Already out of breath, the entertainment world now feels on the verge of asphyxiation.
By requiring the French to return to their homes at 9 p.m. at the latest on Saturday and for at least a month, Emmanuel Macron has dealt a new coup de grace to the culture sector, already very weakened by the health crisis.
"We fought for weeks to adapt to health requirements by working jointly with doctors and the Ministry of Culture. And in a few minutes, all our work fell apart, despairs Philippe Gautier, former musician and secretary general of the National Union of Musicians (SNAM CGT), in an interview with France 24. We are encouraged to resume our activities and then we are prevented from working again. This situation is very unfair. "
A decision that the theater managers consider all the more unfair since no cluster has ever been identified by the health authorities since the resumption of their activities.
"Is there a single theater room declared a source of infection? The battle is tough, but what is the point of bombing places where the enemy is absent?", Moreover indignant the director of the Rond-Point, Jean-Michel Ribes, on Twitter.
A curfew will be established from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in health emergency zones.
pic.twitter.com/hDrckFCt3B
- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 14, 2020
Arrangements under debate
Anxious to provide support for culture, some elected officials have promised to mobilize, like Anne Hidalgo.
The socialist mayor of Paris has thus promised to initiate discussions with the Minister of Culture, Roselyne Bachelot, to allow “live shows” to be held and the public to circulate despite the curfew.
But she also announced that she would accompany "government decisions because we must not add the crisis to the crisis, and chaos", leaving little hope to cultural professionals on its determination.
I share the feeling of desolation of all the actors of the performing arts and the cinema.
With them, I strengthen the devices to protect the world of culture and overcome the ordeal.
➡️ https://t.co/rh9FLBI8br
- Roselyne Bachelot (@R_Bachelot) October 15, 2020
>> To read: the day after the announcements of curfews, their implementation raises questions
Alerted by some of his relatives, the head of state still hinted that he was not ruling out some relaxations.
"We have to study it," Prime Minister Jean Castex replied at his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
"The decision is under debate," confirms those around him.
Discussions were also started on Thursday between entertainment professionals and the Minister of Culture.
"We pleaded the urgency of the situation, underlined to France 24 Philippe Chapelon, general delegate of the National Union of the entrepreneurs of the spectacle (SNES) and present at the ministerial meeting. We asked for an extension of the compensatory aid already paid. in the context of losses linked to Covid-19. It is financial assistance which amounts to several tens of millions of euros. But it is essential to save the sector from bankruptcy and restore the confidence of employees, entrepreneurs and that of the public. "
Curfew: the executive ready to make arrangements for cinemas and theaters 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 #LeSpectacleContinue # theater #jesoutienslaculture #exceptionculturelle https://t.co/9ePROOgUE2
- Mr. Piolat Soleymat (@mpiolatsoleymat) October 15, 2020
Show tickets for attestations
In addition to the financial aspect, the professionals claim that the show ticket serves as a pass for the sessions that end a little before 9 p.m.
"It would be a measure intended to reassure so that everyone can return to their home calmly without having the anxiety of taking a fine, continues Philippe Chapelon. It would also be fairer for those who live far from the centers. cities ".
The minister, who said she understood the "shock of professionals" at the announcement of the curfew, promised to provide answers to the unions next week.
What if we allowed access to the shows in the evening?
As proof, we would produce our cinema / theater ticket, and we could go home directly afterwards?
How would culture be a less important sector than the others?
#Curfew
- Marie Sauvion (@sauvionmarie) October 14, 2020
In the meantime, on the ground, we are reorganizing ourselves.
Many auditorium managers had no choice but to review the programming, as those responsible for the Théâtre de Chaillot, the Rond-Point, the Opéra-Comique and the Philharmonie have already done. of Paris and several theaters including the Rond-Point.
By bringing the programming times up to 5 p.m., 6 p.m. or even 7 p.m., adding sessions on weekends and planning others early in the morning, theater owners are saving a few performances.
The hit play "Edmond", which has not stopped playing for four years, has thus gone from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palais Royal theater.
Mobilize all stakeholders
Arrangements that leave Philippe Gautier very skeptical about attendance.
"To get to these sessions, you have to be able to leave work at 5 p.m., but there are few people in the Paris region or in large cities who can afford to leave their work so early."
We make every effort to maintain the shows.
The performance of La Visite is brought forward to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday October 17 and those of Executor 14 to 6:30 p.m. from October 17 to 23.
We will give you more information as soon as possible!
#Show must go on
- RondPoint Theater (@RondPointParis) October 15, 2020
This is why certain theater directors such as Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, at the head of the Théâtre de la Ville, in Paris, and of the Festival d'Automne, propose to open negotiations with companies.
"We are going to discuss with union organizations so that employees can start earlier and postpone their break; we are going to ask companies to show solidarity and release employees going to the theater with the ticket as proof."
So many concrete solutions that give hope to professionals.
"We cannot let our profession disappear before our eyes. If we do not obtain certain flexibility from the government, we will mobilize," warns the unionist from the SNAM CGT.
A few hours after the presidential announcement, the #LeSpectacleContinue hastag initiated by actors from the world of culture flooded Twitter.
Proof that entertainment professionals have not taken their last breath.
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