May 9th, 2008
The Lighthouse Cinema reopens
Am very excited about seeing the new Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield. I spent many an afternoon in its predecessor on Abbey Street, and saw my first films by Jim Jarmusch, Pedro Almodovar, Atom Egoyan, Krzysztof Kieslowski (the Three Colours trilogy) and so many great directors. The Screen Cinema on D’Olier Street could always be relied on to show the odd marginal film, but The Lighthouse showed across the board arthouse, World Cinema and independent films. In its 12 year absence, the IFI has in many ways continued its remit, but nostaligic cineastes will hopefully still make regular trips to its new home in Smithfield.
Today’s programme kicks off with Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky, Honeydripper by John Sayles (I saw a couple of his films in the old venue), XXY, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, My Brother Is An Only Child and Once.
Best of luck to all those involved in resurrecting one of my favourite cinemas.
Link: Lighthouse Cinema
May 9th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Ok I’m going to ask a very stupid question. I saw lots of people getting very excited about this cinema and I initially thought it was because it was in a lighthouse! It’s not is it? Yes I told you stupid question but I gotta ask. I’ve been to the site and other stories about it and the whereabouts of it’s name or photos of the building are never present.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:58 am
It’s not in a lighthouse but it does have coloured seats!
Coloured seats, what more could you want??
Great to have another cinema of quality in Dublin. Hope it goes well for them.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Sinead - incredibly jealous that you saw Three Colours on the big screen (they are brilliant).
Didn’t make it to the opening on Wednesday (despite high levels of attempted bribery) but have heard that the place looks great. Off to see Honeydripper on Monday
May 9th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Can recommend all but Honeydripper (still to see).
To follow on from a point made in the blog, most have featured in recent months though in the IFI. Is the town big enough for the two of them and will it be location, location, location that ultimately decides?
May 9th, 2008 at 9:54 am
One of the best cinema experiences of my life was Raise The Red Lantern in Lighthouse 1 on a tuesday evening in 1991.
I did all my film growing up in those two screens. Thrilled that it’s reopened and in my hood too.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:02 am
John, I suppose it’s a case of why is anything called anything. Maybe it’s some pun on illuminating lost classics, obscure world film etc.
TGWAOF - coloured seats? Crikey. I like the sound of that.
David - it’s a wonderful set of films. I think Blue is my favourite, so terribly sad and easily the best thing Juliette Binoche has done.
Longman Oz - a valid point. I think there’ll be a certain amount of relying on curiosity and loyalty from fans of the old cinema. As for the programme, I imagine that there may have been so much to organise in getting the cinema open, that perhaps it was easier to have the programme start out a little familiar - who knows? Have a look at the upcoming features, but I’m not sure if the IFI plan to run them too. It would also be in the interest of both cinemas to knock heads about what they show, so as to avoid clashes and empty screens.
Q - I love that film, but I think I saw it on DVD, not in the cinema.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Have a look at the upcoming features, but I’m not sure if the IFI plan to run them too.
Of the five listed, Perespolis is running now and Caramel is on sometime this month. I imagine that the IFI will give Eden a run-out too, as it is a domestic one.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Went to the Lighthouse cinema last night, it’s new and shiny and very comfy. Might go to that XXY film at the weekend.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Hi Sinead
OT, but I’ve just watched The View and loved your comments about the Stones - they’ve been a waste since the early 80s (Tattoo You -their last decent album). Pity that the presenter cut off at that point. Keep up the good work!!
May 9th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Longman Oz - it’s still not an identical programme, and I imagine that as the dust settles, we’ll see more variation.
Katherine - glad to hear it, I can’t wait to check it out. XXY is supposed to be worth, let me know how you got on.
Paddy - Off camera, I said to John Kelly that Tattoo You is the last good thing they ever made. The whole panel didn’t like the film, and it wasn’t even because of the Stones, but because it was a missed opportunity as a film, and particularly as a concert film. Surprising, given Scorsese at the helm, especially after the brilliant The Last Waltz.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Was in Dublin visiting friends Wednesday, passed the new set up en route to see the MGMT/Futureheads/CSS gig. What struck me was the recent coverage in The Ticket, where it was suggested on more than one occasion that the location wasn’t central enough, and that it could be a hindered by being in Smithfield.
Smithfield, which is a 20 minute walk (if even) from O’Connell St or 2 luas stops away - have we as a nation gotten that lazy?
May 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Sinéad - Blue is my fave in the 3CT as well
As regards location, I guess it depends whioch end of town you’re coming from. I’m usually around Dame St / Georges St, so if the same film was on in the IFI and the Lighthouse I have to say I’d go for the IFI out of handiness. If you’re one of the cool kids who hangs out in the swanky bars of Capel St than the Lighthouse is a great loation. It’s no more out of the way than Cineworld in my mind and they don’t seem to have any problems filling seats!
May 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Great news! We’re sure you’d enjoy the movies on the big screen!
May 10th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
The fact that independent Irish film makers can’t readily get their works screened in cinemas around the country is a continuing shame and important commercial and cultural issue. The New York-Hollywood mega companies benefit from restrictive near-monopoly distribution contracts for screenings in cinemas around the western world.