There are a lot of reasons why The Ritzy Brixton is one on the best cinemas in London. First of all there’s the actual building itself. Having first opened its doors as a movie house in 1911 it’s everything you’d want a cinema to be, a world away from the sterile atmosphere of Soho screening rooms and homogenised multiplexes. It has character and it has history.
Then of course there’s the incredibly eclectic and open-minded roster of films continuously being screened, reflecting all areas of the cinematic spectrum and catering for audiences of all sizes. Not to mention the Q&A events, the late night screenings, and the regular festivals.
But there’s another valid and important reason why it’s one of my favourite venues to watch a film, the people that work there. In my experience the staff at The Ritzy always come across as being friendly, welcoming, helpful, good humoured and incredibly insightful when it comes to film, qualities, which I’m sad to say, are becoming a rarity in regards to simply going to watch a movie. I’ve always got the impression that these aren’t just people working in a cinema, these are people who love cinema.
Recently The Ritzy staff went on strike to campaign against their ridiculously low wages and for all staff to earn at least the London Living Wage. Today they will strike again and I urge you to support them in anyway that you can. Personally I wish them all the luck in the world. They have my utmost respect and admiration for rising above modern complacency, standing up against exploitative corporations, and generally fighting the good fight. And you don’t get anymore cinematic than that.
