Kino Konepaja dreams of cinema

“They used to fix trains here.”

I’m in the lobby of Kino Konepaja, the new cinema celebrating its opening week in Vallila.

Its location is just a few blocks from Linnanmäki, and a tram ride from Pasila. From Kallio, it’s a short walk during the summer, and the idea is to provide a place that serves the local community on top of film fans from around the capital region.

The theater rests in a tall stone building with equally imposing glass doors that lead to a courtyard full of construction equipment. Peppered among them are a few deck chairs and tables. The beginnings of what one day will be a bustling thoroughfare. Right now, it’s still in progress. Still, you can see why it drew the attention of Jussi Myllyniemi and Jojo Uimonen, who own and operate the theater respectively. If there’s one thing film enthusiasts are good at, it’s seeing the big picture.

“It took quite a lot of work to get this ready,” Myllyniemi continues. “We had all kinds of things to look out for. It’s a historic building. We couldn’t remove pillars or structural elements. So we built around it.”

Soon, director Aki Kaurismäki will open his bar and venue next door. Across the yard, Super Bario, a gaming-centric bar, is already in operation.

From New York to Helsinki

The result is a unique space fit for the concept. Not a bar; not quite a modern cinema. Instead, it’s a bit of both.

“We took inspiration from New York, from those old Brooklyn spaces we love,” Uimonen says. On the walls are film posters — both new and old — in large print format. The space above the bar is lovingly constructed in the style of old marquees. It immediately sets the tone for the place.

“There’s nothing digital in the advertising. That’s intentional,” Uimonen says. “We wanted this to feel like an old-school theater.”

For someone like me, who grew up with hyperlocal movie theaters before everything went digital, the rush of nostalgia is tangible. It is an inviting space; one that makes me want to kick back and have a drink after the movie. That, too, is intentional.

“We don’t want to usher everyone out the second the movie ends,” Myllyniemi says. “It’s important that they can get a drink and talk about what they just saw. That whole communal experience is vital to us.”

Double duty

By day, Kino Konepaja serves as a color correction space for feature films. During the weekdays, it transforms into a public space after 4 PM and goes on until midnight. Weekends are dedicated to screenings, with mornings especially aimed at children.

The film selection is a mix of blockbusters and art house cinema, but Uimonen says the plan is to cater to a wide array of film fans.

“We already work with The Helsinki International Film Festival this year. They’re hosting some screenings here, and we’re open to continuing that with other festivals,” Uimonen continues.

Revival screenings are on the table as well, Uimonen promises. It’s a welcome prospect, as Kino Konepaja’s intimate atmosphere lends itself beautifully to these community experiences. I can already imagine the atmosphere of a cult classic screening, where a packed house of fans collects in a shared space like we used to.

An intimate experience

Inside the theater, that intimacy grows even deeper. There are no singular seats here. Instead, it’s a collection of plush sofas, throw pillows, and ample legroom. The screen is seven meters across, and thanks to its daily grind as a color correction space, it’s calibrated to perfection. Later, we view a press screening of Lee, and the image is staggeringly beautiful.

As I lean back on the sofa, I can’t help but think this doesn’t feel like a Brooklyn cinema. Those have a grimy majestic quality, as if they’re emulating old Vaudevillian theaters. Kino Konepaja feels like home. It has an instant familiarity to it.

For public screenings, Kino Konepaja offers a selection of snack foods like sandwiches and traditional popcorn. Wine and spirits are on the menu as well. The round tables by each sofa come equipped with tiny spotlights. It has the air of a smoky diner or speakeasy. It’s the kind of place you go to unwind after work.

As the film is about to begin, the projectionist wanders about the room, fixing last-minute details. “I’ve got subtitles for tomorrow’s movie,” he explains. We chat for a spell about the projector and its quirks. Meanwhile, Myllyniemi pushes the temporary door into the theater shut. A new one should arrive just in time for the opening.

Everyone is in go mode. They’ve worked at this non-stop for the past year. The first week of screenings is completely sold out. From here, the daily grind begins in earnest.

“It’s like producing a feature film,” Myllyniemi ponders as we collect our popcorn. “In the end, you just have to will it into reality.”

As the screening ends, I hang around for a couple more photos. I listen to the chatter as Uimonen directs her colleagues on details and tasks before tonight’s screening. Everyone sees the big picture. They dream of cinema.

Kino Konepaja is now open. Check out more information on screenings here.