Background

From Architecture to Cinema Concepts

Broadway Cinematheque is presently a unique cultural landmark in HK and recently set up its first branch in Beijing - Broadway Cinematheque MOMA(bc MOMA). bc MOMA is the first art-house cinema in mainland China, under the Broadway Circuit operated and managed by EDKO Films Ltd and has officially been open since the end of December 2009. It consists of three screens with a total number of 400 seats and a 300 square meter café-bookstore called Kubrick. bc MOMA proudly continues to uphold the attitudes that bc pursues in promoting film culture, showcasing internationally acclaimed films from China and abroad, and highlighting and supporting emerging Chinese film makers.

Floating Cinema

Broadway Cinematheque MOMA is located inside MOMA Linked Hybrid designed by renowned American architect Steven Holl, ina process which took ten years. It was selected as one of the “10 Wonders of the New China” by Business Week 2007. Broadway Cinematheque MOMA is situated in the center of the complex of buildings surrounded by ponds, floating on the water like a shining diamond. Its metallic outer wall can be used as screens for projecting movie trailers at night, the images of which reflect onto the water, creating a perfect conceptual and physical connection between the three-dimensional space and the design.

High Quality and Diverse Film Selection

In addition to showing a diverse and unique selection of internationally acclaimed films, bc MOMA hand-picks a number of high-quality films as exclusive releases and regularly organizes film programmes, such as master retrospectives, thematic programmes and panorama of new films from around the world. At the same time, bc MOMA also provides a screening space for local young filmmakers to show their films and to share their experiences of filmmaking with an audience.
Since the soft opening at the beginning of November 2009, bc MOMA has already been involved in presenting the 2nd European Union Film Festival, the 4th Chinese Young Generation Film Forum and the Italian Films Screening “From Venice to Beijing”. The world-famous director Giuseppe Tornatore and Hou Hsiao-Hsien are the honorable guests among our first batch of VIP guests of bc MOMA. In early 2010, bc MOMA exclusively showcased Chengdu I Love You, the closing film of the 2009 Venice Film Festival, directed by Fruit Chan and Jian Cui. Early previews of Season of Good Rain directed by Korean filmmaker Jin-ho Hur have also been scheduled. The first retrospective of film masters to be launched celebrated the work of Xie Jin, entitled “40 years of Xie Jin Films” which included some of the most significant masterpieces throughout the different periods of his career. Seminar and sharing sessions were accompanied by English-subtitled screenings to outline the rapid social changes and development of contemporary Chinese cinema in the past 40 years

Building up a Brand New Film Community

As the home for film enthusiasts, bc MOMA launched its membership scheme to provide a bridge for film lovers to the cine-world, offering movie fans a window to world cinema. There is a film library on the second floor offering more than 40 types of film magazines from various countries, over 100 original English language film books and a large collection of DVDs and soundtracks available for members to borrow for free. Members can use the mini screen as a small screening room in which to show their works and share the filmmaking experience with others. Furthermore, the library regularly plays host to film seminars, workshops and sharing sessions throughout the calendar.
On the first floor, the Kubrick store offers a wide range of books on cinema and movie masters. Vintage and original movie posters are also available for film enthusiasts. Next to the bc MOMA complex is the Kubrick café-bookstore where cinephiles and art-and-culture lovers will find it the most relaxing and inspiring venue to spend time after screenings. With a range of cultural activities, Kubrick’s presence helps create a cultural atmosphere for the whole area.

Objective

Broadway Cinematheque (BC) was founded in November 20th 1996 in Hong Kong Yau Ma, and exists to promote art films. There are 4 cinemas, each with 160 seats, giving a total of 640 seats. The cinema houses 2K projectors, which can play 3D35mm16m films and also other digital forms of films. BC has VIP rooms in addition to a library with thousands of DVDs and more than 40 lifestyle specialist film magazines for it’s VIPs to borrow for free.
Kubrick was founded in November 22nd 2001 and further transformed BC into a center for film and culture. Many diverse cultural events are held there, cultivating an inclusive cultural atmosphere.
Now we can take a look at the videos made 3 years ago commemorating both the 10th anniversary of BC and the 5th anniversary of Kubrick. This video shows the impact of BC on directors, actors, singers, film academics, writers, media representatives – and more! We can see how people from these different fields present different insights about BC.

Conception and Orientation

Broadway Cinematheque (BC)’s mission at its simplest is to promote film culture. We promote film culture with the following aims: firstly, by sourcing high-quality films from around the world, by bringing diverse and multicultural films to the audience and by finding a home for both commercial and arts films; secondly, by offering of a chance for youth directors in Hong Kong to screen their works; thirdly, by encouraging the development of the cultural appreciation of the audience and by provoking a mutual communication between directors and audiences; and fourthly, by facilitating a flow of ideas and a connection between people and the cinema, and by establishing a culture-rich community for film enthusiasts.