In Tripoli, the comeback of cinema magic
Clement Gibon for Orient XXI
In Tripoli, the comeback of cinema magic
While Lebanon is facing an unprecedented crisis, supporters of a return to the golden age of cinema are mobilizing to revive the seventh art in Tripoli, the country's second largest city. The Empire, a large historic cinema in the heart of the city, is being renovated to the delight of the audience.
In the center of Tripoli's Al-Tal Square, dominated by a clock tower donated by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II in the early 20th century, stands one of the city's most beautiful cinemas. Built in the early 1930s, the Empire, one of the iconic places of the seventh art in the northern Lebanese city is undergoing an unprecedented renovation. In the lobby, a final coat of paint is being given. The hum of the generator resounds in the room with a capacity of over 780 spectators. The Empire is invested by a dozen actors coming from the four corners of Lebanon. Kassem Istanbouli, actor, director and founder of the Tyro association is at the origin of this unique project. In addition to preserving a cultural heritage, the idea of making cinematographic art accessible to the greatest number of people is the driving force of their initiative.
The return of the Empire on August 28, 2022, which coincides with the first session of the Tripoli International Theater Festival where artistic performances and training workshops will take place, is the symbol of this will of cinematographic revival. The walks organized by Nathalie Rose Bucher in collaboration with UMAM, and the online exhibition TripoliScope which aims to awaken the collective memory of Tripoli's cinemas and share archives and research are part of this dynamic in Cinemascope.
While Lebanon is facing an unprecedented crisis, supporters of a return to the golden age of cinema are mobilizing to revive the seventh art in Tripoli, the country's second largest city. The Empire, a large historic cinema in the heart of the city, is being renovated to the delight of the audience.
In the center of Tripoli's Al-Tal Square, dominated by a clock tower donated by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II in the early 20th century, stands one of the city's most beautiful cinemas. Built in the early 1930s, the Empire, one of the iconic places of the seventh art in the northern Lebanese city is undergoing an unprecedented renovation. In the lobby, a final coat of paint is being given. The hum of the generator resounds in the room with a capacity of over 780 spectators. The Empire is invested by a dozen actors coming from the four corners of Lebanon. Kassem Istanbouli, actor, director and founder of the Tyro association is at the origin of this unique project. In addition to preserving a cultural heritage, the idea of making cinematographic art accessible to the greatest number of people is the driving force of their initiative.
The return of the Empire on August 28, 2022, which coincides with the first session of the Tripoli International Theater Festival where artistic performances and training workshops will take place, is the symbol of this will of cinematographic revival. The walks organized by Nathalie Rose Bucher in collaboration with UMAM, and the online exhibition TripoliScope which aims to awaken the collective memory of Tripoli's cinemas and share archives and research are part of this dynamic in Cinemascope.