The Boliche cinemas reopen with films subtitled in Catalan
These are the first cinemas in the country dedicated to cinema with Catalan subtitles
After closing in 2008, the Boliche cinemas in Barcelona have reopened their doors, and have done so with the intention of screening films in their original language version with subtitles in Catalan, a concept which, according to the managers of the venue, Alfons Mas and Rafael Dalmau, “should have been instated as the norm a long time ago”.
The objective of the move is to encourage both the use of Catalan and, “above all, cinema in its original language version” which, in the opinion of the proprietors, “is the only way to watch films”.
Given the current difficulties being experienced by cinemas in general, this particular proposal, aside from a programme exclusively dedicated to original language cinema with Catalan subtitles, also includes a range of complementary activities such as film festivals and series, conferences and training programmes, etc.
The result of the project is the reformation of one of the most celebrated cinemas in Barcelona, with a privileged location at number 508 on the Avenida Diagonal, in the lower floors of the former Casa Portabella. The Boliche cinemas, which get their name from the old bowling alley which used to occupy the same venue, have four completely renovated auditoriums, the largest of which has a seating capacity for 220 people, another with 105 seats, and two smaller ones with 74 and 65 seats respectively.