Cine-files: Lev Smadar, Jerusalem

On location: A narrow leafy side-street off Emek Refaim, a cafe-studded thoroughfare in west Jerusalem's German Colony . There's little indication that it's a cinema. Twenty minutes' walk from the historic Old City, it's surrounded by residential homes and next door to a small hotel whose cheaper rooms are directly over the auditorium; guests are warned that they might hear the soundtrack. Crowd scene: Affluent and educated. A preponderance of middle-aged British, American and French Jews who have made aliyah . On Shabbat it's packed with secular Jews, attracted to the only place in the area that's open. Back story: A legendary and much-loved movie theatre, it was founded in 1928 and initially used mainly by the British army during the Mandate era . In 1935 it opened to the general public as the German-owned Orient Cinema. It was turned over to Jewish management when threatened with a boycott in response to the ban on Jewish businesses in Nazi Germany. Over recent years it has been repeatedly threatened with sale and closure – it sits on prime west Jerusalem real estate – but each time its many devotees spring to its defence. Now it's part of the independent Lev group, which has a handful of cinemas in other Israeli towns and cities. Show business: Neither blockbusters nor arthouse flicks but mainly slightly offbeat British, American, European and Israeli films. Two or three alternating pictures run for weeks on end. Non-Israeli movies have Hebrew subtitles; Israeli ones usually have English subtitles. Currently showing Beginners , Footnote (an Israeli film) and Jane Eyre , plus children's screenings. Parental guidance: Screens kids' movies every morning and one afternoon a week during school holidays. Oddly, there are no discounted prices for children. Senior service: No special screenings, but a reduced price and warm welcome, especially in the afternoons. Tickets: Standard price is 38 shekels (around £6.85). You can also buy books of tickets – six for 180 shekels (£32.44), 10 for 265 (£47.76) or 20 for 465 (£83.78). Tickets can be purchased online or at the one tiny booth in the cinema, where the service can be infuriatingly slow. Camera fodder: Smadar is not just a cinema but also a cafe and licensed bar. It's kosher – and in this case dairy, which means no meat (Jewish dietary laws insist on the total separation of meat and milk products). The menu is good fresh Israeli food – plenty of vegetables and cheese; excellent bread with dips. Main courses include huge salads, omelettes, pizzas and risotto, all priced between £5-10. Popcorn is very popular. The cafe has a gorgeous stone-flagged floor, movie posters on the walls and an ancient tree trunk in one corner which pokes through the roof. Hot drinks: Good coffee (£2.15), herbal teas (£1.70), juices and smoothies. Med popcorn and drink It's £5.40 for a coke-and-corn combo. Alcohol: Yes – and you can take drinks into the cinema in plastic glasses. There's a variety of cocktails, wine (around £5 a glass) and beer (£3.60). Auditorium: One screen with 256 comfortable and spacious seats. Classic dark red décor. Disabled access: There's a ramp for wheelchair users. Events: Smadar itself doesn't run events, but you can hire the cinema if you want to organise your own. Toilets: One set, serving both the cinema and the cafe. Adequate and clean. Staff: Young, friendly, English- and Hebrew-speaking. The new management of the cafe/bar seems keen to please. As is common here, a security man on the door checks bags as you go in. Projection: Smadar uses digital and 35mm, but increasingly the former, and has Dolby digital surround sound. Pros: No adverts! Open on Shabbat. And when I'm homesick, it makes me feel like I'm back at the Clapham Picturehouse. Cons: Just when you're completely immersed in a movie, the lights snap on for an intermission. Everyone checks their mobiles. Is this really necessary? Top tips: Book ahead on Shabbat. Parking nearby is difficult. Also, it's still a nice place to go for a drink if the movie doesn't appeal (or you've already seen it in the six weeks it's already been showing). Add your photos to the Cine-file Flickr group Post a photo of your local to our Flickr group. Here's a selection of the finest so far.