Beautifully Designed Movie Theaters in Golden California

The Fox Theater I, Oakland
New York-based French photographer Franck Bohbot traveled to California to spotlight the most amazing movie theaters, big and small, as an homage to the history of film in his series titled Cinema. He captures the grandiose scale of some exquisitely designed theaters as well as the compact, intimate setting of a few indie film houses. In either case, there's something attractive about the architecture and inexplicably significant about the rooms in which strangers gather for a shared experience.

Bohbot's photo series is as much about the architecture of each venue as it is about the actual event of people entering these mini arenas, awaiting entertainment. The emptiness of the theaters allow the viewer to take in the symmetry and silence of each space, while admiring everything around the blank screen. Without a movie projecting in front of a crowd, one is able to appreciate the intricate details of each location and the draw of going to a movie theater for a viewing, rather than watching something on their computer or mobile device.


The Paramount Theatre I, Oakland, California


The Paramount Theatre II, Oakland, California


The Paramount Theatre Lobby I, Oakland, California


The Grand Lake Theatre II, Oakland, California


Egyptian Theater, American Cinematheque, Los Angele


Alameda Theater I, Alameda, California


The Grand Lake Theater I, Oakland


The Paramount, Lobby II, Oakland


Orinda Theatre, Lobby, Orinda


Orinda II, California


The Four Star Theatre II, San Francisco


The Crest Westwood I, Los Angeles


Brava Theatre, San Francisco


Orinda Theatre I, Orinda


The Castro Theatre, San Francisco


Alameda Theater, Lobby I, Alameda

Franck Bohbot website
Franck Bohbot on Behance

Pinar

Pinar Noorata is the Managing Editor at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College and is an alumni of the Center for Arts Education’s Career Development Program in NYC. She has worked at major TV, film, and publishing companies as well as other independent media businesses. When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching movies, reading, crafting, drawing, and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
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