Inside the Industry x Kumu: Movies and dining with Cinema ’76

Films and food have gone hand-in-hand since the early days of cinema. Of course, during today’s global crisis, most theaters and concession stands have ceased to operate.

Among the few independent theaters trying to survive in the Philippines, Cinema ’76 has found a way to revive that perfect pairing by opening its own al fresco cafe.

Cinema ’76 is the “microcinema” arm of TBA Studios – producer of award-winning indie films like Heneral Luna, Sunday Beauty Queen, and Lingua Franca.

Being a microcinema pioneer in Metro Manila, Cinema ’76 almost immediately became a hub for film buffs searching for festival favorites that were not being screened in the big theaters. However, after the pandemic shuttered independent and commercial theaters alike, it’s not just cinemas but the entire Filipino film industry that is now in flux.

Located on the 2nd floor of the Anonas LRT City Center, the newly opened Cinema ’76 shines a beacon of hope for both film lovers and film professionals. Its staff consists of former cinema workers who are pivoting during this pandemic. The cafe’s menu also references the cinema culture many are missing: including a Goyo-inspired mango cake and popcorn frappe.

In this episode, Cinema ’76 Film Society and Cafe manager Tere Villonco tells us what it takes to turn a movie venue into a food business fit for the pandemic era.

If you like this episode, you might also enjoy Poetry and ‘improper cinema’ with Khavn and Independent film and streaming with ‘Lingua Franca.’ And if you haven’t subscribed yet, Inside the Industry has a new episode out every #HustleMonday. – Rappler.com

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