The Top Movie Theatres in Brindisi

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of movies. Not so much the type of fan who goes gaa-gaa over Hollywood stars and starlets, but the physical act of going to a movie. There’s something enjoyable about going into a cinema and hunkering down in your seat, seeing the lights go dim around you and losing yourself for the next 90 minutes or so – courtesy of whatever subject matter is of the film you’re seeing.

Fortunately for me, Brindisi has four movie theatres and they are all within walking distance of one another. As a matter of fact, I might as well add that the city of Brindisi is just big enough that pretty much EVERYTHING is within walking distance. Which makes it easy to go for a stroll with friends or family and do a bit of shopping, grab a bit to eat and catch a movie all over the course of a casual night out.

But movie theatres are the order of business on this day. And at least three of the four cinemas in Brindisi are worth mentioning. Not only because they manage to show a healthy offering of Italian and French films, but because they each have a bit of history to them that adds to the lustre of this small gem of a town I call home.

Unfortunately for visitors, none of these movie houses showcase films in English or with Subtitles. Back in the 1970’s that wasn’t the case: it was cheaper to take an English-language film and slap subtitles on the bottom of the frame, but as Italian cinema came into it’s own, dubbing the film in Italian was the way to go. I don’t particularly mind because I’m fluent in Italian. But even for someone who is not, I think seeing a film in a foreign language can be an enjoyable experience.

A slight detour: I’ve travelled all over Italy, and with the exception of a multiplex in Milan, I’ve never seen a movie theatre in Italy that shows matinees. If you want to catch a flick in the afternoon, then think again. I’ve never quite understood this. The closest thing I can come up with is that life pretty much shuts down between 1:30 and 4:30 so who’s awake to see a movie at the time anyway?

First up is the Cinema Eden (72100 Brindisi (BR) – 100, Via Appia, tel: 0831 – 525106) which sits on the tale-end of the fabled Via Appia – better known as the Appian Way – the road that started in Rome and ended at the port of Brindisi (learn more about the Appian Way by checking the AC archives). These days Via Appia is one of the main thoroughfares in Brindisi and has long since been covered over with asphalt. The Cinema Eden sprung up about 30 years ago as part of an urbanization project to enhance the area. The Cinema Eden has fought through some rough times – most notably when it turned into an Adult X-Rated movie theatre back in the mid-1980’s. Apparently, all those billboards with naked women rubbed people the wrong way (if you know what I mean and I think you do) and the cinema reverted back to a public cinema in the late 1980’s. I personally prefer the Cinema Eden because it stands about 50 yards from my house, making it virtually impossible for me to miss the beginning of a movie, no matter how late my wife is running.

Next on our list of ‘Top Movie Theaters in Brindisi” is the Cinema Impero (Via de’Terribile, 4, tel: 0831 – 523846) The Cinema Impero sits right in the middle of downtown Brindisi, conveniently located on the corner of Via Garibaldi and Via de Terribile’. The Cinema Impero was built back in the late 1960’s and was actually one of two cinemas (the other was Cinema di Giulio, now closed) meant as a sort of replacement for Brindisi’s original opera house; the Teatro Verde, which closed in the 1930’s. Why the heck the city waited 30-odd years to replace its opera house (which should have never been shut down in the first place) is a fine example of Italy’s “get it done tomorrow” philosophy. But I digress. The Cinema Impero has it’s movie screen set back on the stage which frees up plenty of space for plays, musicals, fashion shows and just about anything else you can think of.

Last but not least is the Cinema Universal (38, Piazza Crispi Francesco, tel: 0831 – 521545) which sits right next door to Brindisi’s train station. At some point or another I’m sure the logic was, “Hey, let’s put a movie theatre here so people can go to a movie while they wait for their train!” not a bad idea if you’re a tourist waiting to travel north to Rome or even farther. The Cinema Universal is the oldest one in Brindisi, having been built in the 1940’s. Oddly enough, it STILL looks like it was built in the 1940’s and I don’t mean that as a compliment. The Cinema Universal has THE most uncomfortable seats I’ve ever stuck my ass in. Finally in 2003, the cinema underwent a completely refurbished interior. Everything that is, except the SEATS. I stay away from the Cinema Universal unless I’m feeling nostalgic or unless I want to punish my daughter.

A final word on all these cinemas. They offer virtually no parking whatsoever. But that is not news, because Brindisi is one of the least parking-friendly towns I’ve ever run across. All the more reason to go on foot. You’ll get where you want to go a lot quicker and you won’t have to worry about parking.