Curtains to close on Monico Movies
May
After 10 hugely successful years, the final curtain will soon fall on much loved community cinema Monico Movies.
In 2015, a group of local movie enthusiasts were invited by filmmakers Viv and Harley Jones to discuss the idea of opening a community cinema, screening a variety of films.
Rhiwbina Community Cinema – a not for profit, volunteer led cinema – was born. It was named Monico Movies as a tribute to the much missed local cinema ‘The Monico’ which opened in Rhiwbina in 1936 and closed in 2003.
Monico Movies started from scratch with no equipment. However, screening films was initially made possible through the loan of equipment from Film Hub Wales and, after the first year as a community cinema group, funding was secured from the Big Lottery to buy a projector and screen.
Monico Movies hosted its first screening, The Grand Budapest Hotel, in October 2015 at Canolfan Beulah. Since then, shows have been held on the 2nd Saturday of each month for ten years. More than 200 films have been screened, attracting a loyal audience, with up to 80 people attending each month. Five local shops – Serenade, Victoria Fearn Gallery, Ginger Whites, Deri Stores and the Honey Pot – have also supported Monico Movies, by selling tickets. This continued support by the audience and ticket outlets has ensured the community cinema’s ongoing success.
In volunteering to plan and host an annual film programme, the dedicated crew have contributed time and skills, including web and poster design, social media publicity, film research, administration and projection. The volunteer group curated a varied programme across a range of different film genres. These included world cinema, independent films, old favourites, forgotten classics and new releases. One memorable highlight was screening Buster Keaton’s silent movie, The General, with live piano accompaniment. Monico Movies has also been proud to showcase local film makers.
Monico Movies revived the tradition of a regular, local cinema experience for the community in Rhiwbina. Having achieved the milestone of 10 years, the group members have decided the time is right to retire – to hang up the film reels, put away the usherette’s tray and dim the lights one last time.
The final Monico Movies show will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 12th July 2025, when the Welsh made film ‘Mr Burton’, about the early life of actor Richard Burton, will be screened and the audience of Monico Movies will celebrate their love of cinema one last time.
