A century-old cinema in Vienna at the time of post-coronavirus sessions - France 24

Vienna (AFP)

The films on the sofa for weeks of confinement did not defeat the big screen and the public was ready to reopen one of the oldest cinemas in Vienna, one of the first in Austria to resume screenings.

Created in 1913, Admiral Kino seized the opportunity to welcome again, Friday evening, lovers of its old-fashioned charm, in its unique 80-seat hall, closed since mid-March.

While cinemas were not due to reopen until July 1 in Austria, the government caught operators by surprise by announcing that screenings could resume as early as May 29, up to a limit of 100 spectators.

The majority of cinemas preferred to wait in order to better prepare their return to school but for Michaela Englert, manager for twelve years of Admiral Kino, it was important to offer the experience of the big screen again.

"Watching films together, meeting friends, being in the dark in a closed room, making an appointment (...) is not replaceable by a tablet", wants to believe this passionate.

Masks for certain spectators, some seats left empty in the public: the distancing measures were respected in the small establishment, without spoiling the pleasure of reunion which begins with a glass of wine at the reception bar.

"It is very important for me that things return to normal, because I am a person who lives alone, very interested in culture (...) and having to stay at home has been very difficult," explained to AFPTV, Rotraud Turanitz, retired film buff and regular at the Admiral.

The weeks of closure have severely tested the cinema sector, which, all over Europe, is wondering about its future. In many countries the halls are still closed.

"We are not optimistic to the point of thinking that we will regain all of our turnover and that everything will be as before, on the contrary. But for us, it is still an important step", confides Michaela Englert.

She hopes that niche cinemas like hers, a historic room with arthouse programming, will keep their raison d'être but expects that the entire industry will be shaken for the long term.

Between the films released directly on the internet during confinement and online film festivals, "things have happened that no one had imagined" and which, she says, will "accelerate trends" already at work in this sector before the coronavirus crisis.

© 2020 AFP