New Micro Cinema Opens in Ridgewood, Queens
Ridgewood, Queens, welcomes a new kind of cinema—a micro-movie theater with just 44 seats, brought to life by HBO star John Wilson. This unique venue, aptly named Low Cinema, showcases an eclectic mix of films that includes everything from classics to unconventional military and prison flicks.
Located at 70-11 60th Street, the 750-square-foot theater plans to screen both 16mm and digital films starting in mid-May.
Wilson, who has been passionate about film since his teenage years, expressed to the Post that opening a theater with friends has been a long-time dream. Interestingly, this is the first new cinema to open in the neighborhood in nearly a century. The last theater in the area closed its doors in 1927—now a CVS Pharmacy.
Once the longest-running theater in the country, the Ridgewood Theatre on Myrtle Avenue was the final cinema to shut down back in 2008, after serving the community for 992 days straight. The building currently houses a blinking fitness center, but the original marquee remains intact.
Residents lamented having to travel to larger venues in places like Atlas Park or even Brooklyn just to watch a movie. “Ridgewood is a film desert,” noted Cosmo Bjorkenheim, who co-owns the theater with Wilson and artist Davis Foulks. “There are no cinemas here… so the idea is for it to work as a cinema in your neighborhood.”
According to Bjorkenheim, the film selection will feature everything from “vague schlock” to “cult classics.”
The interior of Low Cinema mirrors the quirky nature of its film offerings, complete with vintage sheets, scrounged signs, and other eclectic decorations. Wilson even repurposed old Christmas decorations and created sculptures using recycled materials, including “real” human teeth.
Walls adorned with plaques of famous actors, like Jack Nicholson and Sandra Bullock, were salvaged from a Hollywood-themed Burger King nearby. Wilson shared that he often digs around former drive-in locations to find these treasures over the years, hoping to showcase them in one place.
The bathroom spaces double as display areas, featuring wallpaper made from snipped newspaper headlines that offer a sarcastic touch. Some highlights include titles like “severe leaks” and “dairy queen nightmare.”
The micro cinema recently had its soft launch with a sold-out audience screening the 1903 silent short “Roubet and Mandy’s Coney Island,” paired with the 2002 romantic comedy “Two Weeks Notice” featuring Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock.
The event included a post-screening panel featuring city planners and local podcasters, stimulating discussions about urban change. Wilson pointed out that “Two Weeks Notice” captures significant themes about local development and its implications for communities.
Attendees expressed excitement about the quirky programming and the revival of local cinema. “I’m really looking forward to this,” said Nelly Metcalf from Glendale. “It’s creative and fun.” Podcaster Lily Marotta added, “You can catch silent films about Coney Island one night and then dive into underrated Sandra Bullock classics the next. It’s a great asset for the community.”
