All in the Cinefamily

Cinephiles in a city like Los Angeles are a dime a dozen. Which is precisely why a new venture called The Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax Avenue is destined for success. The tale of its opening alone reads like an indie screenplay: Cult video store co-founder Hadrian Belove dreams of curating a program of rarely-seen works at a movie theater in the film capital. One night at a local cinema, Belove befriends Sammy Harkham, aka co-owner of local artsy bookstore Family, situated smack-dab amid Jewish delis and streetwear emporiums on Fairfax Avenue. Synchronicity then plays its part, as Sammy Harkham's brother, Dan, incidentally works as a real-estate developer and co-owns (with Sammy) an old-school '40s theater down the street. Discussions take place and days later the trio strikes a deal. They close the 158-seat cinema for six weeks to renovate it and reopen with a horror festival on Halloween. Who said dreams don't come true?

So far the theater's programming has read like a die-hard movie fan's wet dream, with an assortment of titles being screened that range from Chinese comedy to cult film noir, as well as telemovies by acclaimed director Michael Haneke. "Cinefamily isn't just about hardcore film buffs," says Belove, who serves as head programmer. "We're more about targeting the educated New Yorker crowd," he insists, "those who want to see highly recommended, interesting bodies of work." And the all-out cinematic experience doesn't stop there: Added extras include live performances from an original silent-film organist, 96-year-old Bob Mitchell, as well as bathroom breaks.