Metrograph is an independent two-screen movie theater located at 7 Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. As a theater, it focuses primarily on repertory cinema screenings as well as occasionally hosting new premieres and Q&A events.

Exterior of the Metrograph at night in 2022
Interior of Metrograph

History

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Metrograph was founded by Alexander Olch, a filmmaker and men's tie designer who previously owned a store and studio space elsewhere in Chinatown.[1] The building at 7 Ludlow Street is a large, two-story refurbished warehouse space with a concrete floor and brick walls.[2]

Metrograph first opened to the public on March 4, 2016, featuring a bar, concessions stand, and two theaters downstairs with another bar, restaurant, and curated film bookstore on its second floor.[3] At launch, the films screened at Metrograph were initially programmed by the film producers and writers Jacob Perlin and Aliza Ma.[4]

As part of the larger wave of business closures in New York City brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Metrograph ceased all of its in-person operations and closed the building down on March 15, 2020.[5] In response to this, on July 24, 2020, Metrograph launched their own online streaming service, available with a monthly membership subscription, initially called "Metrograph Digital",[6] later renamed to "Metrograph At Home". The service provides members with remote access to a curated selection of films that had previously screened in the theater as well as new releases.[7]

Metrograph publicly reopened its storefront more than a year later on October 1, 2021.[8] On March 15, 2023, Metrograph announced the appointment of Inge de Leeuw as its new director of programming, stating that she would bring "an eclectic, well-rounded, and interdisciplinary approach to Metrograph's programming".[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Talking Shop with the Man Behind the Metrograph". airmail.news. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  2. ^ "Metrograph Keeps New York Film Fans Guessing". Culture Trip. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Blum, Michael (March 1, 2016). "Coming Soon to Manhattan, the First Independent Movie Theater in a Decade". Hyperallergic. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  4. ^ "Metrograph Keeps New York Film Fans Guessing". Culture Trip. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "A Note To Our Guests | Metrograph". March 14, 2020. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Metrograph (July 21, 2020). "AnnouncingMetrograph Digital - Journal". Metrograph. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "Metrograph At Home". Metrograph. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  9. ^ Gerike, Ted (June 12, 2023). "Metrograph Appoints Inge de Leeuw as Director of Programming to Lead Curatorial Team - Journal". Metrograph. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
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Other art houses in Manhattan:

40°42′54.5″N 73°59′28″W / 40.715139°N 73.99111°W / 40.715139; -73.99111