GELNHAUSEN
Kult-Kino Gelnhausen: “We will remain as a cinema enthusiast”
Photo: Kino Gelnhausen“>
from HENDRIK.AUTH
Like all other similar institutions, the Heimatkino Gelnhausen is badly affected by the economic effects of the corona pandemic. The cult cinema will remain closed at least until February 14th and possibly for some time after that. But cultural sites in particular are dependent on public traffic with their range of offers. Cinema operator Georg Schneevogl is optimistic despite gloomy future prospects.
The cinema in the heart of Gelnhausen, which opened in 1924, is clinking with persistent emptiness. Both the “Pali” room with 318 seats and the bar of the same name in the cinema building have been deserted for several months. Schneevogl reports that the first forced closings in March were initially relaxed. After all, one came “from the fat months of September to February”.
When the cinemas were allowed to reopen in the summer, the already low audience numbers were compounded by the difficulty of a very limited range of films. Schneevogl: “The industry has been hit by streaming services anyway. The postponement of numerous film starts and the ongoing forced closings will continue to hit us hard. Nevertheless, we can count ourselves lucky that we are a solid family business and that the state is helping us out with bridging aid.”
Customers support cinema
The family-run film theater also receives solidarity and support from long-term regular customers. “Our visitors helped us a lot with various specials. They were great either when selling cinema meals or buying cinema vouchers for Christmas,” says the cinema operator who promises cinema fans in Gelnhausen to get through the tough time until the cinema industry restarted.
The lockdown could drag on in view of the current developments. That also means: The cinema in Gelnhausen will have to wait a little longer until it will, for example, present the latest agent thriller “James Bond 007: No Time to Die” in the “Pali” room at home. Georg Schneevogl is, however, aware: “We will continue to exist as lovers of cinema.” +++
–
