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Cariocas gain another completely renovated street cinema
Published on 12/03/2025 - 15:36 | Updated
MAM's cinematheque room will be opened to the public this week - Vicente de Mello/Disclosure
The modernization of the movie theater at the MAM Cinemateca, at the Museum of Modern Art, will be completed this Thursday, March 13. This is the sixth street cinema to be renovated in the city. The project was made possible with funds from the Viva o Cinema de Rua! program, launched in 2023 by the City of Rio, through RioFilme, an agency linked to the Municipal Department of Culture. The city allocated R$390 from the Paulo Gustavo Law to the project. In addition, the renovation received investments from the State Department of Culture and Creative Economy of Rio de Janeiro, also through the Paulo Gustavo Law.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with the production company Duas Mariolas Filmes, with the support of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Culture. The technical infrastructure for film screenings underwent extensive updates, including the renovation of the booth, the complete replacement of the electrical wiring and the renewal of the audio and lighting systems. The space also received new furniture for welcoming and guiding the public, in addition to the acquisition of essential equipment to ensure accessible sessions.
The Municipal Secretary of Culture, Lucas Padilha, highlights the importance of public investment in the MAM Cinematheque: “We are proud to contribute to the revitalization of this iconic space. The modernization strengthens the street cinema circuit and expands the possibilities for audience formation at the Museum. At 70 years old, the MAM Cinematheque and Brazilian Cinema share a history full of names such as Glauber Rocha, Silvio Tendler and Cacá Diegues. Many spectators became producers, actors and directors, and now return to watch and show new films. There is no cinema in Brazil like the Cinematheque, a true heritage of Rio and a window to the world,” he states.
The Viva o Cinema de Rua! program has already made possible the modernization of five other street cinemas in the city: Ponto Cine de Guadalupe, CineCarioca Penha, Cine Santa, in Santa Teresa, CineCarioca Nova Brasília in Complexo do Alemão, and CineCarioca José Wilker in Laranjeiras, all reopened in 2024.
For the CEO of RioFilme, Leonardo Edde, the program reaffirms the city's prominent role in promoting audiovisual production: “With Viva o Cinema de Rua!, Rio de Janeiro reinforces its leadership in the film industry. Modernizing and reopening theaters like the Cinemateca do MAM not only strengthens audience development, but also boosts the creative economy and reaffirms our vocation as a reference for national cinema.
The next space supported by the program, to be reopened in May of this year, will be one of the Grupo Estação theaters in Botafogo. With this, seven street cinemas will be delivered to the residents of Rio, all equipped with the most advanced audio and projection technology, as well as accessibility features.
Programming of the new cinematheque room
To mark the reopening of the Cosme Alves Netto Auditorium, a special program has been prepared, featuring Brazilian films never before shown in Rio de Janeiro and restored classics. The opening session will show Salomé, the big winner of the last edition of the Brasília Festival. This event also kicks off the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the MAM Cinematheque. As is tradition, all tickets for the program will be free.
The auditorium has a unique and specialized profile, dedicated not only to the screening of films from different eras and origins, but also to the preservation of historical forms of exhibition of films, videos and digital archives. The renovation has maintained the Cinemateca’s ability to reproduce older image and sound technologies – such as 35mm, U-Matic, Betacam, VHS and Blu-ray – and has enhanced the space’s capacity to project the most modern digital standards, including 4K projections.
Details of the renovation and new equipment
The renovation included the installation of new projection and sound equipment. The digital projector, with 4K resolution, has 13.000 lumens of adjustable power, which allows for displays at brightness levels that meet both modern standards and older digital projection formats. It also offers REC 709 and BT 2020 color space options, ensuring that digital films are presented in their original color settings, respecting the time of their production.
The screen, measuring 6,60 x 2,80 meters, is a Harkness Hall hybrid model, Matt White 1.0, with microperforation. This allows for suitable displays for both films on film – which require perforated screens – and digital projections, which use screens without perforations. The 1.0 technology ensures the precise return of projected light, without the need for artificial color adjustments. Harkness is the leading manufacturer of cinema screens in the world, supplying equipment to some of the most renowned movie theaters, such as the Dolby Theatre, traditional venue for the Oscars ceremony.
The new sound system is equipped with the CP 950 model, compatible with Dolby Atmos technology. All speakers have been refurbished, and the auditorium’s audio configuration is flexible, allowing for everything from monaural sound to a 7.1 multichannel system, with various standards, such as Dolby, DTS and others. The room is also prepared for the implementation of the full Dolby Atmos system soon.
In addition, the work on the auditorium and screening booth includes a complete electrical overhaul, with new wires and cables, and the installation of lighting and sound systems suitable for lectures, courses, meetings and small musical performances. The stage has been renovated and will have new furniture for presentations. The entrance to the Cinemateca has also been renovated, including a new mobile ticket booth.
The corridor leading to the auditorium will have floor lighting to help viewers find their way around, and the internal corridors will be equipped with information displays. Next to the auditorium, the new MAM Cantina is now open, a gastronomic space that offers meals, coffees and drinks, as well as the museum's library.
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