I love going to cinemas when I am travelling. It’s not only that cinemas warm you up when it’s cold outside and cool you down when it’s way too hot. I also like to spot out the tiny little differences in the cinema culture in different parts of the world.

Just to make that clear: I am not talking about the uniform multiplex cinemas you’ll find in shopping centers around the world. I mean places like Ciné Rex: the interior is stylish, the films are carefully selected, the audience is attentive and the presentation (like in all cinemas in the city center) is in the original language, with German and French subtitles. The crowd can be kind of snobbish though.

Since the place is funded by the city government and curated by the local arts museum, it has become a hotspot for the cities established artists, journalists and critics alike. In my opinion, this makes the place only more interesting though. Even if I don’t plan to see a movie, I often come to the stylish retro chic bar just to have a drink, talk about movies and watch the Bernese cultural scene preparing for the latest arthouse flick.