions.<\/p>\n

Over time, though, the perfect fit between Maboneng and The Bioscope began to feel, well, not so perfect. The neighbouring bars attracting rowdy crowds that were at odds with everything The Bioscope stood for. \u201cGood cinema is often intimate, intricate and patient, and our surroundings no longer matched that tone,\u201d Russell says.<\/p>\n

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A new space was found at 44 Stanely and, while the move might not have been big in terms of geography, it\u2019s brought on a whole new era of evolution. For a start, the new location attracts a much broader audience. The team also got a chance to rethink the design of the cinema, keeping everything they loved but making a few adjustments that took the experience to the next level – like adding wooden benches in front of the seats \u2013 perfect for balancing your pizza box or resting your feet. With more space and an atmosphere conducive to browsing, The Bioscope\u2019s gift shop expanded, making it possibly South Africa\u2019s only gift shop dedicated to cinema-themed goodies \u2013 buy anything from movie posters to toys inspired by film characters, books and soundtracks. You might also find cool items to wear among Limited Edish, Russell\u2019s clothing range on show in the lobby.<\/p>\n

One of the most exciting developments is the launch of The Video Store podcast. Every Tuesday. Russell chats about the films that have inspired him and what he\u2019s currently watching; on Thursdays, he\u2019s joined by guests who discuss their all-time favourites, and Russell makes recommendations for their \u2018To be watched\u201d list \u2013 much like the guy behind the counter at your local video store used to do.<\/p>\n

What started as a part of Johannesburg\u2019s regeneration has become a fixed feature on the city\u2019s list of \u2018must-sees\u2019 \u2013 an experience that is at once gloriously nostalgic and utterly in line with Johannesburg\u2019s current frame of mind. Details: www.thebioscope.co.za<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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The movies that made me<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every week, Russell asks guests on The Video Store podcast to tell him all about the movies that made a difference in their lives. Here\u2019s his own list:<\/p>\n