The Humming Tree Movie Club
The club’s first screening was held on July 30 this year with a double bill of Hitchcock films: The Lady Vanishes and The 39 Steps . Soumya Kalapa, who is in charge of design and culture, at The Humming Tree, says: “The aim is to democratise film viewings. We want it to be a space where anyone can come watch a film. Right now, we have just started and are looking to expand.”
As for sourcing the films, she says, “We have been screening classics, so most of them are in the public domain.” Entry is free for the screenings. RSVP on The Humming Tree’s Facebook page. Film-goers will also get free popcorn.
The Humming Tree is located at 949, 12th Main Road, Indiranagar. Call 9886618386.
Lahe Lahe
Under the CrossBorder Cinema series, which began last year with a screening of Bicycle Thieves , Lahe Lahe screens films from across the world. According to Shashwath Malli, community manager, Lahe Lahe, “We screen films that have a universal narrative. We believe movies are a good way to introduce ourselves to different cultures around the world and thereby gain a broad understanding of these cultures. Under this series, a wide range of films have been screened from Breathless and Pan’s Labrinth to Rear Window and Embrace of the Serpent . Screenings are held on the last Friday of every month. The next screening is of Cinema Paradiso, scheduled for September 27.
Visit lahelahe.com to buy tickets priced at ₹100. Lahe Lahe is located at No 2906, 2907, HAL 2nd Stage. Call 9886294444.
Bangalore Film Society
Started in 1977, it had 1,000 members till around 2003. George Kutty, secretary of the society, says: “It has come down to 100 now. People have a lot of options in terms of entertainment, and with the Internet, they have easy access to films. That is why the membership has dropped for all film societies.” Till recently, the film society held screenings at NGMA. However, now they are held at The Courtyard on alternate Thursdays. Entry is free. There is an annual membership fee of ₹2,000, which gives members access to film literature and library as well as programmes organised by the society. The society also organises an international film festival on water.
The next screening is Dust in the Wind on September 12.
Visit bangalorefilmsociety.org for details. Bangalore Film Society is located at 4th Cross Road, Thyagaraju Layout, Maruthi Sevanagar. Call 9448064513.
Suchitra Film Society
Suchitra Film Society was started in 1971 by a group of young engineers who were interested in cinema. The present building was inaugurated by Bharat Ratna award winner Satyajit Ray in 1980.
Vrushanka Bhat, secretary of the society, says, “The Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy and the society exist as two independent bodies.”
The earliest avatar of the Bengaluru International Film Festival was organised by the society in 2006.
Vrushanka says that in the last year, they have screened around 180 films, including Iranian, German, and Kannada films and adds, “We also hold screenings in collaboration with other organisations.”
There is an annual membership fee of ₹2,000 and a subsequent renewal fee of ₹1,000. Sign up on suchitra.org.
Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy is located at 36, 9th Main, BV Karanth Road, Banashankari Stage II. Call 26711785.
