Shin-Yeong Cinematheque: Gangneung Independent Arts Theater

After years of serving as the local movie house, providing ordinary cinematic fare to the people of Gang-neung, the SHIN-YEONG CINEMATHEQUE eventually closed its doors, as the customers of all such theaters were drawn away by those gigantic centers of maudlin, anaesthetic alienation that have destroyed so much of this field. A few locals, however, were conscious of the loss and voluntarily assumed

responsibility for a restoration and much more, as they saw in the situation an opportunity to establish a new pocket of culture and magic. In May of 2012, the SHIN-YEONG CINEMATHEQUE was opened again, now officially known as the GANG-NEUNG INDEPENDENT ART THEATER and supported primarily by the state, as an institution whose operations were crucial to the vitality of this society, and by the generosity of concerned donors. Since that time, the theater has been bringing a great variety of cinematic art to Gang-neung, presenting for the benefit of this community the work of independent film-makers and other artists from around the world, much of which is rather obscure and otherwise might never reach us. We are a fortunate audience; let’s continue to enjoy and appreciate the extra-ordinary beauty provided for us here, in this fantastic station of creativity and critical activity.