Angola Cinemas

For anyone interested in the evolution of African ‘Tropical Modern’ architecture, this beautifully photographed – by Luanda-born journalist, photographer and filmmaker Walter Fernandes – and very well-designed book will be a treasure trove of interest and inspiration. With explanatory text in both English and Portuguese, it features images of almost 60 remarkable cinema buildings, built across the country of Angola between the 1930s and the 1970s. Visually entrancing, the book will also introduce many of its readers to a unique and delightful form of cinema building: the ‘cine-esplanada’, a partially or completely open-air movie theatre that was created here in response to the unique climactic and social conditions of their time and place. A film festival that took place in one of these structures, such as Cine Kalunga or Cine Impala, would most certainly be a memorably fabulous event. Architectural heritage aficionados – and those who just love going to the movies – will definitely want a copy of this wonderful book on their coffee tables.