The cinema chains hard pressed: "We can manage two months"

Last week, bio visits decreased by almost 96 percent in Sweden, compared with the corresponding week a year ago. Of course, this is linked to the fact that the largest chain, Filmstaden, has closed due to fear of spreading infection and that no major films are being released.

Some other cinema chains and independent cinemas are still open, but it is on a "symbolic level", explains Katrina Mathsson at Folkets bio, which has cinemas in 19 locations.

People's cinema, like the major commercial actors, has premiered films that they cannot afford to fail, such as Jessica Hausner's Little Joe, who competed for a Gold Palm in Cannes last year.

- We would never get that money back on vod (video on demand, red note). We have to wait until it is possible to put it back in the cinema again, says Katrina Mathsson.

She hopes very much for the support of SEK 500 million to be distributed in the cultural area.

- For People's bio distribution, we can manage for a maximum of two months - March and April - then it is over if we do not receive support, she says.

At the Bio Capitol in Stockholm, the audience has bought gift cards and take-away food to support during the crisis weeks.

- People have been very nice, but that's not enough. This is 100 percent serious and we have notified and reviewed layoffs in the staff, says CEO Jakob Abrahamsson.

He is worried that the 500 million promised by Minister of Culture Amanda Lind in a crisis package will not go very far and that it will be too slow.

- Two months, we can squeeze in even if the money runs between our fingers. But if the support comes too marginally, it will be difficult. And unless the business gets off to a good start in the fall, then all cinemas will probably hang on the rope.

The film landscape has already changed on one important point; several bioactive big films are released online. Katrina Mathson doesn't think people will stop going to the cinema after the corona crisis.

- I think people will long to go to the cinema again, says Katrina Mathsson.

Jakob Abrahamsson agrees but thinks it will become more common with the release of new films, even bigger titles.

- The cinemas that have had the main idea are to be first with the movies, it gets tough when that incentive disappears.