The Lexi Cinema

The Lexi Cinema is an independent local cinema, run as a social enterprise. The building used to be a derelict pool hall before becoming a cinema. As they tell it on their website “On December 7th 2006, a freak tornado struck Kensal Rise, destroying property and devastating trees and buildings. But in its wake our local community pulled together, forging new bonds of support and togetherness. From these bonds, the Lexi Cinema was born. “

The cinema’s birth came out of love. In turn, they share the love…Its founder Sally Wilton had an existing relationship with a unique ecological project: the Sustainability Institute near Lynedoch in South Africa. This continues and the cinema gives 100% of its profits to charity, providing vital support to the pioneering The Sustainability Institute, it is a sustainable living and learning centre based in rural Stellenbosch, South Africa.

If you have not visited the cinema yet, you are missing out. When you arrive there is an intimate, warm atmosphere. Offering a great range of movies, brand new and classic. Last year it also supported local artists, displaying their work in their gallery and if that’s not enough they expanded their work with Brent artist to create film posters showcasing across the Kensal Rise area on billboards and bus stops. (Please see the top of the page)  Moonlight by Lucy Scholes, Lady Bird by Sarah Teare and Blade Runner by Cody Burridge .

Inside the cinema there are two screens with comfortable seats and lots of legroom, both with their own bars. Fancy refreshments? You’ll be spoiled. There’s a huge choice of beverages and hungry? well..from savory to sweet… it’s all totally yummy.

It doesn’t stop there. They have weekly Baby-Friendly screenings. A new monthly addition  of Talking Pictures, a relaxed film discussion group for over 60s. Also, it’s available to hire for private parties, screenings and even weddings! I mean, wow!

How does The Lexi make all these wonderful things possible? It’s all down to the hard work of the volunteers, locals who donate their time to support and run the cinema.

We thought it would be nice to meet some of them, have a chat , get to know some of them a little…..

Meet …..Lionelle Galloppa

What’s your most memorable experience / thing / thought / memory of The Lexi Cinema?

All of my time volunteering there and interacting with customers before/after they’ve watched a film and debating the good/bad ones!

Not including The Lexi, what’s your favourite experience / thing / thought / memory of your local area (Kensal Rise / Queens Park / Willesden / Kilburn or wherever you may live if further away!)

Queen’s Park Farmers market on a Sunday morning

If you had to name ONE film, call it your favourite, the one you’ve watched the most, the one you love the most, what would it be?

Save the Last Dance

Meet ….Antoinette Niles

What’s your most memorable experience / thing / thought / memory of The Lexi Cinema?

My first visit in 2012, to see a Bob Marley documentary. The staff was so welcoming and the vibes were so nice.

Not including The Lexi, what’s your favourite experience / thing / thought / memory of your local area (Kensal Rise / Queens Park / Willesden / Kilburn or wherever you may live if further away!)

I went paddling in the paddling pool in Queens Park when I was a kid. Then taking my sons, then my granddaughters to do the same thing.

If you had to name ONE film, call it your favourite, the one you’ve watched the most, the one you love the most, what would it be?

Jasón and the Argonauts (don’t judge!)

Meet….Mary Zinovieff

What’s your most memorable experience / thing / thought / memory of The Lexi Cinema?

The many times I’ve watched films with my granddaughter at the Lexi.

Not including The Lexi, what’s your favourite experience / thing / thought / memory of your local area (Kensal Rise / Queens Park / Willesden / Kilburn or wherever you may live if further away!)

Enjoying a coffee outside L’Angolo on a summer’s day.

If you had to name ONE film, call it your favourite, the one you’ve watched the most, the one you love the most, what would it be?

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Meet….Candy Brown

What’s your most memorable experience / thing / thought / memory of The Lexi Cinema?

Taking my Mother to watch the Sparks documentary -absolute joy, whenever it was I first discovered that the walkway doubles as an art gallery, and looking up at the glass baubles every time I’m settling in for a film in Screen one.

Not including The Lexi, what’s your favourite experience / thing / thought / memory of your local area (Kensal Rise / Queens Park / Willesden / Kilburn or wherever you may live if further away!)

Love being near the canal.

If you had to name ONE film, call it your favourite, the one you’ve watched the most, the one you love the most, what would it be?

Officially its Velvet Goldmine but anything by Yorgos Lanthimos or Paul Thomas Anderson are very welcome at the party.

“When Candy isn’t volunteering at the Lexi, she also works for a small local business called Village Leathers (@villageleathers / villageleathers.com) small local business hand crafting sustainable leather accessories, operating out of a workshop in Harlesden. She goes by Kay, as there was already a Candy when she started  .. in a workshop of 3!”

Lastly meet….Deepa Nair 

What’s your most memorable experience / thing / thought / memory of The Lexi Cinema?

Seeing the cinema all lit up with the words “I am a cinema, love me” from the car years back!

Not including The Lexi, what’s your favourite experience / thing / thought / memory of your local area (Kensal Rise / Queens Park / Willesden / Kilburn or wherever you may live if further away!)

Mapesbury Dell

If you had to name ONE film, call it your favourite, the one you’ve watched the most, the one you love the most, what would it be?

Little Miss Sunshine.

As Deepa said, written on the front wall of The Lexi Cinema  in big block capital letters it says ‘love me’. I think we’d all agree, we do!

Contact details Address: 194b Chamberlayne Rd, London NW10 3JUtel : 020 3011 5523

https://thelexicinema.co.uk

instagram – @thelexicinema

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