Rio Paradiso: Voices behind and around the walls

This academic abstract delves into the documentary film titled 'Rio Paradiso,' exploring the rich tapestry of a historic cinema with local communities, diverse yet connected as a neighbourhood, urban infrastructures, formal and informal urban publics, and questions of living close to borders.The Rio Cinema, inaugurated in 1965 with the screening of 'South Pacific,' once stood as a prestigious cinematic establishment, boasting a 70 mm screen and stereo sound system. It thrived by showcasing Hollywood blockbusters like 'Sound of Music.' However, it fell victim to the anti-Tamil riots of 1983, enduring arson and destruction alongside the adjacent Rio Hotel and Navah Cinema. Remarkably, the Rio Cinema remains as a solitary monument in Colombo, resilient in the face of its peers' demise. While on the brink of demolition, it occasionally reawakens to host contemporary art exhibitions and musical events. Though not traditionally a "Commemorative Space," it embodies the memories of diverse social strata and ethnic communities. The documentary captures the narratives of the cinema's proprietor, staff members, and fervent patrons from its heyday. It is embedded within the evolving landscape of Slave Island, marked by forced evictions aimed at transforming Colombo into a "slum-free" city. This film offers a poignant reflection on the cinema's role in the daily life of the low-income neighbourhood, especially during the post-pandemic era when it predominantly screens soft porn, becoming a stage where varied forms of masculinity within the community intersect and manifest.