Over the course of four years, Carolina Sandretto documented the architectural opulence of Cuba's movie theaters.
Cine Yara, formerly Teatro Warner Radiocentro, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Over the course of four years, Carolina Sandretto documented the architectural opulence of Cuba's movie theaters.
During the 1950s, Cuba's growing economic prosperity gave rise to a number of beautiful movie theaters.
Cine San Felipe, San Felipe, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
During the 1950s, Cuba's growing economic prosperity gave rise to a number of beautiful movie theaters.
Many of the cinemas were built using funds from major American companies, like 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Cine El Mégano, formerly Cine Capri, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Many of the cinemas were built using funds from major American companies, like 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Before the Cuban Revolution there were about 511 cinemas across the country. At the time, Havana had more movie theaters than Paris or New York.
Cine Teatro Karl Marx, formerly Blanquita, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Before the Cuban Revolution there were about 511 cinemas across the country. At the time, Havana had more movie theaters than Paris or New York.
After the revolution, the number of movie theaters in the country rose to 600.
Cine Nieves, Majagua, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
After the revolution, the number of movie theaters in the country rose to 600.
The glamor of these architectural gems has faded over the passing decades.
Cine Lido, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
The glamor of these architectural gems has faded over the passing decades.
Only 19 cinemas remain active in the whole country.
Cine Record, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Only 19 cinemas remain active in the whole country.
Many of the cinema buildings are now used for other functions, like hosting dance events.
Cine Yumurí, formerly Becil, Los Arabos, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Many of the cinema buildings are now used for other functions, like hosting dance events.
The financial burden of running the cinemas led many of them to close down.
Cine Caribe, formerly Cine Biltmore, Playa Jaimanitas, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
The financial burden of running the cinemas led many of them to close down.
Sandretto managed to photograph more than 300 cinemas during her trips.
Cine Apolo, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Sandretto managed to photograph more than 300 cinemas during her trips.
"It was difficult to determine how many cinemas there were, and to identify their locations on the island. There was no information about any of the cinemas online, and Google is not available in Cuba," wrote Sandretto.
Cine Turquino, Cobre, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
"It was difficult to determine how many cinemas there were, and to identify their locations on the island. There was no information about any of the cinemas online, and Google is not available in Cuba," wrote Sandretto.
Sandretto had to source her information the "old-fashioned way," she wrote.
Cine Riviera, Havana, photographed by Carolina Sandretto —
Sandretto had to source her information the "old-fashioned way," she wrote.