Cine Astrid

Located in Merelbeke, to the south of Gent. Christiane Léger’s parents took over the café ‘In de Vier Winden’ in 1956 at the corner of the Waterstraat and the Hundelgemsesteenweg. The Enterprising Abel Léger did not only exploit a tavern, there was also a cinema and a bakery. No wonder that everybody in the family Léger had to pitch in.

“Our cinema got the name of my sister Astrid,” explains Christiane Léger; “My mother did the accounting, Astrid and I took care of the ticket sales and every Friday morning we rode with the car to Brussels to pick up the movies. My father worked in the bakery and held open the café. My brother delivered bread and took care of the projection. Our room was nicely decorated and accommodated 400 persons. I still remember the success of top movies as "Bridge on the River Kwai” and “The King and I” with Yul Brynner. The cinema was open on Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sundays; On Sunday there were also two afternoon shows. Saturday night was our top night, at the end of the movie the café was full, the men often played cards while waiting for their wives. In 1964 we had to close the cinema, TV and car ownership was it’s downfall".

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.