Bike Powered Movie Theater: Raw Video

A movie theatre in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is adding a new perspective to eco-technology.

Film buffs hoping for a night out to enjoy a screening can forget about a bag of buttery popcorn and a large soft drink. They will be working hard to enjoy their film.

At the "Pasaka" or "Fairytale" art house cinema, the film projector is powered by peddling on stationary bicycles. And people who volunteer to peddle on the bicycles get to watch the film for free.

Powering the theatre's 400-watt projection system is a labour intensive job, with volunteers guaranteed to raise their heart rates throughout the screening.

"Peddling while watching a movie is such an interesting feeling because you are exercising and watching something at the same time," said Simonas Gutautas, who volunteered to peddle during a recent screening.

"The idea of cycling and watching a movie at the same time is super cool -- this is entertainment and sports. I am very, very pleased. This is a load of energy," said another volunteer peddler, Monika Kundelyte.

Enthusiasts set up the bikes on special stands inside the screening hall and wire the bike peddles with electric generators attached to the projection system.

"Preparing all eight bicycles takes on average about half an hour. The preparation process consists of setting up the bikes on the special stand after removing the rear tyre, attaching the bike belt to the generator, which turns the electric generator on," said Egidijus Satas, a member of the organising committee for the bikes in cinemas initiative.

"Pasaka" cinema will project one bicycle generated film per week until May 6.

"We are bike enthusiasts and we love good movies. Also we want to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. We have decided bicycles can be used beyond the outdoors and it is possible to ride them inside a cinema to generate electricity, which would be used to project the films. During the movie, 20 volunteers will pedal the bikes and viewers will be able to join in as well," said another member of the organising committee, Jonas Dovydenas.

"Our cinema is a non commercial movie theatre, art house, and along with our audience, we like non-conventional ideas. So we are happy to adopt the idea of 'Velokinas'. Indeed, it is amazing cyclists can produce the energy necessary to project a movie," said Ruta Boguzaite, director of the cinema.

The cinema launched the concept on April 8. This is the first time an audience has been invited to peddle their way through a film screening in Lithuania.