Kinema Stroll, Vol. 7: "A movie theater that is close to the community: Atsugi's Eigakan kiki"

"Kinema Stroll" is a series introducing independent theaters in Kanagawa Prefecture. The seventh installment of the series features "Atsugi no Eigakan kiki," a community-based movie theater located in "Amu Atsugi," a five-minute walk from Hon-Atsugi Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line.

"Amu Atsugi," a complex combining shops for shopping and public facilities in Atsugi City, is a popular spot for Atsugi residents to relax. "Atsugi no Eigakan kiki" is located on the 9th floor, the top floor of "Amu Atsugi." As you ride the elevator, you'll see the week's screening schedule posted on the wall. Despite having only three screens, there were a whopping 15 films showing that day! Even those who hadn't planned on seeing a movie would be drawn in by the lineup, which included both popular films and nostalgic classics. Stepping out of the elevator on the 9th floor, you'll find yourself in a spacious area lined with movie posters. People of all ages were spending their time as they pleased, some admiring the posters, others waiting for their shows on sofas placed in front of the ticket counter.

According to manager Tsubasa Kaneki, the theater doesn't have a specific genre limit for its screenings. He says that because they show a wide variety of films, they attract customers of all ages, from young children to the elderly. "Art films tend to be popular with seniors, but we also show animated films for children, so I think that's why we have people of all ages here." The theater also offers child seats for rent.

"Atsugi no Eigakan kiki" screens approximately 380 films a year, which is quite a large number for a mini-theater. Amazingly, 80% of these films are selected based on requests from visitors. Just before the ticket counter, there's a corner where visitors submit requests, and the bulletin board is filled with requests for all kinds of films, from nostalgic classics to popular new releases.

This location originally housed a movie theater called Eiga.com Cinema, but it went bankrupt due to poor management. Subsequently, Atsugi City began searching for a successor, expressing its desire for a movie theater in the area, and in 2018, Eizo Kiki Systems Co., Ltd. began operating the theater. Eizo Kiki Systems Co., Ltd. primarily deals in video, audio, and lighting equipment, and Mr. Kaneko originally worked in their technical department, handling wholesale and repair of video equipment. However, since there were no initial members in the theater's operation, Mr. Kaneko spent several years supporting the theater's operations by going back and forth between the operating company and the theater. Around 2021, he fully transitioned to working at the theater, and in 2022, he was appointed as the manager.
Because the operating company is a company that handles video equipment, "Atsugi no Eigakan kiki" is equipped with top-of-the-line equipment. Particularly noteworthy are the speakers. The "Kyo-on" (amazing sound) screenings, which use one of the largest 21-inch speakers in Japan, are one of the highlights of this movie theater. "Emphasize the bass. The volume is not too loud. It's not painful to the ears, but the bass is strong enough to make you feel the vibrations in your body." When selecting films for the "Kyo-on" screenings, the manager himself listens to the sound of the film first. Only films that he judges to have "good sound" are selected for screening.

This movie theater is designed to meet the needs of local residents, ensuring that everyone can enjoy themselves without being left out. True to its motto of being a community-based movie theater, it collaborates with Atsugi City to hold screenings and lectures. Of course, its homey atmosphere also warmly embraces visitors from outside Atsugi City, making it a comfortable and welcoming theater.

Mr. Kaneko shared his thoughts on the movie theater: "Our theater shows a lot of movies, so there are probably many films that people haven't seen. However, there are also many interesting films that people haven't seen, so I hope that people will discover those films as well."

This is a bit of a digression, but just as the interview was ending, the digitally remastered version of "Billy Elliot," which I had wanted to see, was about to start, so I slipped into the theater at the last minute. I first saw this movie when I was a student. As part of a class, I watched it projected onto a whiteboard through small speakers. Now, more than 10 years later, seeing the same film in a movie theater, I felt nostalgic for the lines and scenes, but it was a completely different movie experience. Music plays an important role in this film, and the sound coming from the speakers placed next to the screen was both pleasant and powerful, making me feel as if my whole body was enveloped in sound. It may sound cliché, but I felt as if I had become a part of the movie myself. My heart was warmed as I watched Billy happily jumping around in front of me.

In modern times, it's easy to watch movies through streaming services, but there are experiences that can only be had in a movie theater. In this seventh installment, I was able to return to the origins of this series. It was thanks to the special encounter that the movie theater gave me that I was able to enjoy Billy's dance again from a new perspective after more than a decade.

Atsugi Movie Theater Kiki
Address: 9F, Amyu Atsugi, 2-12-15 Nakamachi, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Official page: Click here