Indie cinema's The Bioscope turns 15
Independent cinema in South Africa has a wonderful history. Many years ago, in Hillbrow, the Mini Cini screened flicks that ranged from the bizarre to the sublime.
The 7 Arts in Norwood was an absolute institution, and today, still, the Labia in Cape Town celebrates celluloid art. In Joburg, the Bioscope at 44 Stanley marks 15 years of movies this year.
There is something special about Bioscope. Its wooden decked lobby, the memorabilia gift shop and the car-seat rowed theatre. It's artsy, but accessible. And nothing could temper co-founder Russel Grant's passion for the movies. It is thrilling to be in his company, and Grant's love for film is as infectious as the smell of fresh popcorn.
It all started at film school, in class. Fellow founder Darryl Els wrote a thesis on the question of whether independent cinema would cut it commercially in Joburg. Grant was not just intrigued, he was sold. Test screenings were held at Wits, and the pair soon found themselves caught up in something that snowballed. The Bioscope opened its doors in 2010 in central Joburg, just as Maboneng was beginning to position itself as the new creative district.
'We'd meet in parking lots'
'We had no money,' said Grant, 'but we had a lot of ideas. We would meet in parking lots to talk budgets and make plans. It moved quickly.' Within two months, they were hosting screenings for the Encounters Documentary Film Festival, attracting sold-out houses and joining the local and international film stream almost overnight.
From the start, The Bioscope stood apart. One screen. Handpicked films. There was no need to show whatever was trending just to fill a schedule, said Grant. 'It was always about creating something different,' shared Grant. 'Not just a cinema, but a space.'
Also Read: Fashion for tactile people
There's a bar, a pizza oven, cocktails, and a proudly local gift shop where Jozi-centric T-shirts and film memorabilia sit side by side with vinyl records and superhero compendiums. 'I always loved those shops in Japan where every T-shirt was different,' said Grant. 'I wanted to do something like that here. Good art, printed well, made by local talent.'
In 2019, the Bioscope made its move to 44 Stanley in Milpark. Maboneng had changed, said Grant. The vibe had become too loud for the kind of quieter magic that cinema required. 'We needed calm,' Grant said. 'Cinema is intimate. It does not compete well with noise.'
Movies, comedy, burlesque – the lot
Today, The Bioscope hosts everything from indie film nights and student setwork screenings to live comedy shows, burlesque, birthday parties, and documentary screenings. 'We can run six or seven different things in a single Saturday,' said Grant. 'We just rotate the room. Kids in the morning, cabaret by night. It works.'
It works, in part, because Grant's ambition is not to become a giant chain of cineplexes. There was never a rush to expand or franchise, he noted. 'If you get too big, you lose what made you special,' said Grant. 'This space, this screen, that is the point. It must be the best it can be.' This is also why the old car seats in the theatre are being refurbished, not replaced. The projector was recently upgraded. Grant recently met someone whose job is to professionally clean cinema screens, and they are now working together. 'Every detail matters,' he said. 'We want people to feel that we care. Because we do.'
Some nights in the history of The Bioscope were unforgettable, he shared. When George Bizos attended a screening about his own life, flanked by Justice Edwin Cameron and Nadine Gordimer was a standout. When Oscar winner Francis McDormand popped in, or when Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers turned up. But the real win, said Grant, is the audience that comes back again and again. 'That is what matters.'
