Close-Up Cinema

Found Close-Up Cinema accidentally when I used to live in the area, but only went recently for a documentary. It’s more than a cinema — a cinema club, archive, and cultural hub. Welcoming, with an extensive library and film collection. A super nice, cosy space with sofas and a bar to hang out. Small cinema room — ideal for private events as well. Friendly staff. So worth the visit.

Last night, we visited the Close-Up venue to watch the Iranian film "The Turtle." I want to start by saying that we absolutely loved the space. The cafe and cinema have a fantastic atmosphere—very cool, welcoming, and friendly vibes. The staff we interacted with were lovely, and the overall environment was great. However, I had a very disappointing experience regarding the ticketing. I purchased two tickets online in advance for £30. While we were there, another person arrived and asked to buy a ticket, but they were told they didn't need one and could just go in and sit for free. I found this completely confusing and, frankly, very unfair. While we enjoyed the film and the venue's aesthetic, this inconsistency in pricing left us feeling quite frustrated. But overall great movie and atmosphere Thank you so much.

What a gem of a cinema and venue. We hosted our friends and family screening here and everyone loved it. The staff were helpful, experienced and let us do our thing on the night. I will definitely be returning!

We had a great experience screening our short film at Close-Up on Sunday. The team were lovely and everyone was so impressed with the beautiful space - we'll certainly host more screenings there in the future!

It’s been a few months since I left London, and the Close Up is what I miss most. If you’ve ever considered going, go. If you’ve ever considered getting a membership, get one. Better yet, get a dual one and take your friends.

Beautiful space and concept, but had to leave due to someone on their phone multiple times and even filming the screen. You’d think in a place like this you’d be immune from phone users but no. Maybe a ‘turn off phones’ advert would be applicable before screenings or something similar made in house. Also, very loud, like unnecessarily loud. I’ve been to concerts that were quieter 😆

Amazing! Everything about this venue is fitted and suited to maximise your screening experience. A haven and hub for all things film. The staff are welcoming, professional and helpful.

Had the pleasure of booking a Cast and Crew screening for a series of short films at the Close-Up. The experience was incredibly positive dealing with the staff and cinema as a whole. As an independent filmmaker I needed somewhere affordable with excellent facilities and I found that at this gem of a place.

We popped into "Close-Up" late on a weekday evening. We weren't looking for a specific place, but we decided to grab a cup of coffee and relax. It was fantastic. It a really chill spot, with good music, relaxing vibes, and a good spot for tea, coffee, or an adult beverage as well. If you don't mind venturing off in the night in the neighborhood, it's a cool spot.

This tiny shop carries a fantastic collection of cinema. Upstairs is mostly name-brand movies and new releases, but downstairs is where the more obscure, foreign, short, and documentary titles are - and where the real gems are to be found. I've never before encountered a video store with so much space dedicated to artists' biographies and retrospectives, nor such a vast collection of short compilations. They also have a cherry picked collection of documentaries - I have trouble not taking the entire shelf home with me when I pay a visit since they've got so many that sound intriguing and got top-marks at film festivals (Sundance, Cannes, Toronto), but for whatever reason, never made it into the popular distribution a la Michael Moore (though they have him too). Oh, and of course, it goes without saying that their classics section is also phenomenal - complete with companion book volumes upstairs on sale to go along with certain particularly notable films - for the true cinephiles. The staff is uber knowledgeable about what's in the store's collection - it's clear to see that these are the types that breathe, sleep, and dream film. And the prices are pretty reasonable - especially if you go for the unlimited rental option, which only costs £20 (otherwise, it's £3 per rental). *Only* complaint is that the films are organized by directors... which I'm sure is totally intuitive for die-hard film lovers... but not always so much for those of us who are a little less erudite - I mean, I appreciate the education I've received on this matter and all as a result... but it's not always the most convenient!

It's the place to go for our long nights during winter or simply during the week end when you want to be lazy by sitting in a sofa or whatever. This is not a simply DVD shop, it is the ONE! Full of dvd's, it's really hard to make a choice maybe that's why you can enrol for a membership not expensive at all if you are a movie-goer and you rent at least 3 movies each time. You can subscribe for £20 a month or £90 for 6months. If you are sharing a flat this is a good idea to also share your dvd's! Find your dvd by making a choice between classics, experimentals, world cinema , documentaries. Open until 8:30pm every day.

I want to add to the previews above that It's only £10 per month and you can take as many videos / dvd's as you want, based on max of 3 for 3 days at a time. They say it is non profit making, so new stock is being bought all the time. My inimitable friend would be well satisfied with the collection of Charles Dickens films available, and respectful of the bigger collection of Shakespeare (of whom he was a great fan). They are in Brick Lane; do visit their website www.close-upvideos.com

Close-Up is, I believe, Shoreditch's only remaining video library. Located on Brick Lane in a tiny shop with love-worn old floorboards and an extraordinary selection of World, arthouse and cult films, Close-Up is the antithesis of your average Blockbuster type video rental place. Sometimes - like when searching for an obscure auteur piece during university - I have considered this a blessing; sometimes, like when I really, really just want to watch a romantic comedy, I think this a curse. If you're a true film buff you should definitely check Close-Up out for its range of hard to find films and sign up for its newsletter which will get you exclusive invites to Close-Up's screenings. But at £3 for new releases and non-new releases alike, Close-Up is not nearly as economical as various internet-based rental services.

This is by far my favourite video store in London. I have a very bad history with returning videos late, but due to the fact that Close up is literally thirty paces from my front door, I now return all movies on time. And that brings me much joy. What also gives me much joy is the store itself - it is magical. With lots of dark woods and DVDs from floor to ceiling sorted in various categories - by director, period, or genre - it is probably the best arthouse collection in London. And don't forget to go downstairs - the basement area is packed with films sorted by country, with television series, nostalgia, and so forth. The staff are also great in that fabulously 'Video-nerd' way, and always are happy to help. With great deals - about £30 for unlimited films a month I believe - it's phenomenal. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Thanks qype for helping me find this wonderful place. It's actually only £10 per month (not £20)as reported, and you can take as many videos/dvd's as you want, based on max of 3 for 3 days at a time. They say it is non profit making, so new stock is being bought all the time. My inimitable friend would be well satified with the collection of Charles Dickens available, and respectful of the bigger collection of Shakespeare (of whom he was a great fan). They are in Brick Lane; do visit their website http://www.close-upvideos.com

I was looking for something like that in London. Finally, I found hanging around Brick Lane a Sunday evening. It reminds me a similar dvd rental place in Madrid where I used to go. Currently, it's my spot in my day off. I really love it. I thing they have to update the Spanish films section though. However, the French one is quite wide.

Best film club in London. There's not a lot more to add. Incredible value for money as well, and knowledgeable staff.

A heaven for any film connoisseurs. At a price of 60£ for 6 months (3 films a day, you can share the cost with 2nd person/flatmate) nothing is stopping you to start renting.

close-up must be the most loved video rental outlet in london. you may not find many blockbusters, or cheesy comedies to take home, but it is the only one that would satisfy you if you are very literate in cinema. they have all sorted by directors or styles, so worth to give a try if you can't find that quirky first film of david lynch or soderbergh. while it is rather expensive, you can join for a month for 20£, so you can make it every other, partner up with some friends or anything else you can think of to make the most of it... as long as you don't keep more than three films at once... cool

Great price for so big collection of movies, only 10 pounds for monthly subscription. You can take 3 movies for 3 days which is great.