WELCOME TO HELSINKI'S MOST BEAUTIFUL CINEMA

The renowned Orion is one of Helsinki's oldest still operating cinemas. Its origins date back to 1927-28, when businessman Arthur Nyman built a fire-proof stone house, the so-called Eerikinkatu Castle, at Eerikinkatu 15-17, where he planned to build a cinema in addition to residential and commercial apartments and a garage. This neighbourhood cinema opened in 1927 and was named (Bio) Athena.

Picture: Inka Maijala

The Most Beautiful Cinema In Town?

The Art Deco theatre, like the entire Eerik Castle, was designed by architect Martti Välikangas (1893-1972), who is also known as the designer of the Käpylä garden district. As you enter the lobby of the theatre, it is worth paying attention to the columns, which the architect has used to create the illusion of a longer staircase than it really is. Also worth a visit is the theatre's orchestra pit, which was used to accompany film screenings during the silent film era. The framework of this neighbourhood cinema is the most representative of its era.

The theatre originally had a capacity of just over 300 seats. Today, Cinema Orion has 214 seats, 43 of which are in the balcony (including 2 wheelchair spaces). The theatre's chairs have been praised as the most comfortable in the city. The most discerning may have noticed the glittering brass plaques on the benches, many bearing the name of a well-known filmmaker. The majority of the nameplates were acquired in winter 2019, when Orion's screening activities were transferred from the National Audiovisual Institute (formerly the Finnish Film Archive) to the Centre for Living Image ELKE. The most devoted supporters of the theatre ensured the continuation of the screenings by redeeming patron seats. ELKE has honoured prominent filmmakers with front-row seats, the so-called "honorary chairs". If you are interested in claiming a chair, please contact [email protected].

Picture: Jarno Jussila

The beloved theatre has had many names and operators

From the very start, the theatre space at Eerikinkatu 15 has been rented by its operators. The name and the tenants have changed over the decades, but its elegance has not. The authentic Cinema Orion is the heart of its current operator, the Centre for Living Image ELKE, which, among other things, serves as a home for the films distributed by the association, along with classics and the latest releases.

ELKE's purpose is to promote audiovisual culture nationwide. The association is a national cultural association founded by 22 community members and a number of influential film professionals, with the aim of fostering film and audiovisual culture as a vibrant, high-quality and multi-faceted art form. 

Awards received by ELKE ry:

2021            Documentary Filmmaking Of The Year Award (The Finnish Documentary Guild)
2022            Matti Pellonpää Award (Saarijärvi Film Week)

Audience Feedback on Cinema Orion:

"Orion is an atmospheric theatre where film art is given its due. Watching a film in such a setting is enjoyable and captivating."

"I've been coming to Orion for a long time, I like the non-mainstream programming and the atmosphere of the theatre."

"Affordable tickets, a unique film experience and the best cinema hall in the country."

"Friendly staff, respectful spirit among moviegoers, wonderful environment."

"Softest seats, best programming."

In autumn 2022, director Hanna Bergholm named Cinema Orion as a landmark in her own filmmaking career in Sight and Sound magazine's Dream Palaces article series. Read the full interview:

Picture: Inka Maijala

Cinemas at Eerikinkatu 15

(Bio) Athena (1927–29)
Ritz (1929)
Ateena (1930–34)
Athena (1934–61)
Athena-Studio (1961–63)
Athena (1964)
Uusi Orion (1964–83)
Orion (1984–2018)
Cinema Orion (2019–)

Source: Hilapieli, Urmas A: Kino-Suomi (Teos, 2021)

Picture: Alejandro Lorenzo