The Czech film Smečka lasted only four days in cinemas in the autumn. It premiered on Thursday in the fall, and the cinema closed after Sunday. Now he returns to the canvases. “We have to restart the whole campaign, which was, it is problematic. Of course, it also has financial consequences, but now we are working on a restart and we hope that the audience will come, “said the film’s producer Jan Froněk.
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At the same time, however, he points out that the opening of multiplex cinemas is crucial for the film to start making money from the hockey environment. “It simply came to our notice then. Single-screen cinemas are very important and we are very happy that it has opened now, however, multiplex cinemas will sell the most tickets, “he explained. But the multiplexes remain closed.
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Froněk does not understand the decision, but the multiplexes explain it in a straight line. Due to the ban on the sale of food and drink, it is financially disadvantageous for them.
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“Until the government allows the sale of snacks, we will not open. All multiplex cinemas agreed on that. The reason is financial, because last year we tried that when it opens without refreshments, the visit is so weak that it doesn’t make sense. The costs of operating such a cinema are higher than when we are closed, so it is absolutely unprofitable and it will not pay off for us, “explained Miroslav Romančuk, Operations and Technical Director of CineStar, which operates 13 multiplex cinemas in the Czech Republic.
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Just to give you an idea: The average ticket price for a 2D film in a multiplex cinema costs around 210 crowns, viewers usually pay thirty crowns more for a 3D film. The price of snacks is often higher than how much people pay for a ticket. For example, a large menu consisting of a sweetened drink and popcorn costs about 215 crowns.
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What applies in cinemas from Monday?
– Entry with a maximum of one week old PCR test, a three day old antigen test with a negative result or with a vaccination certificate or a confirmation of covid-19 a maximum of three months ago.
– Prohibition of food and beverage consumption.
– Occupancy of the hall only 50% of the total capacity, within a maximum of 500 people.
– Mandatory respirator.
– At least one seat between the spectators, with the exception of members of one household.
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The same number of multiplex cinemas as CineStar is also operated by the Cinema City network. However, its management declined to comment on the issues of the List of Current Situation Reports. In addition to these large networks, there are Premiere Cinemas multiplexes in the Czech Republic, as well as the Slovak Cinemax network, which opened a multiplex cinema in Olomouc last year. There are a total of 30 multiplex cinemas in the Czech Republic.
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However, many smaller cinemas began screening on Mondays, some even in the afternoon. One of them was, for example, the Prague art cinema Světozor. “It was a simple decision and a great joy that we can finally start,” said cinema director Prokop Jeníček. Svetozor has three halls, the largest of which can be in accordance with the restrictions of a maximum of 178 people.
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According to Jeníček, the interest of spectators in visiting the cinema is noticeable after the reopening. “It has been confirmed to us that there are enough people who are already looking forward to the cinema and need to see movies on the big screen. So the interest is there, the tickets are being sold and we are happy about that, “he said. For example, the Svetozor cinema has the Danish drama Chlast, the comedy Smolný pich or Stupid Porn or The Charlatan.
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Some cinemas do not control the audience, others do
At the beginning of the week, the Brno Cinema Art also opened. “We are registering a great interest of people,” said cinema manager Milan Šimánek, adding that one Monday’s screening was already sold out in advance. According to Šimánek, it was not difficult to prepare the operation of the cinema to comply with government regulations. But he encounters another problem. “The most difficult thing is to interpret how we should or should not control the audience, that is actually the only snag,” he said.
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It is the control of a negative test or confirmation of vaccination or illness that arouses passion again. The situation is reminiscent of two weeks ago, when it was not clear whether restaurant staff had to check in guests in the gardens.
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An extraordinary measure of the Ministry of Health states that all persons will prove themselves with a negative test or confirmation of illness or vaccination. However, it is not stated to whom it must be proved. “The government has not sent any methodology, what is in the emergency measure applies, but it is again against the law. We leave it to the cinemas, we are not the ones who are entitled to give an explanation, “said the chairman of the Association of Cinema Operators, Martin Pošta. The Ministry of Health has not yet answered the question List of Reports.
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The approach of individual cinemas thus differs. For example, at the Scala University Cinema in Brno, employees will control people. “As part of our own initiative, we will ask the audience to present it to us. The point is to keep the cinema safe, “said cinema director Radek Pernica.
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He chooses a different approach at the Bio Oko cinema in Prague. “We’re going to ask those people if they have one of the three things they need, but we don’t think we can demand it from them. In addition, it can be quite delaying, “explained the director of the cinema, David Beránek. In some cinemas, people will only be informed about this obligation, but no one will control them.
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The cinema government closed last year in mid-October. Their owners could use the state compensation program Antivirus for employee salaries and apply for a one-time contribution in the COVID – Culture program. Support programs were also announced by the State Fund for Cinematography and the European network Europa Cinemas.
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