Kim Joo -myung, a mother who was a guardina cinema operator. Reporter Kim Sang -jin

The Gardena Cinema is opening its doors for a weekend of free movie screenings, offering the community a chance to relive memories on the big screen. The event is spearheaded by Judy kim, along with John Kim and Go Kim Joo-myung, who inherited the cinema, which has been a local institution as 1976. They have partnered with Pluto TV to bring this special event to the community.

“There is a reason for the movie theater,” Kim explained. “The movie theater is a place where you can share emotions. It is only possible in the cinema to sit in the same space as strangers and laugh together in the same scene.” The screenings are designed to bridge generations and evoke shared emotions, offering more than just a typical movie experience.

Free Screenings: A Trip Down Memory Lane

The cinema will host three distinct screenings. On June 7th, attendees can enjoy the sing-along version of “Greece” at 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm. Later that evening, “saturday Night Fever,” starring John Travolta, will be shown at 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm. On June 8th, “Ghostbusters” will be screened at 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm.

“in the case of Greece, I chose to sing together and enjoy the festive atmosphere.”

Kim noted that “Greece” was selected to encourage audience participation and create a festive atmosphere. The screenings are made possible through the support of Pluto TV, which allowed the cinema to show films that would otherwise be too expensive to screen.

The choice of “Ghostbusters” for June 8th is also significant, as Kim explained that the date was chosen to coincide with “Ghostbusters’ Day,” commemorating the film’s production.

Preserving a Legacy

The free screening event is part of a larger project led by Sean Baker, an Academy Award-winning director, to protect independent cinemas. Gardena Cinema was selected as the project’s first participating theater.

Gardena Cinema has a rich history,with the Kim family’s personal touch evident in every corner. “When the theater facility broke down, the father repaired it directly,” Kim said, highlighting the family’s dedication to the cinema.

Originally built in 1946,Gardena Cinema has been a fixture in the community for nearly 80 years. To ensure its survival, Kim is working to raise $1.5 million to renovate the theater and have it designated as a historical building.

“There are memories in this theater, and many people who want to keep this place are voluntarily participating in the donation,” Kim stated, emphasizing the community’s support. Kim hopes to maintain the cinema as a meaningful space for the community.

Even during a large forest fire near Los Angeles in January, Gardena Cinema remained open, offering a free screening of a comedy film on January 10th to uplift residents. “A audience was depressed for a few days as of the house on a forest fire,” Kim recalled.

Gardena Cinema embodies the immigrant family’s journey and the shared experiences of the neighborhood. This weekend, the cinema will once again open its doors, inviting the community to create new memories together.