The staff were incredible rude, all of them. Well specially the girl in the coffee area!!! She was awful, people in the cue were amazed as we were. This was followed very close by the ticket girls. It was bizarre, like going back to school, a very STRICT one. I can believe that they are part of the BFI London Film Festival! I'd never felt this tense in any cinema before in my life.
JR Suarez
Nice cinema part of the Insitute Française in the heart of South Kensington. They have a great film programme including foreign films. They also organise regular Foreign Film Festivals like the Spanish one. At the moment the cafe is closed for renovation. They greet you in French what I think is quite nice, however some staff needs better customer service skills, as an example they ask you to go away for 5 minutes when they are changing shifts, what I found a bit surreal. On the other hand you can enjoy even more a good film as they don’t allow food or drinks inside the cinema. Also the distance between the rows is quite big, so it feels very comfortable. Standard ticket is £12 and £10 for concessions. Online booking charges an extra £1.5
Maria Matzeu
Great small cinema really close to the South Kensington underground station in London. We have attended twice so far, both times to watch Sardinian films during the "Cinema Made in Italy" week. It's lovely to watch films in their original language, with the English subtitles.
Steena1 year ago
French Film Festival 2022 "Maigret" with Q&A with Director Patrice Leconte
Throughly enjoyed the film! Patrice, even unwell, was impressive and eloquent. I really hope he keeps making film beyond the next "round number" (40)!
The theatre is comfortable, however the seats are not placed on quite enough of an incline for everyone to adequately see the full screen. The lovely lady sitting next to me struggled to see all of the film, including the subtitles.
Otherwise a lovely visit with friendly and welcoming staff on reception and at the theatre door.
Cafe Tangerine is located on the Ground Floor and open Tue - Sun, until 21.00 all days except Sun, when it opens until 18.30
A lift is available from the Ground Floor/Reception to the First Floor for Ciné Lumière. However it is not currently functioning down to the Lower GF for Ciné Lumière II. Perhaps call to confirm if you require step free access.
Thrilled to see the promotion of the Korean Film Festival too!
Bert Provan1 year ago
Good place for French and other movies in the French institute with cafe/ bar, library and other meetings and facilities in the heart of South Kensington with French shops including book shops in surrounding area
TM2 years ago
Love the art deco of this theatre and it has a real calming presence and a relaxed mood setting when entering the building. Staff was super friendly and very polite. The theatre has such an authentic french atmosphere quality about it that gives this transported feel of escapism from London wich I found to be quite liberating. The chairs was comfy and the screening and sound design of the room, made for a truly great viewing experience. A wonderful cinema for seeing movies that matter.
Geoff Michel2 years ago
Part of the Institut français specialist in French and other foreign language films. Comfortable seating, café with French cakes etc. Bar.
Joydeep Pal2 years ago
Amazing theatre. A beautifully maintained institute. We went to watch a movie as part of the London Indian Film Festival. The experience was really great and would love to go back as soon the option arises.
The staff were incredible rude, all of them. Well specially the girl in the coffee area!!! She was awful, people in the cue were amazed as we were. This was followed very close by the ticket girls. It was bizarre, like going back to school, a very STRICT one. I can believe that they are part of the BFI London Film Festival! I'd never felt this tense in any cinema before in my life.
Throughly enjoyed the film! Patrice, even unwell, was impressive and eloquent. I really hope he keeps making film beyond the next "round number" (40)!
The theatre is comfortable, however the seats are not placed on quite enough of an incline for everyone to adequately see the full screen. The lovely lady sitting next to me struggled to see all of the film, including the subtitles.
Otherwise a lovely visit with friendly and welcoming staff on reception and at the theatre door.
Cafe Tangerine is located on the Ground Floor and open Tue - Sun, until 21.00 all days except Sun, when it opens until 18.30
A lift is available from the Ground Floor/Reception to the First Floor for Ciné Lumière. However it is not currently functioning down to the Lower GF for Ciné Lumière II. Perhaps call to confirm if you require step free access.
Thrilled to see the promotion of the Korean Film Festival too!