You’d be forgiven for thinking there were restricted options for film lovers in Bogota. The ubiquitous, looming double C’s of Cine Colombia and the draw of the latest Hollywood blockbuster can leave you seeking all your cinematic delights in the confines of a mall. Overpriced popcorn, limited selection and a frankly ordinary experience await you. Every time.
It’s good to know, then, that tucked away on the corner of the cobbled streets of Usaquen is Cine Paraiso. Unique not only in its setting, but also in its variety of film selections, its bar, its food and its welcoming, unique atmosphere.
Stepping into Cine Paraiso is like stepping into an imagined past; the kind of cinema you guess was once populated by the cinephiles of Paris or New York. A place where intellectuals and critics would congregate after each showing to discuss the film in minute, painstaking and, let’s face it, pretty pretentious detail.
Admittedly, there’s not much of that going on, but there are very un-pretentious, comfortable red seats.
The films on show at Cine Paraiso are of the distinctively independent variety. Usually drawn from the rich pool of modern European and Latin American cinema, it’s hard to go wrong when selecting a film providing you’re the type of person who enjoys a good turtle neck and a decent set of subtitles. On top of all this there’s a bar at the front of the cinema, which means you can have yourself a nice chilled beer as you sit back and enjoy the show in candlelight. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it?
Without question, Cine Paraiso offers the most complete and memorable cinema-going experience in the city – and they’re waiting for you.
Cine Paraiso – Calle 120 Nº 5 – 69
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