“Bytowne Cinema” by Keven Boudriau
Originally titled the Nelson Theatre, the Cinema was built by local entrepreneur Hyman Berlin, and opened its doors for the first time on February 10th, 1947. Several years after opening, the building was leased to a chain of cinemas for nearly fourty years. "With the new equipment, the Nelson became home to many long-running film ‘events’. The Sound Of Music enjoyed a very long tenure in 1965, followed by other grand musicals like Funny Girl. Patrons might recall seeing El Cid, 2001: A Space Odyssey or The Exorcist here for the first time. Later, the cinema played host to big box-office hits like Jaws, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Star Trek and some of their respective sequels" (ByTowne Cinema, 2024).
It was then purchased by Bruce White and Jean Cloutier, who reopened the Cinema under the name: "The ByTowne" in 1988, in honor of Bytown, Ottawa's original name. This is when the cinema "continued an independent programming policy that had been started at the Towne Cinema (on Beechwood Ave.) back in 1973" (ByTowne Cinema, 2024), earning its reputation for playing films which were not typically screened at multiplex theatres, screening mainly alternative and repertory films. This continued until the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the theatre to shut its doors in 2020. Fortunately, its doors would then reopen September 8th, 2021, as it was sold to new owners Daniel Demois and Andy Willick from Toronto, who reopened it under the same name (Wikipedia, 2024).
The theatre now stands as a popular venue for watching independent, cult, and international films. More than just a place to watch films, the ByTowne serves as a vibrant community space, regularly hosting events that bring people together. By hosting events, independent or local film-makers, and other organizations, ByTowne Cinema showcases its strengths in creating a space that allows for communities to engage with each other and enjoy great movies. By championing unique stories and encouraging dialogue, the cinema demonstrates its commitment to creating an inclusive environment where people can come together, engage meaningfully with one another, and celebrate the transformative power of great cinema.
“It’s a hub for creativity, connection, and community...”
References:
ByTowne Cinema. Info/Contact. (2024, September 20).https://www.bytowne.ca/info-contact/.
Wikipedia. ByTowne Cinema. (November 8, 2024). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ByTowne_Cinema.
