In Photos

By Mesindano Shaanika | Photoreporter

The hearts of many within the Roman cinema community were filled with joy and relief with the reopening of Cinema Troisi, on September 21, 2021. 

The grand reopening of the state-of-the-art cinema followed a 10-year process of negotiations, protests, and efforts by a young group of students, led by their passion for cinema, as part of what is known as the ‘Piccolo America project’.  

The success of the Piccolo America project is seen in the sentiments of the youth that frequent the cinema today. 

To 3^rd year DAMS student and cinephile, Emma Camplone, Cinema Troisi represents more than just the art of film.  

“Cinema is everything to me, and Cinema Troisi is my home. It saved my life. This is a place where I can come for comfort, or when I feel sad, or if I’ve just had an argument. Cinema Troisi really saved my life, and it’s my home.” 

Cinema Troisi was initially inaugurated in 1937 and quickly became a popular theater in the 1950s under the name ‘Cinema Induno’, mainly hosting children’s shows. Fast forward to the 1990s, multiple management changes (from the Cecchi Gori group to a subsidiary of the Ferrero Group) led to the theater officially closing in 2013.  

The journey to the reopening, however, began with the young students’ labors over another cinema, called Cinema America. The Cinema America building was bought by Progetto Uno srl in the mid 2000s – and in 2012, they announced their plans to turn the building into luxury apartments and underground parking, after a period of abandonment.

With a burning desire to change the culture, the young group perceived the Progetto Uno plan as a major backward step. So, the young group began to occupy the abandoned cinema building, in an attempt to prevent its demolition – which they ultimately succeeded in doing. Moreover, they advanced their plans to renovate the old cinema building independently, in line with their aims of transforming the city culture in Rome. 

After successfully renovating Cinema America in 2012 (reviving cinema culture in the area), the group were suddenly evicted from the building just two years after. Nevertheless, they continued with their efforts to create free-spirited gathering spaces around the city – and, recognizing the need for sufficient legal standing for their labors, they officially launched the Piccolo America Association, through which they continued to push for their goals. 

In 2015, the now formally recognized Piccolo America group then turned their attention to Cinema Troisi. 

After a lengthy process of legal work, Piccolo America won management rights to the cinema and raised funds for the renovation of the historic Troisi theater, which began in 2018. The state-of-the-art cinema was finally completed in 2021, holding a capacity of around 300 people, and features a study room and library, a terrace, and a bar and foyer area. The total project cost was 1.5 million euros. 

Surely, with the rise of streaming services, cinema and theater seem to be losing their grip on mainstream culture. However, the reopening of the cinema in such a fashion alerts us to the presence of a remnant, who has decided to stick to the foundational art amid a fast-changing culture.  

Director and screenwriter, Pasquale Coletti, shares a similar view: 

“Streaming is okay – as an alternative, and to pass time – but cinema will always be the best. Cinema is the very art, and we are blessed to have the resources to engage in major productions. Just recently, both Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola were here for their film premieres. It speaks to the power of cinema still today. Streaming is fine, but it will never be cinema.” 

Pasquale also works an all-round job at Cinema Troisi, working the film projector, ticket sales, and at the bar. 

On the other hand, there are others who simply enjoy the luxury of studying at the historic cinema. Matteo Vidale, 2^nd year student at La Sapienza, notes: 

“I’m not really passionate about cinema, but I enjoy coming to study here because it is an open space where you can grab a coffee at the bar and study in peace. You also get the opportunity to meet a lot of people, and the place is open 24 hours a day, which gives you great flexibility for studying hours.” 

More than a movie theater, the cinema is a place where creatives can connect and embrace art together. More than that, it has also presented a comfortable environment for non-creatives to connect, forming lasting relationships. Therefore, the Piccolo America crew can enjoy a mission accomplished over the establishment of Cinema Troisi. 

Located on Via Girulamo Induno, 1, Cinema Troisi is a brightly glowing sign of the fervent artistic community culture present in Trastevere, the heart of Rome.  

With its dynamic design, its vibrant energy, and its tiny peculiarities, Cinema Troisi is surely one of the most unique modern cinemas there is to see.  

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