In the cinema, distance and hygiene rules also applied before the lockdown.
Quelle: Christian Bark
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“Some of the cinemas could only be occupied with a quarter of their capacity,” reports Najden Terzijski. In order to keep the distance, squares and entire rows were left free and cordoned off. There was a separate entrance and exit, and visitors had to wear masks throughout the house, except for the squares.
The Astoria team got creative in summer 2020 and was able to offer open-air and drive-in cinema in the region with a large inflatable screen. Although the possibility had been there a little earlier, the Astoria had only reopened at the beginning of July and thus complied with a nationwide agreement of the cinemas.
“There’s no point if every federal state does its own thing,” explains Najden Terzijski. Such a patchwork quilt also makes no sense for the rental company. The consequence would be that hardly any new films could be shown.
In addition, until the second lockdown, many people didn’t even know that the cinema was open again. “That made the start particularly difficult,” said the cinema operator. In addition, because of the pandemic, visitors would not have dared to come to the cinema.
Cinemas are calling for a step-by-step plan to reopen
The Astoria team wants to show that Wittstock’s cinema is still there. That is why it takes part in the nationwide action day “Kino Lights” on Sunday. This makes it one of over 300 cinemas in Germany that want their houses to shine with special lighting.
The initiator is the AG Kino-Gilde. “Especially in a crisis like now, the cinemas can be low-risk places for people to meet and for everyday culture,” says AG chairman Christian Bräuer. The movie theaters wanted to make their contribution to overcoming the pandemic.
“Experiencing culture together without getting too close is such a contribution,” he emphasizes. It is now up to politics, together with the cultural sites, to set a sign of hope with a far-sighted opening strategy.
Sunday was deliberately chosen as the eve of the Berlinale, which takes place virtually for the professional world. The working group insists that cinemas get a reasonable place in a step-by-step plan as cultural institutions at the next federal-state conference.
The campaign is supported by # zurückinskino, an initiative by cinema operators to collect and adapt creative, digital and analog marketing ideas from cinemas for cinemas. The Astoria has already rolled out the red carpet. It starts at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Trailers for new films and short films should flicker across the cinema courtyard. “During this time, you can stock up on popcorn and nachos to take home in the cinema. So join in and set an example with us, ”invites Najden Terzijski.
By Christian Bark
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