La Pagode Cinema

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La Pagode Cinema, Paris
La Pagode Cinema, Paris

The prestige of French film still thrills the heart; a fact clearly represented in the latest AnOther Loves winner, the stunning La Pagode cinema in Paris

Home to history’s first filmmakers – the Lumière brothers – France is the undisputed birthplace of cinema, spawning Bardot and Delon, Truffaut and his Jules et Jim, the Novelle Vague and the only half-mythical wild-haired, Gauloise-wielding director in Breton stripes and expressive beret. It is an intoxicating world of glamour and nostalgia, and while the profits and clout may have scarpered across the channel to Hollywood, the prestige of French film still thrills the heart; a fact clearly represented in the latest AnOther Loves winner, the stunning La Pagode cinema in Paris, loved by the AnOther Production Assistant Olena Slyesarenko.

"Bardot and Delon, Truffaut and his Jules et Jim, the Novelle Vague and the only half-mythical wild-haired, Gauloise-wielding director in Breton stripes and expressive beret"

In true Gallic tradition, La Pagode has a romantic heritage. In 1895, the manager of French department store Bon Marché decided he wanted to give his wife something a bit different for her birthday – so he called in a team of architects and her birthday surprise was a full-scale replica of a Japanese pagoda in the heart of residential Paris. Sadly the romance was not to last as the couple were divorced soon after, and the structure languished for decades before being transformed into a 400-seater cinema in 1930. Since then it has been in and out of service, at times falling into disrepair and being closed for years on end. But now it is a flourishing and very beautiful cinema showing films by arthouse directors, providing an entirely unique experience that is true to the exquisite, unconventional spirit of French cinema and Paris itself.

Here we speak to Slyesarenko about her own film obsessions, a longing for silk dresses and decadent cinema snacks.

Why did you choose to Love this cinema?
It is a work of art in its own right. It makes me think of the days when cinematography was a work of art too.

What would you wear to go there, and what would you see?
To stick with the Parisian chic theme I would have to go for either this Hermès suit or this Lanvin silk dress...

What would you eat and drink as your film snacks?
Vodka martinis and oysters... it has to be decadent to do justice to the interior!

Who would you go with?
An astronaut. In a tuxedo... not a spacesuit.

What is your favourite film?
In light of my recent obsession with space it would have to be In The Shadow Of The Moon, a very inspiring and frightening realisation of how different and beautiful some people's life experiences can be. 

Who is your screen idol?
A summer-inspired choice – Romy Schneider in La Piscine (1969).

What are you looking forward to about June?
More and more sunshine, wearing silk dresses, a trip to Paris.

What is the last thing you bought?
Bubble tea. I'm obsessed with the rose milk flavour.