Buenos Aires film clubs offer an antidote to the algorithm

In Buenos Aires, cinephiles are rediscovering the joy of attending film screenings together, without the help of algorithms that dictate what they should watch. As the popularity of multiplex theaters has led to a decrease in community-driven film experiences, amateur film clubs have started to emerge in various unconventional locations, such as bars, cultural centers, and even offices.

Paula Félix-Didier, a programmer at MADO and a top film preservation expert, explains that film clubs serve a crucial purpose beyond attracting cinephiles. They foster a sense of community. Andrés Firu Fichendler, who co-founded the Florida film club in 2023, echoes this sentiment. He moved to Mexico City without any friends and discovered the La Cueva film club, which led him to make new connections.

In Buenos Aires, Fichendler partnered with cinematographer Lucio Castelnuovo to create Florida Filmclub, a small, semi-clandestine cinema that screens free films daily. It is now a popular spot, attracting not only film enthusiasts but also couples, families, and even people who have found new jobs through their shared love for cinema.

Florida Filmclub's programming is diverse and unconventional, with surprise screenings and films that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. The club's programming is carefully selected to cater to a wide range of tastes, from auteur cinema to classic films and oddball gems. Amorina Filmclub, another popular Buenos Aires film club, also emphasizes diverse programming and social gatherings, often blending independent cinema with late-night partying.

The history of film clubs in Buenos Aires dates back to the late 1920s, with the Buenos Aires Film Club founded by director León Klimovsky within the influential art association Amigos del Arte. These clubs have always aimed to make films accessible and to promote amateur films. The trend has remained strong over the years, with film clubs continuing to play a vital role in preserving and sharing cinematic heritage.

The film club scene in Buenos Aires is deeply connected to the origins of film festivals and cinematheques, with institutions like the Argentine Cinematheque Foundation continuing to nurture the love for cinema.

Notable film clubs in the city include Gente de Cine, established in the 1940s, which played a significant role in shaping Argentina's film culture and led to the emergence of the 1960s Generation of filmmakers. Salvador Sammaritano, a member of Gente de Cine, co-founded Núcleo Film Club in 1952, which continues to operate under his son Alejandro's leadership.

Núcleo was not only a hub for film enthusiasts but also provided refuge during the military dictatorship, as the government's official censor allowed Sammaritano to screen cut films in their original versions. Film historian Fernando Martín Peña, a curator at MALBA, runs a weekly film club called Peña sin Cadenas, which screens diverse films for an engaged and social-media-driven audience.