From the early days of cinema, Ghent boasted a vibrant film culture. Across the city, various cinemas dotted the landscape, from grand, stately buildings to small neighborhood theaters. The Capitole, Savoy, Majestic, Plaza, Select, Eldorado, Century, and Rex were just a few of the over 30 cinema halls scattered throughout the city center and suburbs.
Sources: persblog.be, thesis by Lies van de Vijver "Gent Kinemastad", sogent, beeldbank.stad.gent, Roger Laute, Bart de Graeve
Ghent 'Kinemastad'
During its peak, the city had a diverse array of cinema halls. In the city center, one could enjoy movies in beautifully adorned theaters, while the suburbs hosted numerous neighborhood cinemas. The nickname 'Gent Kinemastad' also owes itself to the many theaters outside the center, such as the Royal in Sleepstraat, the Novy in Brugse Poort, the Metro on Ottergemsesteenweg, or the Ganda on Bevrijdingslaan. In 1952, there were approximately 30 cinema halls in total. Only two cinemas—Capitole and Vooruit—had capacities exceeding 1500 seats; most had between 500 and 700 seats. Unlike in many cities where cinemas thrived in more upscale neighborhoods, the majority of Ghent's cinema halls were situated in working-class areas.
The old cinemas in Ghent were sometimes associated with the ideological leanings of their operators or owners, a phenomenon unthinkable today. The Vooruit and the Cameo were linked to the socialist movement, while the Plaza was associated with liberals. Some smaller theaters bore a Catholic stamp (such as the Casino, the Nova, and the Pax). However, the political affiliation of the theater operator ultimately proved insignificant; people primarily came for the films.
Velstraat, the Ghent Mecca of Cinema Halls
Around the city's most famous shopping street, there were five cinema halls: the Majestic, Eldorado, Plaza, Casino, and slightly further, the Savoy. The latter mainly catered to a French-speaking audience and screened many (quality) French films. To distinguish themselves from competitors, programming was paramount. The Century was known for its westerns and war films; musicals and German-language films were the trademark of the Plaza, while the Capitole and Majestic showcased higher-quality films and highly acclaimed Disney cartoons. Low-budget B-movies were shown at cinemas like Rex and Select. Other cinemas, like the Vooruit, catered to a more populist audience, with programming often leaning towards ideology.
As the years passed, this 'segregation' in Ghent's cinema world faded. This stamp was completely nonexistent when the city's first multiplex cinema complex opened. The arrival of Decascoop, with its 12 screens and over 3100 seats—actual seats, not just velvet folding chairs—significantly altered the cinema landscape. This spelled the end for many halls, especially in Velstraat. Cinema halls were converted into shops (Majestic), shopping centers (Century and Select), theater-variety halls (Capitole), or even burned down under suspicious circumstances (Leopold). Whatever remained specialized in alternative and avant-garde genres like Studio Skoop or in eroticism like ABC.
Save the Rex
Hidden behind the tall trees of Maria-Hendrika Square stands an abandoned building distinguished by its iconic retro façade, adorned with large windows and flanked by the skeleton of three immense red neon letters: R, E, and X. These are the remnants of one of the smaller cinemas Ghent once had.
The Cinema Rex building opened in 1933 and served as a cinema hall for years. Rex was popular among fans of shorter, low-budget B-movies and among train travelers due to its location near Gent-Sint-Pieters station. After closing in 1982, the building briefly became a casino but remained vacant and dilapidated for some time, even becoming a squatter's residence. The local action group 'Red de Rex' had long been advocating for the city to save the building, but it was not for sale. Fortunately, that has recently changed.
The old cinema will soon have a new lease on life thanks to the city. Sogent, the city's development company, purchased the old cinema in December 2023 for almost 1.2 million euros and designated it as heritage. The façade and the cinema hall are now protected, as is the interior, which boasts many authentic Art Deco elements. The ceiling of the hall featured a blue dome with small stars. The illusion of passing clouds was supported by "brenographs," projectors equipped with rotating discs with drawn clouds. The wall coverings consisted of plaster relief depictions of cityscapes. The Rex cinema had a ventilation system, offering a welcome relief compared to the often overheated and smoky halls of the past. The renovation costs are estimated at 1.7 million euros, partly recoverable through Flemish subsidies.
Rex is a unique building designed by the Ghent architect Geo Henderick. He also designed the Ciné Palace at Sint-Michielsbrug (later the Sphinx) and the iconic Director's House at Terneuzenlaan. He was also responsible for the renovation of the Coliseum at Kuyperskaai. In the 1950s, the Ghent architect Frans Merlé transformed the interior of the Rex hall into a sober and sleek style.
According to the city, the building has great potential, akin to the Wintercircus. The intention is to turn Rex into a new attraction in the city. There are several options. The city is considering housing the FilmFest Gent there. The festival is the largest in the country and aims to keep Ghent on the map as a film city. Furthermore, the city is also considering a 'House of Cinema', as a museum and educational center for Flanders, a concrete concept to provide a platform for cinephile activities within a professional and historical framework. Collaboration with other cultural institutions such as KASK, the Conservatory, MIAT, Film Plateau, and Art Cinema OFFoff is also on the table. Lastly, the new building must, of course, give a boost to the station area.
Yesterday the Wintercircus, today the Cinema Rex, and tomorrow a renewed Opera Ghent... Gentians are anything but cultural barbarians in these challenging times!
