France: cinemas organize “alternative” screenings in the face of their prolonged closure

Spectators take their seats in the Le Luxy cinema, respecting social distancing, during a screening in Ivry-sur-Seine, in the Paris region, on March 14, 2021. AFP - MARTIN BUREAU

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

French cinemas have been closed since October 29.

With no reopening date announced, angry industry professionals organized private screenings with audiences this weekend.

Made legal by a government decree, the initiative was taken by the Association of Independent Cinema for its distribution and by the National Group of Research Cinemas.

Publicity

Read more

With our special correspondent in Ivry-sur-Seine

,

Matthieu Bonhoure

About ten people wait in front of the entrance to the Le Luxy cinema.

The guests introduce themselves, cardboard in hand.

“ 

I rushed, because I am in need of cinema.

For me it's important, because I focus on the film, something I do less at home

: it's not the same,

 ”explains a spectator before giving her name to the reception and entering the hall.

Spectators take their seats to watch a documentary on feminism.

At the exit of the room, we guess the smiles behind the masks: " 

I felt really very moved and it is true that we very quickly forget this sharing of laughter, reactions, emotions

 ", sums up another spectator. .

Hélène Milano, co-president of the Association of independent cinema for its diffusion (ACID), one of the two associations behind this initiative, explains the approach: “ 

It is extremely unfair

: the whole sector has been extremely responsible, Health protocols were put in place right away and were followed all the time.

So there

is a major misunderstanding in the face of this

lasting

closure

.

 "

With hydro-alcoholic gel at the entrance, reduced public and one in two seats condemned, professionals in the sector say they are

ready to reopen

, with a new health protocol if necessary.

► To read also

: The occupants of the Théâtre de l'Odéon in Paris maintain the pressure to save culture

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Culture

  • France

  • Cinema

  • Theater

  • Coronavirus

On the same subject

Report

Occupants of the Théâtre de l'Odéon in Paris keep up the pressure to save culture

Report

Israel: cultural life resumes with outdoor concerts

European accents

Covid: will our mental health resist?