Jason KingFarewell Academy Twin - a Sad Day in Cinema
June 27th 2010 01:08
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An Icon has Closed
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Today is a very sad day indeed - one of Sydney's iconic cinemas is shutting its doors due to rent negotiation failures. The Academy Twin has been sitting on Oxford St since before I can remember and the decor has not changed either since that time. This is a part of what has made it so special - it was a friend to visit and watch art house films at decreased prices.
A letter from the cinema owners:
You can post your farewell comments on their site HERE
Here is the article from the SMH by Clare Morgan (arts editor):
My memories range from dating one of their managers, watching my friend Geoff run out of the first screening of Salo in Australia after an 18yr ban so he could throw up and countless solo visits to watch art house product - I always preferred the Academy over the Verona - it had a soul and a history and was an icon of the Australian Cinema Industry. I do hope some agreement can be reached into the future because this is another Sydney establishment that should not have to fade into obscurity.
A letter from the cinema owners:
Dear patrons and friends
The credits will roll at the Academy Twin, one of Sydney's original and most beloved two-screen arthouse cinemas, for the final time on Sunday June 27. Our final screenings will be ANIMAL KINGDOM (MA15 ) at 7.45pm and THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (MA15 ) at 8.00pm.
Regrettably, despite every effort being made to keep the Academy open, and great support amongst the Sydney cinema-going community, an agreement over a sustainable tenancy with the building's owner was not able to be reached.
The credits will roll at the Academy Twin, one of Sydney's original and most beloved two-screen arthouse cinemas, for the final time on Sunday June 27. Our final screenings will be ANIMAL KINGDOM (MA15 ) at 7.45pm and THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (MA15 ) at 8.00pm.
Regrettably, despite every effort being made to keep the Academy open, and great support amongst the Sydney cinema-going community, an agreement over a sustainable tenancy with the building's owner was not able to be reached.
You can post your farewell comments on their site HERE
Here is the article from the SMH by Clare Morgan (arts editor):
THE final credits are about to roll for one of Sydney's best-loved arthouse cinemas. The Academy Twin in Paddington will close at the end of the month.
The cinema's operator, Palace Cinemas, has been unable to renew its lease on the building and the cinema will close on June 27.
The executive director of Palace Cinemas, Benjamin Zeccola, said the decision was devastating but the company could not reach agreement with the building's owner, the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney.
Mr Zeccola said the building needed an upgrade, including new projection equipment and seating, which would cost more than $1 million.
''Five years ago we first started presenting proposals on how we could extend and renovate the cinema. Up to 5pm [on Wednesday] we were trying to find ways to keep it open. But all of our rental offers were rejected outright.
''We would have been happy to fund it but that does affect the rental. At each junction we haven't been able to agree to terms.''
Since it opened with Roman Polanski's Macbeth in 1974, the Academy has offered a steady diet of foreign and arthouse films, with Brokeback Mountain, the Three Colours trilogy and Lost in Translation among its most popular films.
Palace also operates the nearby Chauvel and Verona cinemas and all three were programmed to complement each other, Mr Zeccola said.
''We can make all three work, there's enough room for them  It's not about demand, it's about the amenity of the building and the rental. Even now, it could still operate successfully.''
About 15 casual staff would be left out of work.
''It's been a sad day for the company,'' Mr Zeccola said.
''Really, we're much more accustomed to opening cinemas than closing them.''
The cinema's operator, Palace Cinemas, has been unable to renew its lease on the building and the cinema will close on June 27.
The executive director of Palace Cinemas, Benjamin Zeccola, said the decision was devastating but the company could not reach agreement with the building's owner, the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney.
Mr Zeccola said the building needed an upgrade, including new projection equipment and seating, which would cost more than $1 million.
''Five years ago we first started presenting proposals on how we could extend and renovate the cinema. Up to 5pm [on Wednesday] we were trying to find ways to keep it open. But all of our rental offers were rejected outright.
''We would have been happy to fund it but that does affect the rental. At each junction we haven't been able to agree to terms.''
Since it opened with Roman Polanski's Macbeth in 1974, the Academy has offered a steady diet of foreign and arthouse films, with Brokeback Mountain, the Three Colours trilogy and Lost in Translation among its most popular films.
Palace also operates the nearby Chauvel and Verona cinemas and all three were programmed to complement each other, Mr Zeccola said.
''We can make all three work, there's enough room for them  It's not about demand, it's about the amenity of the building and the rental. Even now, it could still operate successfully.''
About 15 casual staff would be left out of work.
''It's been a sad day for the company,'' Mr Zeccola said.
''Really, we're much more accustomed to opening cinemas than closing them.''
My memories range from dating one of their managers, watching my friend Geoff run out of the first screening of Salo in Australia after an 18yr ban so he could throw up and countless solo visits to watch art house product - I always preferred the Academy over the Verona - it had a soul and a history and was an icon of the Australian Cinema Industry. I do hope some agreement can be reached into the future because this is another Sydney establishment that should not have to fade into obscurity.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I too preferred Academy over Verona. Such is life.
Good on you for doing the post Jason.
A sad day when a great cinema has to close its doors permanently.
Comment by Jason King
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They have said negotiations will remain open - what would the Greek owners prefer, a long lasting cinema patron in there or no-one? I am hoping something gets sorted out, because as of today he has no-one and it's not like another business can just move in there.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Fearful that we would miss out on tickets - my aunt sent the most angelic of her sons to make his way to the front of the ticket queue - for which he was rewarded with the tickets we so keenly sought.
Only problem was he asked to sit at the very front and centre - do'h.
Great memories none the less.
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Mountain Fog
I would have not known unless you had.
Having worked in many theatres, of the live stage variety (some which were also for cinema) I keenly feel each and every theatre loss.
Sadly, this is the second time, in that strip, that a cinema was closed, and again by the Greek Orthodox Community.
I saw Repulsion at the old cinema on the corner of Oxford and South Dowling Streets, a large and wonderful old cinema, that the Orthodox Community also owned, and closed, turning it into their community centre for years, now it has a number of things going on, a cafe has taken over the front foyer area now I think.
We have lost far too many old great theatres, some of the best were in the CBD, some were true picture palaces, and I had the pleasure and honour of attending a number of them before we lost them.
Huge crystal chandeliers, sweeping marble staircases, fabulously over the top decore, really big down filled cushioned chairs that allowed each person their own arm rest, each side, and then there were the box seats in a few of them, draped with rich red velvet curtains and ornately decorated, where my pals and I, around the age of 11 to 12 or so, used to sit in and pretend to be royalty, cheekily giving the royal wave to those in the dress circle and stalls, much to the audience amusement at times.
A sad day indeed.
cheers
fog
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
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I wish I got to see some of the grand cinemas with the chandeliers - I have heard of one on the central coast that is totally over the top. I just have to remember where it is
Money sux when things like this end up happening - if I win that $50MIL this week in Oz Lotto I am totally getting onboard
Comment by AmyHuang
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All these small businesses getting shut down, I liked the Academy, been there for numerous film festivals!! Where am I going to get my independent film fix now? Even Dendy has gone slightly mainstream these days...
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Mountain Fog
sorry mate, but I bags the 50 mill first!
But, I will remember my friends..tee hee!
cheers
fog