A New Chapter for an Iconic Vancouver Cinema
The Park Theatre on South Cambie to be taken over by the Rio.
It seems like everywhere you look, independent cinemas are closing. A report from this year showed that almost 60 per cent of Canadian independent screens were in financial difficulty, and across the globe indie screens such as London’s Prince Charles Cinema are struggling to the point that it seems the only option is the megaplex. That makes the news that Vancouver’s Park Theatre, on Cambie Street, is being taken over by the stalwart indie cinema Rio Theatre all the more welcome.
The Park, which originally opened in 1941 and was operated by Cineplex since 2013, will be taken over by the Rio in a move, spearheaded by Rio CEO Corinne Lea, which was announced after Cineplex shuttered the Park on October 26. After initially connecting with Vancouver-based film producer Chris Ferguson, who in turn took the opportunity to his wider Hollywood network, the Rio will partner with a long list of film industry investors keen to see the venue stay open and independent.
“Film is so central to the essence of Vancouver. I’m thrilled, not only that we were able to save this historic theatre that I went to as a child, but that it was a group of some of our most significant filmmakers who came together to do it,” says Ferguson, who was born in Vancouver.
Among those in the investment group are the Academy Award-winning producer of Anora and fellow Vancouverite Samantha Quan, along with her husband, Sean Baker, that film’s writer/director. Joining them are Mike Flanagan, known for his horror work including Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, as well as Osgood Perkins and actor Finn Wolfhard.
“The Rio Theatre is very excited by the opportunity to revive Vancouver’s historic, art deco Park Theatre in the beloved Cambie Village neighbourhood,” Lea says. “We are grateful for the support of this impressive group of film industry professionals and could not do this without them. After almost two decades of rocking the Rio, we look forward to this expansion, and bringing the same fun, energy, and passion to a new location.”
