Writer George Martin Purchases, to Renovate Jean Cocteau Cinema

By Anca Gagiuc, Associate Editor

George R. R. Martin needs no further introduction. Since his bestseller novel, A Song of Ice and Fire, has seen the printer’s ink, he’s become one of the world’s most influential people. HBO recognized the success and turned it into the very popular dramatic series, Game of Thrones. The novel is yet to be finished, readers and movie fans are looking forward to the sixth and seventh books of the series.

The writer has been residing in Santa Fe since 1979 and back then, he told ABQ Journal, Jean Cocteau Cinema was a “small cult theater run by people who really loved film.” It “is the theater where I became addicted to putting Parmesan on my popcorn.” This movie theatre has one screen and 123 seats and used to be home to independent and foreign films. Seven years in a row it won the Best of Santa Fe award. In 2006, it closed. Now, Martin hopes to restore the building to its former glory.

The property located at 418 Montezuma Ave had been on the market for $1.9 million listed by the movie theatre’s last operator, Trans-Lux Montezuma Corp. Neither the price nor the estimated costs for the renovation have been made public by Martin. It is certain that the building that dates back to 1910-1912 will have its 1950s 35mm projector upgraded and the lobby, the offices, and the basement renovated to meet the current standards.

“The theater is in very good shape for something that has been dark for seven years,” Martin said. For the new Jean Cocteau, he plans a themed film program, with series and musicals included. The midnight movie special is also something he would like to revive.

So far, the writer didn’t decide what movie will mark the reopening of the theatre. The date for the grand event has not been set either.

Photo credits: ABQ Journal