Cinema Lalibela

A prototypic, portable, and deployable structure accompanied a group of twelve students from the Architectural Association in London to Lalibela in Northern Ethiopia. The structure was transported by the group along with all the equipment for a self-sufficient cinema, which enabled the running of a five-night film festival during the visit.

While the excitement of the audience of children beguiled by this strange object and intrigued by the images that flickered on the screen under the stars was reward enough, there was a wider significance to this effort. A tool for engaging with the community at all levels, the cinema enabled the group to obtain rare insights into this unknown place, resulting in a number of proposals which together form a masterplan for Lalibela.

A new approach to the complex wider issues of development and long-term aid dependence, these projects are influenced by first-hand experience, the detachment of outsiders and the freedom of students.

(Diploma Unit 7
19 November - 22 December 2008)

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• students
• bring
• film
• festival
• to
• Lalibela

[abiyz04]

its nice project. But why in lalibela? Is there a particular reason, it seems to me Lalibela have had organic architectural form since the 11th centurey...

[isantaolalla]

What a fantastic, worthwhile project!

And it's great to hear that there is going to be continuity, with a permanent outdoor cinema. Congratulations to the whole team!

Isabel