Cinemes Verdi

Cinemes Verdi is a cinema complex located on Carrer de Verdi and Carrer de Torrijos in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Spain. It is widely regarded as a reference point for cinephiles, offering a programme far removed from commercial multiplex circuits. The original single-screen cinema opened on 11 February 1926 as the Salón Ateneo Cine, in a space previously occupied by a theatre called Moratín. In 1983, Enric Pérez took over programming, and the cinema became the first complex in Barcelona to specialise in independent cinema in original version with subtitles. A major renovation on 23 October 1987 divided the single auditorium into a three-screen multiplex, and further expansions followed in 1992 and 1995, the latter adding four screens under the name Verdi Park with an entrance on Carrer de Torrijos. Over the years, the cinema also extended its programming to other venues such as the Moderno (until 1990), the Nápoles, and the Méliès. In January 2015, reports emerged that the cinemas were at risk of closure; on 30 July 2015, they were acquired by A Contracorriente Films, an independent film distributor. The cinema has received numerous accolades, including the Sant Jordi Film Award in 1989 and 1992, the Butaca Awards in 2007, recognition as best cinema in Barcelona by Time Out magazine in 2009, and the Medal of Honour of Barcelona in 2013. Today, Cinemes Verdi continues to operate as a key venue for arthouse and independent cinema in Barcelona.

The first film exhibition hall at number 32 Carrer de Verdi was inaugurated on 11 February 1926 under the name Salón Ateneo Cine, in the premises that had housed a theatre called Moratín. On 23 October 1987, a renovation was inaugurated that divided the single auditorium, with stalls and amphitheatre, into a three-screen multiplex: the stalls became the main screen and the amphitheatre was split into two screens. On that date, the films The Maltese Falcon, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and a Streep film were screened. Later, in 1992, what had been a dance hall on the upper floor was converted into two more screens. The complex was expanded in 1995 with four additional screens, with an entrance on Carrer de Torrijos and the name Verdi Park. Programmed since 1983 by Enric Pérez, still as a single screen, it was the first complex in Barcelona to specialise in independent cinema in original version with subtitles. Its exhibition philosophy changed over the years, as did the cultural consumption habits of the public, so that the most demanding and radical cinema of its early period progressively gave way to a more eclectic programme. Cines Verdi also expanded, first to the Moderno cinema (from which they disassociated in 1990), then to the Nápoles (with two more screens), and recently to the programming of the Méliès, owned by former critic and filmmaker Carles Balagué. The Verdi had to face competition from the Renoir chain from Madrid, which established itself in Barcelona in the 1990s with Renoir Les Corts and Renoir Floridablanca, and from Icaria Yelmo, inclined towards a more commercial vision of original version. In January 2015, it was published that the cinemas were in danger of closure, and on 30 July of the same year that they had been bought by A Contracorriente Films, an independent film distributor. The cinema has received several awards and recognitions: the Sant Jordi Film Award in 1989 and 1992; the Butaca Awards in 2007; named best cinema in Barcelona by Time Out magazine in 2009; and the Medal of Honour of Barcelona in 2013, 'for a long career in the field of film dissemination, with an offer of quality cinema away from commercial circuits.'

• First film exhibition hall opens at Carrer de Verdi 32 as Salón Ateneo Cine.

• Enric Pérez begins programming the cinema, still as a single screen.

• Renovation divides the single auditorium into a three-screen multiplex.

• Awarded the Sant Jordi Film Award.

• Disassociated from the Moderno cinema.

• Upper-floor dance hall converted into two additional screens; awarded the Sant Jordi Film Award.

• Expanded with four more screens under the name Verdi Park, with entrance on Carrer de Torrijos.

• Received the Butaca Awards.

• Named best cinema in Barcelona by Time Out magazine.

• Awarded the Medal of Honour of Barcelona.

• Reported to be in danger of closure.

• Acquired by A Contracorriente Films, an independent film distributor.

Independent arthouse cinema known for original-version and quality film programming, away from commercial circuits.

• Cinema screenings

  Independent and original-version films.

1. 1Cines Verdi - Wikipediaes.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cinemes Verdi - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official websitecines-verdi.com
4. 4404 - No encontradobarcelona.cines-verdi.com