How do I get out of the “streaming series addiction”, how do I find my way back from the popcorn-stained sofa to the comfortable cinema seat in front of the big screen, where my cinematic object of desire actually belongs? And that I can then experience it in the company of like-minded people! Given that every resident in this country only goes to the cinema 1.13 times a year, it seems time to think about it. At least that’s what seven cinema owners from Germany thought – and joined forces during last year’s Berlinale to remedy this situation. Among them were Jürgen Lütz, the operator of the Cologne arthouse cinema “Odeon”.
Now it started on August 15th in five cities – Berlin, Freiburg, Hamburg, Cologne and Nuremberg. In Cologne, Lütz managed to get all seven arthouse cinemas – Odeon, Filmlichtspiele Kalk, Off-Broadway, Filmpalette, Weisshaus, Cinenova and the Filmhaus – on board. From October, you can then visit the affiliated cinemas nationwide with the “Cineville” cinema subscription. Unlimited cinema fun costs from 20 euros a month: simply show the “Cineville Card” at the box office – and you get a free ticket! And not just for regular film screenings, but also for special events and festivals, such as the French and Iranian Film Days, which take place in Cologne, among others.
“Cineville”: Model comes from the Netherlands
The initiators copied the idea from our Dutch neighbors. The “Cineville Card” has been a success story there for five years and has already attracted 90,000 subscribers. Today, over 70 cinemas in 40 cities are part of the network, which primarily appeals to young moviegoers between the ages of 20 and 35, but is also increasingly used by people over the age of 50. Belgium and Austria have now followed suit and are on the road to success.
With the “Cineville Card” as a symbol of recognition, says Lütz, a real community of film enthusiasts has developed in the Netherlands: “Oh, you’re part of ‘Cineville’ too?!” is something you often hear at the box office. “Cineville” has demonstrably increased cinema attendance in the Netherlands: subscribers visit a cinema on average 2.5 times a month. This club character is also being used here: “We want to keep our subscribers well informed through our homepage, newsletters and social media.” There is also a cooperation with the nationwide print magazine “Indiekino”, which is already available free of charge in cinemas. Jürgen Lütz sees another advantage for the “Cineville” community: you can watch more films for less money than before, which of course also benefits the diversity of the program. And the films can stay on the screen longer, rather than disappearing from the cinemas after just a week!”
More information is available at www.cineville.de.
