I used to dream of being a filmmaker, and I didn’t know much about mise-en-scene or plot, but I watched a lot of student films and independent films. It was just a dream that passed like a breeze when I was a child, so it’s a distant memory, but I feel a certain nostalgia from the name ‘independent, art’. I’ve gathered a list of movie theaters where you can see one or two of these movies. It’s because it says it’s a place for artistic movies. It’s already poetic from the entrance.
1. Art Nine
ArtNine is a cinema that deals with independent and art films, and ItNine is a cafe and bar. ArtNine and ItNine are a movie theater, restaurant, and cafe in one. On the rooftop cinema terrace, you can enjoy special movies screened that day.
Enjoy an artistic movie under the wide-open folding doors, and make a reservation here.
2. Emu Cinema
Emu Cinema is named after the Renaissance thinker Erasmus. This art cinema is loved by the 2030s for its trendy exhibitions and programs. The rooftop is open for outdoor movie festivals such as the Starlight Film Festival during the warmer months.
There are three movie theaters, including a performance hall, a cafe, and an outdoor screening room under the cultural complex Emu. For movie schedules and ticketing information, check out the official Instagram.
3. Self-Closure
This is a movie theater located near Nakseong Station that can close itself at any time to satisfy the desire to run to the theater and watch the movie of your choice. You can freely visit and watch any movie of the month during business hours. You can choose any number of movies. Short films can be viewed at a low screening fee of 4,000 won per movie. Students get a 1,000 won discount.
4. Hepsiva Theater
Hepsiva Theater looks more like a bar than a movie theater, but it’s actually a theater. It’s a movie theater that plays classic movies and a wine bar. The Hepsiva Theater, which has a mini movie theater, shows the classic movie of the day every day at 7pm. They also have a monthly movie club where you can watch movies and talk about them together.
As a wine bar, there is no charge for the movie, but you’ll be able to enjoy a glass or two of wine while watching a surprisingly entertaining classic movie.
5. Movieland
Designers who built movie theaters because they love movies. Mobiles Group, the company behind design brand Movieland, opened the cinema a few months ago. Everything from the hot dog heritage to the homepage has been touched by Mobilwerks designers, and the films are selected by invited curators. Previous curators include actor Park Jung-min, comedian Moon Sang-hoon, and director Shin Woo-seok. It’s also interesting to see the programs that are planned in collaboration with Whatcha. It’s a movie theater where you can find gems that will only get better with age.
6. Seoul Art Cinema
Tucked away on the quiet Jeongdong-gil is the Seoul Art Cinema. It’s a non-profit Cinematheque whose screenings date back to classic art films of the 1920s. Since its opening in 2002, it’s been presenting works of cinematic significance. If you’re not a cinephile, there’s a good chance you’ll never see a movie you’ve never seen before. You might find something unexpectedly inspiring in a movie from a hundred years ago.
7. Myeongpil Film Art Center
Myungfilm is a multi-cultural space of Myungfilm, a production company that has produced films such as ‘Access,’ ‘Joint Security Area JSA,’ and ‘Introduction to Architecture. From a movie theater with a Dolby Atmos system, to a cafe, pub, showroom, archive room, screening room, and merchandise shop, the five floors offer a variety of cultural experiences.