For those movie buffs who believe that the world’s first studio was built in dream factory Hollywood, here’s the reality check — it was actually built in Turin, Italy, also home to the country’s national cinematic museum, one of the most important in the world — The Museo Nazionale Del Cinema.
The museum, located inside the Mole Antonelliana is actually a treat for a die hard film buff — providing a comprehensive history of cinema, even as it blends the traditional and contemporary in the presentations housed here. A Star Wars fan, for instance, will thrill at the original costumes of the furry giant Chewbacca, even as a techie buff would sit in front of a camera that actually places him in a movie (projected on a big screen nearby) playing out his favourite film fantasy!
Right at the centre of the museum is a grand ‘temple hall’ surrounded by exhibition areas that tell of historical genres/themes in the celluloid world. There is a huge viewing area here with chaises and headphones, which makes it possible to actually live the experience of the movie projected on giant screens. This is repeated in another room which allows you to lie on a bouncy bed as you watch films being run on the ceiling above you — novel or quirky as an idea, this room is nevertheless a crowd puller.
Spanning five levels, a visit here would possible take a good two-three hours. Poster fans would love the museum’s poster gallery, and for those who actually want to absorb each facet of movie making, there are several replicas of rooms/machinery used by a typical cameraperson/director/producer etc. The Archaeology of Cinema section is actually an interactive display, harbouring kinetoscopes, optical boxes and the like, depicting inventions dating from the time of the Lumiere brothers.
Originally conceived as a synagogue, built in 1863, the museum was later acquired in 1878 by the city of Turin to be turned into a monument to national unity. Completed in 1889, it was at the time, the tallest brick building in Europe. In 1961, a panoramic lift was installed, reaching the 85m high panoramic terrace at the top, providing a birdseye view of the city and the Alps.
Novel, compelling and steeped in cinema: how better to know more of world entertainment?! And once you are done absorbing all that history, you can take a piece of your favourite movie back home with you, from the museum store — as I did with a miniature Yoda replica from where else, but the cult Star Wars franchise!
