San Francisco’s New Mission theater will be renamed after critically acclaimed movie director Christopher Nolan to honor his contributions to filmmaking as one of the pioneers in large format movie presentations.
The movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema began operating out of the New Mission theater in 2015 and the renaming is part of the 110th anniversary of the building, which first opened its doors to moviegoers May 4, 1916.
The renaming announced Wednesday also comes ahead of Nolan’s highly anticipated film, “The Odyssey,” releasing on July 17.
“San Francisco’s New Mission is a beautiful, historic, iconic cinema with more than a century of rich history,” Nolan said in a statement. “To be recognized in this way by Alamo Drafthouse, and with this particular theater which continues the great tradition of showing films on 70mm film, is an incredible honour.”
The theater received its now iconic design during a 1932 remodel by Timothy Pflueger. In 2001, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The theater has undergone various upgrades to interior design elements over the years. Upgrades include bringing back the original paint palette and 1930s carpeting. The theater was also equipped with a new full kitchen and bar as a part of Alamo Drafthouse moving into the space.
Esteemed company
Nolan joins a list of other important filmmakers whose names are on Alamo Drafthouse locations. Spike Lee, Bong Joon Ho and John Hughes have received similar treatment.
Official commemoration for this honor will happen later this year at a 70mm screening event in San Francisco that Nolan will attend.
“By dedicating New Mission in Mr. Nolan’s name, we’re celebrating and thanking a filmmaker whose work has consistently championed cinema not merely as entertainment, but as a cultural inheritance worth protecting,” Michael Kustermann, Alamo Drafthouse CEO, said in a statement.