Since the dawn of the millennium, 35mm film began to die out as theaters around the world made the switch to digital. Hyland Cinema still strives to keep actual film alive.
It’s lead projectionist Vicktor Liorentis says that film has a quality that can’t be replicated digitally. “The colors just aren’t right on digital the blacks aren’t black enough and it’s impossible for the colors to be as sharp since even at the highest resolution it’s still pixels.”
There seems to be a growing appreciation of this fact too, similar to the recent resurgence of vinyl records young people are starting to appreciate the quality of film.
Unfortunately, if you’re reading this I can’t show you a comparison with a picture as you’ll be viewing it on a pixelated screen, you’ll just have to go see for yourself.
Hyland also has a unique set of films that it plays compared to your local multiplex. All the big theaters show blockbusters and American films but if you want to see something a little more obscure or international Hyland makes a point of showing them.
Right now they are currently showing two movies that are nominated for best picture A Star is Born and The Green Book which many experts have tipped as the favorite to take home the top prize.
They also show retro movies that garner a large audience. Llorente said when he showed Pulp fiction five years ago maybe twenty people showed up but when he did it last year almost two-hundred showed up.
The theater has a charm that satisfies those who look at movie theaters of old with rose-tinted glasses as it’s still adorned in some of its original furnishings.
Liorentis also has a passion for film that is palpable and as he showed me all of the old 35mm film reels you can tell it’s something he’s truly passionate about. If you do make a trip down to Hyland if and get the chance to take a look behind the metaphorical curtain and see the projection process it really is something to marvel at.
