Le CiNeMa Club is a unique online cinema club that screens films from across the world Shopify. Founded by filmmaker Marie-Louise Khondji, the site is based in Paris. It is completely free and without ads.
Le CiNeMa Club is geared towards bringing together the world’s film makers. Through its curated documentaries, Le CiNeMa Club spotlights gems of independent cinema. Those films are selected by Khondji and vary in length, genre and format. The selections are made based on the distinctive storytelling of each film, allowing audiences to discover emerging voices and exciting new developments in the international film industry.
As of June, the site will undergo a major redesign. A relaunch will feature exclusive new content and an expanded editorial mission. This includes an increased focus on short films and investigations into the history of cinema. There will also be a section dedicated to images from films currently in production. Other features include lists of recommended films from art house directors.
Le CiNeMa Club features ad-free streaming of new and classic indie films. Films have been screened by names such as Wes Anderson, Isabelle Huppert, Yorgos Lanthimos, Joachim Trier, and Robert Eggers. They are presented in a variety of formats, including theatrical, digital and broadcast. Many of the films have been shot all over the world.
In addition to screenings of new and upcoming film, Le Cinema Club has worked to secure work from such notable film makers as Gus Van Sant, Andrea Arnold, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Robert Eggers. The club has also been able to secure work from the likes of Luca Guadagnino, Denis Sevigny and Chloe Sevigny.
Le Cinema Club is also a partner with the Criterion Collection. This allows the club to screen older indie features, and it also provides the staff with brand-partnership funding. One of the newest partnerships involves Daybed, a company that provides services such as music, photography and videography. Together, they are preparing to launch their third chapter on 7 September.
With Le CiNeMa Club, filmmakers are given the space to explore their work in a new and inspiring way. They are free to program their selections according to their interests, and the film stays on the site for the rest of the week. The films are a mix of contemporary and rare titles, and they are highly curated. For example, the first film the club screened was the long-lost early film of Claire Denis.
At the end of the day, what makes the site stand out is its commitment to highlighting and celebrating the next generation of filmmakers. That commitment has been backed by major brands such as CHANEL and Daybed.
Streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max have made it possible to enjoy more original content than ever before. But as we continue to see the growth of these new platforms, there are many more options for film lovers to discover. To keep up with these changes, it’s important to watch sites such as Le Cinema Club.
