The Eden Theatre in La Ciotat, on the Mediterranean coast of France, between Marseilles and Toulon, is regarded as the oldest cinema in the world.[1][2][3][4] The Guinness World Records also considers the Eden Theatre as the "oldest purpose-built cinema in operation".[5]
History
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In 1895 it was the site of the first public showing of a film, “Arrivé d’un Train à La Ciotat“ (Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat), a film made by the Lumière brothers. Although by far the best known, this was not the first film shown at the Eden Theatre, which was “Barque Sortant du Port” (Boat leaving the Port).
In its early years, the Eden Theatre was used for vaudeville shows, concerts and plays, as well as boxing and wrestling events. This continued after it became a cinema, and featured such notable performers as Edith Piaf and Yves Montand.
In 1982 the manager of the cinema, Georges Giordana, was murdered during a robbery, and this was followed by years of serious financial troubles, culminating in closing of the cinema in 1995.[6][7]
However, in 2013, after extensive refurbishment it was reopened and has again become a popular cinema.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Inside the world's oldest cinema: France's Eden Theatre". France 24. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ Pauline Juan (11 August 2024). "L'histoire de l'Éden-Théâtre, plus vieux cinéma du monde situé à La Ciotat, se découvre lors de visites". La Provence. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
L'histoire de l'Éden-Théâtre, lieu historique de La Ciotat, commence à la fin du XIXe siècle. Antoine Lumière, le père des frères Lumière, vient d'acheter une demeure sur les bords de la Méditerranée.
- ^ Eleanor Beardsley. "Still Playing: The Theater That Saw The Birth Of Cinema". Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "Eden Theatre". Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-purpose-built-cinema-in-operation
- ^ "World's oldest movie theater reopens". Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "World's oldest cinema to reopen in France's La Ciotat". Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ Lily Radziemski. "Inside the world's oldest running cinema and its fight to survive". Retrieved 9 November 2024.