WORDS TALIA WALDEGRAVE PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN

For many, winter is a time to hunker down, but those dark evenings are a great opportunity to get out and fill your brain with a bit of culture.

Each time I visit the Historic Village, exciting things are happening, and in this chapter on Tauranga’s sweet slice of history, I explore the evening offerings available over the cooler months. 

The Village Cinema plays host to Tauranga’s newest club for film buffs: Cult Cinema, run by event organisers Kimberley Cleland and Melanie Mills. The girls met while working on ‘Night Owl Cinema’ - the New Zealand interpretation of the All American Drive Thru.

MM. “Most of our events slow down after summer, so we wanted to offer an alternative over autumn and winter. That’s where the idea for Cult came from.”

KC. “Once we had a project, we needed a venue. Mel asked if I’d seen the cinema in the Historic Village and it was so coincidental, because I’d actually just held an event there.”

The first time I saw the Village Cinema, I was told it was destined for greatness, but I wasn’t so sure. Pre-refurbishment, the interior was all shades purple and looking a little worse for wear. On my recent return, I was blown away. The Art Deco makeover has injected it with life and I felt I’d stepped into the glamorously attractive bygone era of the 1920's. 

MM. “I happened to be working on a different project, when I spotted the cinema. I’d literally walked past a million times and never noticed it! It was completely under utilised.”

For Cult Cinema, the girls have created a complete cinematic experience, including an outdoor area to enjoy drinks and movie snacks before each showing. 

KC. "It was a deliberate choice to provide people with an alfresco dining experience. During the day, you hardly notice the trees, but at night they light up, and the cobbled streets have you feeling as if you're in a little European alleyway.”

MM. "We've got a heater and a little restaurant bar, that was actually handmade for us by our coffee supplier and we often invites a food trucks to come along. We serve as much locally as we can - you can have a hot chocolate and a cookie, or wrap your mittened fingers around a lovely glass of beer, wine or cider."

MM. “We both come from hospitality backgrounds and just love having that interaction with our guests from behind the bar.”

As for the films, it’s all about the classics. 

MM. “The reaction we get is the best part. It evokes so many emotions from people and it’s lovely to see them come back and say how wonderful it was.”

KC. “When we played Easy Rider, my father in law told me how revolutionary that movie was for his time. He was so excited about seeing it and that kind of input is always encouraging.”

ALSO ON…

 The Detour Theatre is a one-stop shop for all things theatrical. From drama classes to performing, or simply getting involved behind the scenes, it’s a place where the magic happens. 

If you find the family suffering from cabin fever and need to escape the four walls of home, a walk through the gardens and surrounding bush, a pit stop at the café, get involved in an art class or a shop for gifts and souvenirs – there’s plenty to do.  Check out the Historic Village website for all the need to know.

For long time locals, the Historic Village spurs certain nostalgia, one that some are scared they’ve lost, but it is absolutely worth rediscovering what goes on there today.

cultcinemaclub.com