Status: 05.03.2021 02:50 a.m.
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In New York, cinemas are allowed to reopen under strict conditions. The gastronomy is also opening its doors again. But there is also criticism of the easing in the US metropolis.
From Antje Passenheim,
ARD-Studio New York
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The vacuum cleaner rushes through nomadic land. The art house cinema “Syndicated” in Brooklyn is warming up. Golden Globe star “Nomadland” is said to be one of the first films to be shown in front of an audience since it was closed a year ago. There is still a lot to do beforehand. Changing the air filter, moving chairs, instructing staff.
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Antje Passenheim
ARD-Studio New York
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The list of requirements is long. Cinema boss Tim Chang has also calculated whether it’s worth it: “Normally there is room for 60 people in this room. Now it can only be 15. And the seats have to be far apart.”
Big rush
Only a quarter of the visitors per hall – there can be a maximum of 50. The run for the seats is great, says Chang.
People are dying to get back to the cinema. We have only been offering tickets for one day and are already fully booked by the end of next week.
The “Syndicated” is one of around 300 cinemas in New York State that are worried about surviving the pandemic. Like many other independent film palaces, it has been able to stay afloat through streaming and outdoor shows.
We painted an outer wall white, set up an open tent, set up tables and chairs a sufficient distance away, and showed films for free.
Don’t be afraid of contagion
That was a consolation, but not a substitute for real cinema fans like Colin. “I missed the cinema. I’ll go in right now. Heard they are showing a new Pixar movie too.”
Empty halls, that means: more space to stretch out your legs, says Harris, too, who is looking forward to “Nomadland”. He is not afraid of being infected with Covid: “With distance and masks – that sounds good. There is so much space and air circulation.”
There is not much choice. Covid has also paralyzed Hollywood. Many film releases have been postponed. Many cinema owners are therefore still waiting. “First we have to see what is safe enough for our employees and customers and what is feasible” – explains the popular arthouse cinema “Metrograph” in Manhattan. Many New Yorkers also criticize Governor Andrew Cuomo’s easing offensive. He wants to save the economy in order to score politically.
Indoor catering is also allowed again
In Peter Luger’s fine steakhouse, however, the mood is good. Guests pose with Audrey Hepburn, sip a cocktail with Mad Man John Hamm. The hip wax figures from Madame Tussaud’s are borrowed guests of honor. So that it doesn’t seem so lonely in the empty spaces, says the boss. “Otherwise it could look a little empty. Our friends here fill the whole thing with life.”
35 percent of the guests are now allowed to serve the restaurants inside again. High time, says the head of the catering association, Andrew Rigie: “It’s a tough phase for the restaurants. The owners are trying to save them and the jobs. The employees also have to pay their rents.”
Thousands of restaurants and bars don’t open again
Many of the 25,000 or so New York restaurants did not survive Corona.
We have lost thousands of restaurants and bars over the past year. And 140,000 jobs attached to them.
The industry needs normal visitor numbers again very quickly. Everyone is counting on the vaccination campaigns, says Rigie. Only around 13 percent of the eight million New Yorkers are still vaccinated. The number of infections is still high. But Cuomo insists: the trend is positive. He has already started further openings. Sports arenas, amusement parks and amusement arcades. And the first concerts are announced for spring. Not only cinema fans hope for a happy ending.
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