The Art Deco Cinema Rif has dominated the Grand Socco since 1938. After a long decline it was rescued in 2007 by the Cinémathèque de Tanger — a non-profit founded by photographer Yto Barrada — which now runs daily programmes ranging from Moroccan independent film to international classics, often in French or English with Arabic subtitles. The lobby cafe is one of the most stylish in town and a popular meeting spot for the local cultural set.
The cinema is the most successful piece of cultural-heritage repurposing in Tangier and an essential stop for anyone interested in North African film or modernist design. Even visitors not catching a screening should sit in the cafe with a coffee for half an hour. Check the website for current programming.
Address: Place du 9 Avril 1947 (Grand Socco), Tangier.