Yesterday marked an unforgettable highlight for Cinerama — a wonderful anniversary celebration. The day began with a line of visitors for the first screenings stretching all the way past the Turkish consulate. From 11:00 a.m., there was live music. Around 30 visitors responded to the call to bring homemade birthday cakes.
Marga Uges, the woman who once drove the very first pile for the building, had been tracked down. She was there, attended the “Typisch Rotterdam Shorts” program, and thoroughly enjoyed all the buzz in the foyer.
“This place, and other historic spots, shouldn’t just disappear everywhere because of big money,” said Ms. Uges.
A toast was made during a short speech by Cinerama manager Arthur Flink at 3:30 p.m., in front of visitors and guests from the film industry and politics. There was music from Handy Tim, and former box office employee Joke played 60s records. For the hungry film lovers, there was homemade vegan kapsalon. The karaoke was a hysterical party. Despite the heat in the packed Theater 5, nothing could stop the crowd from going wild during the sing-along. The cocktail bar was a big hit.
There was massive support for the campaign “Cinerama Must Stay”. Posters were flying off the table as comic artist Hanco Kolk signed live. In collaboration with the Day of Architecture, there was a special behind-the-scenes tour: through the old disco basement, with explanations of the vintage projectors, and a moving spoken word performance by Burnice ‘BNice’ Hiwat as the finale.
The turnout was overwhelming: nearly 2,500 filmgoers attended. With the toast and the buzzing “above-ground Quasimodo vibe” afterparty with DJs Bootsy Paul and Overdose lasting until 4:00 a.m., over 3,000 people celebrated Cinerama’s birthday. A record!
