Chauvel Cinema: Indie Flicks on the Big Screen
Get yourself to Chauvel Cinema in the heart of Paddington’s Überhip Oxford Street precinct if you're keen for some time in front of the big screen but hate blockbuster commercial tosh or want to check out the latest arthouse movies in the company of fellow film snobs. Named after Australian filmmaking pioneer Charles Chauvel (best known for Jedda, 1955), the Chauvel Cinema has been operating in the historic Paddington Town Hall since 1977.
Today, the Chauvel is regarded as one of Sydney’s premier movie houses for viewing the latest arthouse and independent films from around the world. There are two cinema screens (the second one was added during renovations in 1995), with Cinema One boasting a barrel vaulted ceiling and a grand proscenium arch stage.
The Chauvel has long been an important venue for screening new Australian films that sometimes struggle to get shown in commerical cinemas. After it closed its doors for good in September 2006, public concern for the closures’ effect on the Australian film industry prompted the Lord Mayor of Sydney to actively find a new lesee for the cinema.
The Chauvel is now run by the independent Palace Cinemas, who also own another Oxford Street arthouse venue, the Verona. As well as screening contemporary English and foreign language films year-round, the Chauvel has a chic café bar on the second floor serving premium coffee, beer, wine and gourmet snacks as well as the usual Candy Bar assortment.
HelloSydney Tip: The Chauvel regularly plays host to movie-related festival and events and continues to support emerging Australian filmmakers. Every Monday at 6:30 p.m., the Chauvel Cinematheque film society screens cult and classic films. Anyone can join -- just sign up at the door.
Posted on Jan 19, 2011 by Fiona Davies
