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“Life isn't like in the movies, life is much harder,” says Alfredo, the projectionist from a small Italian village, to young Totò in Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso (1988). Who hasn't sunk into a cinema seat and surrendered to the lights projected on the big screen to forget real-life problems? In Carcavelos, it will still be possible to be dazzled by the magic of the seventh art.
One of the last neighbourhood cinemas on the Cascais Line, Atlântida Cine, is preparing for a rebirth. After closing its doors in May 2024 and being put up for sale at the end of that year, the space was acquired by Cascais Municipal Council for €600,000. The deed was formalized on 23 September 2026, ensuring that Carcavelos's legendary cinema room will continue to dedicate itself to the seventh art and cultural programming.
Founded in 1982 by Fausto Semedo, the venue operated for over 40 years in the basement of the Carcavelos Shopping Centre, next to the train station. Known for its unique atmosphere – where sessions would start to the sound of Nat King Cole's jazz – the Atlântida was a survivor in the region.
The closure in 2024, initially announced as a break for holidays and works, caused deep concern among local film buffs, who went as far as promoting an open letter, signed by the company Cinetoscópio and the Atlântida Cine Fan Community, defending the space's continuity.
With the transaction complete, the local council now begins the phase of assessing the state of the building to define the necessary refurbishment works. Although the management model and definitive line-up will be structured later, the council mayor, Nuno Piteira Lopes, has already assured that cinema will remain at the heart of the venue's identity. “The acquisition of Atlântida Cine is a decisive step towards securing the future of this space. With the local council's intervention, we ensure it remains dedicated to culture and cinema,” said the mayor, quoted in the statement, reproduced by Lusa.
In addition to these works, training initiatives, promotion of national cinema and joint projects with the community and local cultural agents are being considered.
Rua Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, 5-7, Carcavelos