Neon Dream, Concrete Lies — Photography by Jan Dreyer

The photo series “Neon Dreams, Concrete Lies” explores the neighbourhoods surrounding some of London’s most iconic picturehouse venues—Hackney, Piccadilly Circus, and Brixton. Through vivid contrasts of glowing neon and stark urban textures, the series reflects the duality of the city itself.

It captures London as a place where people arrive chasing dreams illuminated by bright lights and cinematic promise, only to confront the harsher, unfiltered reality beneath the surface. Behind the allure lies a city that demands resilience, persistence, and hard work—where ambition meets struggle and aspiration walks hand in hand with the grit of everyday life.

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A red double-decker bus with large windows. The word 'CINEMA' is displayed on the side window, and there is a street sign indicating Mare Street in the background.
View of a city street with a cinema building, reflecting the sky and surroundings in a puddle in the foreground, with a bicycle partially visible on the right, and traffic lights and pedestrians in the background.
A woman with a maroon coat and black dress standing on a train station platform near a railing, with a sign reading "Hackney Central" and an orange circle logo, under a clear sky with some clouds and a staircase overhead.
A red double-decker bus with passengers inside and people walking on a city street at night, with bright lights and reflections on wet pavement.
A chef in a white uniform and hat preparing food behind a glass window in a restaurant kitchen, with a woman sitting at a table in the foreground looking at her phone.
A woman in a black coat and scarf stands outside a cinema, looking in through the window. The window has red neon signs and a blackboard sign lists amenities like cinema, cafe bar, restaurant, and member's bar outside the establishment.
Nighttime view of a building with large windows spelling out "CINEMA" and a neon sign that says "CINEMA CAFE" inside. People are standing outside and inside, with reflections on the wet sidewalk.
Close-up view of neon lights reflecting on a shiny surface, creating a vibrant, glowing corridor with red and orange hues.
Neon sign for a cinema café on a building in an urban setting, illuminated at dusk.
This is a street view of the Regal Cinema building with a red neon sign that says 'RITZ' on top. The building has a classic design with a marquee announcing events, including a film quiz and horror movies. There are people walking and sitting in fron
Inside a grocery store with bright overhead lighting, hanging red lanterns, and various food items on shelves and stacked in boxes, including fresh produce.
Two cats sitting on a brick sidewalk in front of store supplies, including brooms and plastic cups, with one cat sniffing the other's nose inside a store or storage area.