The legendary Cinema Rex is just a stone’s throw from Gent-Sint-Pieters train station. This protected monument dates back to 1933, and every (older) resident of Ghent knows its monumental façade and stunning Art Deco interiors. But since 1982, no more tickets have been sold at Cinema Rex, and no films have been screened. In recent years, the building stood empty and gradually fell into disrepair. Soon, however, it will be brought back to life. In the coming years, this old city cinema will be restored and transformed into the House of Cinema, which will become the new home of Film Fest Gent.

In September 2024, the public was invited to visit Cinema Rex every Sunday free of charge. Visitors were only allowed into the parterre of the theater: the balcony and projection booth were off-limits due to their poor condition. That’s why Film Fest Gent asked Manitoba to create a short documentary that would inform visitors about the past, present, and future of Cinema Rex. The focus was not only on historical facts but also on the emotional value of this cultural heritage.

The video on this webpage is a cutdown version. The full documentary runs 21 minutes and is richly illustrated with archival footage, historic publications, audio interviews, and photographs.