Silents with live piano
Among the few experiences left in Europe returning the film to its original form.
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Belgium's royal film archive, housed inside the BOZAR building. It preserves one of the largest film collections in the world and screens from it daily in two auditoriums. This is not a museum in the ordinary sense. Most of it is a cinema running a daily programme of classics, silent films, documentaries and world cinema, at prices well below commercial theatres. What genuinely distinguishes it is the silent film screenings with live piano accompaniment, presented regularly rather than as an occasional event. These are among the few remaining experiences in Europe that return silent film to its original form. There is also a small display of pre-cinema devices: optical boxes and moving discs explaining how the visual illusion cinema rests on came about. But the real reason to come is the programme, so check it before going.
Among the few experiences left in Europe returning the film to its original form.
It preserves one of the largest film collections in the world.
Optical boxes and discs explaining the origin of the illusion cinema rests on.
Inside the BOZAR building, Brussels
Mont des ArtsMont des Arts is the terraced garden linking the lower town (Grand-Place) to the1 minute walk4.7
Coudenberg PalaceCoudenberg is Brussels' lost palace: on the hill of the Place Royale stood for c1 minute walk4.4
KBR MuseumA museum inside the Royal Library of Belgium, opened in 2020 around one specific1 minute walk4.7
BOZAR Centre for Fine ArtsBrussels's principal arts centre, in a building designed by Victor Horta and com2 minutes walk4.6
Palace of Charles of LorraineThe remains of an eighteenth-century palace built by Charles Alexander of Lorrai2 minutes walk4.4It depends on the film and the screening. Belgium is bilingual and screenings usually carry Dutch and French subtitles, with foreign films shown in their original language. English subtitles are not guaranteed — check the specific screening before booking. Silent films solve this problem by their nature.
For a screening. The small pre-cinema display is pleasant but not reason enough to come. The real value is the programme, and specifically a silent screening with live piano if one falls during your stay.