But actually, the correct way to say it is Black Maria(h), like the singer Mariah Carey.
Back in 1893, Thomas Edison built the first production studio in West Orange, New Jersey. Black Maria Cinema was named as such to pay tribute to the abovementioned place widely known as America's First Movie Studio.
This establishment bears a long history as well. It was formerly known as the SQ Film Laboratories, the last production studio in Asia to take its last bow after having processed countless film negatives for 40 years. Angelo Santos who used to manage it currently oversees the cinema as well, together with his wife Sarah and his sister Pat. The Santos-Quilatan (SQ) clan has two other related businesses, Santiago's Cafe, a homey restaurant alongside the movie theater building, which will soon branch out in selling pasta, tomato sauce, and other food items. Black Maria Print Shop, which churns out calling cards, tarpaulins, posters, and other similar advertising materials, are located inside the theater.
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| Photo credit: Respeto Facebook page |
This new player among local microcinemas boasts of a digital projection with 2K resolution and a 20-foot silver-white screen. The 30-seater theater located at 779 San Rafael Street, SQ Film Laboratories Building, Plain view, Mandaluyong, will reopen sometime in January. The facility will be upgraded to accommodate even more audience members and improve functionality. Thus, the films scheduled for December 2017 will be moved to January 2018.
However, the digital film laboratory which handles film post-production, commercials, music videos, and trailers, and other associated businesses will continue on as usual.
Among the films they have screened are the Cinema One Originals 2017 Entries, Respeto, Maestra, Broken Hallelujah, Smaller and Smaller Circles, Ang Larawan, Loving Vincent, and Satan's Slaves.
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| Photo credit: Jude Cartalaba |
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