Latino Life also celebrates all independent cinemas and the thriving community life that buzzes around them. They have been a dying breed for too long, and we have lost many much-loved venues like the Academy Cinema from Oxford Street, (1906-1986), that was famous for its dramatic woodcut posters ( see below) and quality selection of movies. So the fact that the RIO CINEMA survives so well is definitely to be celebrated! Among other survivors we find the Electric Cinema (191 Portobello Road) that started out in 1911 and is still going, as well as the Renoir in Bloomsbury.
Rio Cinema’s Executive Director is Rosie Greatorex: -
“We're dedicated to bringing the magic of the movies to the people of Hackney - our mission is to bring a world-class film programme to our neighbourhood, our borough and beyond. We believe incredible cinema is for everyone!”
This amazing story all began in 1909 when pioneering Clara Ludski, an auctioneer, born to Prussian Jewish immigrants, converted her shop at 105 Kingsland High St into one of London’s first ever cinemas and named it the Kingsland Palace of Animated Pictures.
It became the Kingsland Empire in 1915, designed by George Coles, but it was in 1937 that it was expanded and refurbished into a spectacular Art Deco venue by architect F.E. Bromige, and he reopened it as the Classic Cinema. It was bombed damaged during the blitz in 1941, and during the 1959- to the 1970s it changed name various times from the Classic Cartoon Cinema, to an adult focussed Tatler Cinema Club in 1970. In 1976 it was finally taken over by an independent collective that renamed it THE RIO in 1976 and it was registered as a non-profit charity in 1979. (Is there such a thing as a for-profit charity?).
In 1997 the charity raised the money and the characteristic blue and pink Art Deco interior was restored and a couple of years later, it was awarded Grade II-listing. As a result, the ‘Rio’ has retained its sweeping curved, iconic interior and currently it has become a community focused, independent programming cinema and a safe place for all residents including LGBTQIA+, even at the lovely bar with its great atmosphere to meet friends for a drink. There are workshops for children and the cinema hosts various festivals and clubs.
Among other goodies, the Rio has accumulated a considerable treasure trove of documents over the years that include film posters back to the 1970s, cinema programmes, documents and press cuttings, all carefully stored in the attic. The archive also includes a spectacular collection of photography of Hackney in the 1980s.
Now, a plaque for Clara Ludski is being planned as part of the Hackney Society’s ‘Women of Hackney’ Project. Community leaders and creatives will be there for the unveiling, with celebratory refreshments afterwards. The cinema has chosen a selection of archival photography on the screen and various people will be there to launch the season, including Petra Roberts the Assistant Director for Culture & Heritage at Hackney Council.
The season RIO FOREVER will include films and events that represent the ethos of the cinema. These will include an evening to celebrate PRINCE (1958-2016) and the chance to watch PURPLE RAIN (1984) on the big screen. Other artists selected include Agnes Varda and Asif Kapadia (who will present THE GODFATHER: Part 2) and Sally Potter’s ‘ORLANDO’ with a Q&A with Sally Potter herself.
There will also be a mystery film to be presented in a full 35mm copy. All the details are on the Rio Cinema website. There will be plenty to enjoy as the season continues till the end of May 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS RIO!