Now Read: It's lekker, messy creativity and art
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- The Citizen
Gold and Glamour: Masango by Siphosihle Dazzles at the Hollywoodbets Durban July
This year's Durban July theme celebrates local creativity, heritage, and bold self-expression. Mihlale Ndamase, Cyan Boujee and Gogo Skhotheni at the Durban July. Pictures: Supplied The Hollywoodbets Durban July is in full swing at the iconic Greyville Racecourse, transforming the coastal city into a runway of high fashion, culture, and South African excellence. This year's theme, Marvels of Mzansi, is more than just a nod to beauty – it's a celebration of local creativity, heritage, and bold self-expression. From classic couture to proudly traditional garments, designers have interpreted the theme with flair, and one name stands tall in the glittering crowd: Siphosihle Masango. ALSO READ: PICS: What Mihlali, Gogo Skhotheni and Tbo Touch will be wearing at Durban July today! A Fashionable force from the City of Gold Hailing from Gauteng, Masango is proving once again why his brand, Masango by Siphosihle, is one of the most sought-after fashion houses in the country. Known for his detailed tailoring and artistic storytelling through fabric, Siphosihle brought a touch of Jozi glam to Durban, dressing some of the country's most talked-about personalities for this year's event. Masango's designs are being worn today by some of the biggest names in local pop culture—Cyan Boujee, Mihlali Ndamase, and celebrity stylist Phupho Gumede—each representing Joburg's glitz, grit, and cultural fusion. Social media sensation and beauty influencer Cyan Boujee stunned in a structural gold corseted gown with sweeping metallic draping, exuding the kind of boldness only Masango could deliver. 'This is my superhero moment,' Cyan posted on her Instagram, referring to the Marvels of Mzansi theme while posing against the Durban skyline. Mihlali Ndamase, no stranger to red carpets, took a more subtle yet equally powerful approach. She wore a regal black velvet number embellished with hand-beaded Ndebele motifs across the bust and sleeves. The look nodded to cultural royalty while keeping with Masango's signature luxury. Stylist Phupho Gumede—who has been making waves not only for his own style but also for that of his celebrity clients—showed up in a sharp, gender-fluid emerald green suit featuring layered fabrics and dramatic shoulder detailing. It was a standout moment that merged fashion-forward thinking with African identity. ALSO READ: Marvels of Mzansi: What to wear to the Durban July 2025 Design with a Purpose Masango doesn't just design clothes—he tells stories. 'My pieces are about where we come from, but also where we're going. Marvels of Mzansi isn't just about land or architecture, it's about people—people who shine despite the odds,' he said in a quick interview at one of the marquees. What sets Masango apart is his ability to merge structure with soul, and this year's Durban July collection was no exception. Every stitch and silhouette spoke to South Africa's resilience, vibrancy, and ever-evolving fashion scene. NOW READ: Here's to a Royal Victory at Durban July
Mail & Guardian
04-07-2025
- Mail & Guardian
Diary: Comedy Jam at The Houghton Hotel in August, Vuma Levin returns with new album Allegories, Black Coffee at Hey Neighbour
Jozi jokes: Comedy Jam will be on at the Houghton Hotel on Friday 2 August. Comedy Jam – one night, five legends Johannesburg, South Africa — get ready for an explosive night of laughter as Comedy Jam hits the stage at The Houghton Hotel on Friday, 2 August. This one-night-only event assembles five titans of South African stand-up: Schalk Bezuidenhout, David Kau, Alan Committie, Mark Banks and Chris Forrest. From Bezuidenhout's quirky charm to Kau's fearless satire, Committie's theatrical brilliance, Banks' political punchlines and Forrest's deadpan gold — it's a comedy lover's dream. Set in the heart of Jozi, Comedy Jam is a celebration of the city's legacy as the home of boundary-breaking humour. Expect world-class stand-up, a full bar and food service and convenient underground parking — all in the luxurious surroundings of The Houghton. Seating is limited, so grab your tickets at Must-see moment in modern jazz with Vuma Levin Award-winning South African jazz guitarist Vuma Levin returns with Allegories, a genre-defying new album launching on 11 July. Developed through a Confluences Grant from ProHelvetia, and recorded in Switzerland's legendary Studio Flon, the project is a collaboration between Levin and top European musicians under the Swiss–South African ensemble In Motion. To launch the album, Levin is on a tour of Makhanda, Johannesburg and Cape Town this month, joined by renowned percussionist Gontse Makhene. Tickets are available from Webtickets, Fixr and Quicket. Black Coffee to perform at Pretoria music festival Caffeine rush: Black Coffee will be the main attraction on day two of the Hey Neighbour event. Get ready, neighbours — the next wave of the Hey Neighbour 2025 line-up has officially landed, and it's bringing serious heat, soul and unstoppable energy. Headlining this electric drop is global house music icon Black Coffee, returning to home soil with surprise guests in tow. From Ibiza to Coachella, he's set stages ablaze across the world and now he's coming to remind us why SA leads the global soundscape. Backing him up is a stacked day-two local lineup that hits all the right notes: Elaine's smooth R&B, Muzi's futuristic Zulu bounce, Khuli Chana's unmatched Motswako fire and Sun-EL Musician's transcendent Afro-electronic vibes. Add in deep house pioneers, amapiano angels and genre-pushing DJs, and you've got a soundtrack built for unforgettable memories. Happening 30 and 31 August at Legends Adventure Farm, Pretoria, this is more than a music festival — it's a movement.
