the birm*

Memories are all we have…

People grow old and die, buildings fade and crumble. The modern, sterile and wonderful replaces the historical, meaningful and beautiful.

In answer to your question, Moj, the Regal, that old neighbourhood cinema in the birm with its small theatre, old rickety seats, pre-war décor, velvet curtains and friendly projectionist, will be no more at the end of this year. The lease has run out, renovations need to be made…the usual story. While the “owner” (or at least the faithful man who ran the place for the last 100 years) would love to see it stay open, developers have other plans. As always, money is the issue. It’s a pity that this neighbourhood, or even city, icon where movies were cheap and often classic, foreign or straight out weird, may be soon but a memory. The birm and the birm* (along with anyone who ever set foot there) will be forever missing something…