Tag: the projector

The Projector: How An Abandoned Theatre Became An Artsy Alternative Cinema

If you’ve heard of The Projector, you’ll know it is a completely alternative cinema concept.

Far from screening mainstream blockbusters, here you’ll find indie, foreign, cult favourite, classic, arthouse and local flicks.

But how did the fifth floor of the slightly crummy Golden Mile Tower come to house this artsy two-screen cinema?

Seems like its vintage appeal isn’t constructed at all, but stems from a long history we think you film buffs should know about…

The Golden Theatre

Once upon a time, there was the The Golden Theatre.

Situated in said Golden Mile Tower along Beach Road, it was once the largest cinema in all of Singapore and Malaysia.

Think: an impressive 1,500 stall and circle seats, all inside one massive movie theatre.

For those born before 1973, you may know its constructor, Chong Gay Theatres, who are also the ones behind the homely Kallang Theatre.

Back in the day, The Golden Theatre was well-patronised for its Mandarin films, ‘adult’ artistic films, and even Bollywood hits.

Sadly, with sparkly new shopping malls sprouting up through the ‘90s, its popularity slowly waned.

The majestic theatre split up into smaller, separate halls–Golden 1 and Golden 2, both of which then sunk into disrepair.

The Fixer Uppers

Enter creative development company Pocket Projects, and design and architectural firm FARM.

This group of passionate cinephiles banded together to breathe new life into this old, derelict, but also historic space.

And so restoration works began, in the form of The Projector.

The two halls also received new names, along with their new lease of life.

Golden 1 became the Green Room, and Golden 2, the Redrum–a nod to Stanley Kubrick’s classic ‘The Shining’.

Fast Forward

Today, the halls are once again as bustling as they were in the good old days.

Each of the two rooms at The Projector seats nearly 200 people, and are fitted with digital projectors.

The chairs in the front section of the Green Room have even been replaced with comfy bean bags.

They’ve also roped in Luna Films, the people in charge of curating local film festivals, to help select and bring in films to be screened.

Finally, to complete the movie-going experience, came the addition of a café to the cinema’s foyer, manned by Group Therapy Coffee. It sells classic movie snacks like popcorn, alongside burgers, pies, and cake, along with sodas, juices and their own coffee blends.

If you’ve ever lamented the limited range of films in Singapore, you now know where to find a great independent cinema.

For all its history, The Projector itself is definitely as fascinating as the movies it screens, and is well worth a visit.

The Projector
Address: 6001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Tower #05-00, Singapore 199589
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 6.30pm – 9pm; Sat, Sun, PH: 1.00pm – 9pm; Closed on Mondays
Website

(Top Image Credit: SINdie & Pocket Projects)

Also, read 10 Shiok Experiences And Eats To Turn Things Up A Notch The Second Half Of May [15-31 May]

8 Hidden Places In Singapore Even Hipsters Aren’t Aware Of

Are you sick of visiting all those same old places that you see on everyone’s Instagram feed? Or roll your eyes at all mainstream activities?

The fact that Singapore is small worsens the situation because there is simply nowhere cool to go anymore! (Or is it?) We have discovered 8 different secret places for everyone that even the hipsters don’t know about and even we, are really impressed with them! :O

1. Marsiling WWII Tunnel & Navel Base

The Marsiling WWII Tunnel & Navel Base is an abandoned military tunnel built during the WWII by the British. It was used as a storage facility for fuel for the Navy but has not been used since Singapore’s independence. All those curious and adventurous explorers shouldn’t give this a miss!

Image credit: Image credit: Image credit: Image credit: Image credit: Image credits: Image credit: The Study‘s Facebook page or from the server at The Library’s sister restaurant, The Study, next to the bar. Shhh, don’t tell anyone we told you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BA9latugzze/?taken-at=39468183

https://www.instagram.com/p/mX5ybxiLsM/?taken-at=39468183

Address:
47 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089153

4. Operation Dagger

[caption id="attachment_3868" align="alignnone" width="700"] Image credit: City Nomads[/caption]

Okay, so is this another abandoned building that is rumoured to be haunted?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAruFcIHg4P/?taken-at=283853306

No, in fact, it’s a place that would transport you Narnia. Okay, we kid. Operation Dagger was named after the late 1950s movement in Singapore to rid the underground secret society in Chinatown. This creepy dark flight of stairs actually leads you to a hidden cocktail bar.

