Lower Parel's Deepak Talkies might soon be to cinema buffs what Prithvi theatre is to theatre lovers. This Friday, in the presence of filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, the recently refurbished single-screen welcomed the Matterden Center for Films and Creation - a first-of-its-kind film centre in the city - to its premises. The 85-year-old Deepak theatre has now permanently offered its evening slot to this center for the purpose of screening inspiring foreign and art-house movies.

“Mumbai loves cinema, mostly the same kind of cinema which gets a lot of space," says Varun Verma, director of the centre. “But a different, new kind of cinema needs a home," adds Verma, citing the Lincoln Film Center in New York that has contributed in creating thoughtful audiences.

So, to begin with, one film will be released every week at the theatre with a daily evening show. The first collection A Line of of films titled 'Classics for Mumbai' includes Kurosawa's 'Rashomon', considered one of the most important works, De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves' and Buster Keaton's 'The General'.

At the launch, Motwane shared that he discovered classics either at film festivals or on DVDs. “However, the fun of discovering a film in a theatre with like-minded people is magical," said Motwane. “I love the fact that Matterden CFC is doing this because for a new generation to discover 'Bicycle Thieves' or 'Rashomon' or for that matter any other contemporary film in a darkened theatre on a large screen is just magical.“

The idea came up when visitors at the new Deepak Talkies, which was launched in February 2014, saw the British ambience and suggested it would be ideal for hosting arthouse cinema and film festivals. A bit of research led the owner of Deepak, Punit Shah to Enlighten Society, an arts media NGO committed to disseminating and preserving all forms of the arts. Overwhelmed by his decision to offer the premises, and wanting to turn their passion into business, the NGO launched Matterden. “As opposed to a regular theatre, which is just for consumption of cinema, this centre would be a place for creation of it," says Shah, adding that the abundance of open space would be conducive to writers, directors, producers and lyricists to discuss moviemaking, programming and educate film students.

“People want to meet people, not only look at screens," says Verma, adding that holding workshops and discussions are also part of the centre's agenda.

Various filmmakers, international film studios and friends from the film and tech community have pledged their support for this centre. With their help, the centre will shift gears from September onwards towards advance screenings of Indian independent films, creation of a library of books on cinema and organising workshops by animators and filmmakers to create a culture of modern film viewing.

SCHEDULE from July 11 to September 11

One film will be released every Friday at Matterden CFC. One evening show of that film will be held every day throughout the week

11 July-17 July
Bicycle Thieves

18 July-24 July
Roman Holiday

25 July-31 July
The General

1 August-7 August
Citizen Kane

8 August-14 August
City Lights

15 August-21 August
Shadow Of A Doubt

22 August-28 August
Children Of Heaven

29 August-4 September
Seven Samurai

5 September-11 September
Jalsaghar (Satyajit Ray)