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- The Citizen
Indie cinema's The Bioscope turns 15
Today, The Bioscope hosts everything from indie film nights and student setwork screenings to live comedy shows, burlesque, birthday parties, and documentary screenings. Independent cinema in South Africa has a wonderful history. Many years ago, in Hillbrow, the Mini Cini screened flicks that ranged from the bizarre to the sublime. The 7 Arts in Norwood was an absolute institution, and today, still, the Labia in Cape Town celebrates celluloid art. In Joburg, the Bioscope at 44 Stanley marks 15 years of movies this year. There is something special about Bioscope. Its wooden decked lobby, the memorabilia gift shop and the car-seat rowed theatre. It's artsy, but accessible. And nothing could temper co-founder Russel Grant's passion for the movies. It is thrilling to be in his company, and Grant's love for film is as infectious as the smell of fresh popcorn. It all started at film school, in class. Fellow founder Darryl Els wrote a thesis on the question of whether independent cinema would cut it commercially in Joburg. Grant was not just intrigued, he was sold. Test screenings were held at Wits, and the pair soon found themselves caught up in something that snowballed. The Bioscope opened its doors in 2010 in central Joburg, just as Maboneng was beginning to position itself as the new creative district. 'We'd meet in parking lots' 'We had no money,' said Grant, 'but we had a lot of ideas. We would meet in parking lots to talk budgets and make plans. It moved quickly.' Within two months, they were hosting screenings for the Encounters Documentary Film Festival, attracting sold-out houses and joining the local and international film stream almost overnight. From the start, The Bioscope stood apart. One screen. Handpicked films. There was no need to show whatever was trending just to fill a schedule, said Grant. 'It was always about creating something different,' shared Grant. 'Not just a cinema, but a space.' Also Read: Fashion for tactile people There's a bar, a pizza oven, cocktails, and a proudly local gift shop where Jozi-centric T-shirts and film memorabilia sit side by side with vinyl records and superhero compendiums. 'I always loved those shops in Japan where every T-shirt was different,' said Grant. 'I wanted to do something like that here. Good art, printed well, made by local talent.' In 2019, the Bioscope made its move to 44 Stanley in Milpark. Maboneng had changed, said Grant. The vibe had become too loud for the kind of quieter magic that cinema required. 'We needed calm,' Grant said. 'Cinema is intimate. It does not compete well with noise.' Movies, comedy, burlesque – the lot Today, The Bioscope hosts everything from indie film nights and student setwork screenings to live comedy shows, burlesque, birthday parties, and documentary screenings. 'We can run six or seven different things in a single Saturday,' said Grant. 'We just rotate the room. Kids in the morning, cabaret by night. It works.' It works, in part, because Grant's ambition is not to become a giant chain of cineplexes. There was never a rush to expand or franchise, he noted. 'If you get too big, you lose what made you special,' said Grant. 'This space, this screen, that is the point. It must be the best it can be.' This is also why the old car seats in the theatre are being refurbished, not replaced. The projector was recently upgraded. Grant recently met someone whose job is to professionally clean cinema screens, and they are now working together. 'Every detail matters,' he said. 'We want people to feel that we care. Because we do.' Some nights in the history of The Bioscope were unforgettable, he shared. When George Bizos attended a screening about his own life, flanked by Justice Edwin Cameron and Nadine Gordimer was a standout. When Oscar winner Francis McDormand popped in, or when Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers turned up. But the real win, said Grant, is the audience that comes back again and again. 'That is what matters.' Now Read: It's lekker, messy creativity and art
