Tiny Styx cinema re-opens in Ixelles

Lovingly known as Belgium’s smallest cinema, Styx in Ixelles has re-opened its doors after closing two years ago. The diminutive cinema has been renovated and is under new management.

Artists Luis Cardoso and Isabelle Licher – the latter works in the visual arts – have taken over the space and believe that locals’ keen interest in arthouse cinema will be able to keep it going. They are long-time fans of the Styx, which the previous owner closed in 2015, citing a lack of funds to switch to digital technology.

“The first time I went to the Styx, it was to see Terry Gilliam’s Brazil,” says Cardoso. “There were no cinema seats, just regular chairs, and we’d go in with our beer and cigarettes. And when we wanted to chat with the person behind us, we’d just turn around and do it.”

The 50-year-old cinema on Rue de l’Arbre Bénit has two screens but only about 40 seats in total. It will show new indie films and continue the old tradition of midnights screenings. Smoking, it should be noted, is no longer allowed.