[caption id="attachment_3869" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image credit: Image credit: asiaone[/caption]

7. The Projector 

This is Singapore’s new secret hipster cinema hidden within the depths of Golden Mile Tower.

[caption id="attachment_3916" align="alignnone" width="641"] Image credit: Image credit:

Crazily Cool Alternative Places To Watch Your Movies At & Impress Your Date!

If you are into the cinephilia culture, Discover SG has sourced some alternative film experiences that are far from the usual blockbusters in iMax screens. From homegrown features to top picks at international film festivals, these one-of-a-kind venues provide new space — to screen (at lower cost) and a great network community between industry’s talents and mainstream audience.

Useful sites like Singapore Film Society and Sinema (free screenings islandwide) will provide information on the latest quality film screenings and events.

MovieMob by Ape

*Selected locations islandwide

Since its launch in 2009 till date, MovieMob has been screening outdoor movies in all locations around Singapore. With makeshift movie theatre popups in open areas islandwide, the turnout at their unique drive-in has been very successful.
If you do not own a car, they will always have a separate picnic area and everyone gets to enjoy thematic food sponsored by the event organisers. It often is a splendid weekend as everyone gets to enjoy the silver screen under a starry sky! Wouldn’t this be a perfect idea for a first date? Follow their social media platforms to suggest your choice of movie to be screened!

The Projector

Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road #05-00 Singapore 199589

Paging all hipsters, this is probably the most retro movie experience that one can encounter in Singapore. Just based its captivating location alone, it is not your average cinema for sure. Rediscover an old cinematic icon, Golden Theatre within Golden Mile Tower, was the biggest cinema back in 1973.

After a successful Indigogo crowdfunding campaign, this independent cinema is now refurbished while still preserving the original’s old-school features. This cinema screens indie films (think Cannes Film Festival) and programme curator Gavin Low has expressed, “I believe The Projector can provide a different perspective, broaden the tastes of audiences here, and help develop a community who can call this cinema home.”

They have just recently turned ONE! For more information on their frequent quirky themed events, do check out their Facebook for updates

also read: Alliance Française Theatre

1 Sarkies Road, Newton, Singapore 258130

This French language and cultural institution aims to be a regional influence in contributing to the cultural scene of Singapore. Opening doors to people from all walks of life, Alliance Française de Singapour provides high quality viewing experience in their 236-seats cinema.
Apart from hosting weekly screening of classic and contemporary French films (with English subtitles), the public also gets to enjoy films of other language in their diversified events like Francophonie Festival. For this year 2016’s special, they have even invited director Yann Samuell for its world premiere Le Fantôme de Canterville (The Canterville Ghost) for a Q&A session with the audience.

National Museum of Singapore 

93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897

If you would like to be educated about cinematic culture, one should not miss the National Museum of Singapore’s monthly World Cinema Series. It is a showcase of artistically restored works of international classic.
Home to a retrospective collection of local films, the Gallery Theatre often host events like Perspectives Film Festival and Singapore International Film Festival. Apart from its underground cinémathèque, the National Museum of Singapore also screens occasionally in their Stamford Garden in a relaxing open-air ambience. One can bring their own picnic mats and even BYOB under the stars!

also read: National Library Board

*Selected locations islandwide

In an attempt to promote community awareness in the local scene, the National Library Board has been screening FREE movies islandwide. Apart from loaning physical books, NLB libraries also lend out movie dvds for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Aside from family-friendly blockbusters shown at selected branches, be sure to catch a monthly screening of (artsy-fartsy) film on the first Wednesday of the month at Library@Esplanade.

With all these alternative places to watch a movie, why visit the same old boring cinemas? Embark on an adventurous date by visiting these alternative places instead! Let us know how your movie experience went in the comments!