Joburg has certainly reinvented itself with the rejuvenation of the historically vibrant areas surrounding the city centre. The revamp of Bioscope Theatre is the latest surge of colour brightening the streets of Maboneng Precinct on the ground floor of Main Street Life.

 

 

 

 

Opening its doors in June last year, the Bioscope Theatre is the passion project of Darryl Els and Russell Grant that started in 2008 when they aligned themselves with the mini-cultural empire, Arts on Main. Independence is the heart of the project, a luxury that has slowly been overshadowed; once coming to life through classic art-deco buildings to set up shop in what some might consider largely impersonal shopping malls.

The transformation has resulted in not only an innovative, independent cinema, but it is located within multi-purpose space that encompasses a gallery, a boutique hotel offering cafés and restaurants. This cultural cauldron resonates with the sense of community found in the streets and plays host to African films that are not typically aired on mainstream cinema circuits due to small budgets.  An indie-junkie, skinny-jean dream come true!

Apart from providing the stage for international and locally-made films that would usually bypass the public’s eye, the creation of the Bioscope has enhanced the development of the inner city that is trying to turn full circle to the effervescent city of the past.

The Biscope is a cultural oasis that has already housed the Tri-Continents film festival, We the Peoples Film Festival as well as Gary Thomas Live and The End Is Neigh party. For more information and a guide to what’s currently showing, keep an eye on the website: bioscope.co.za.