The scenario
Worthy of a Z series… The prologue seemed laudable, however. In this gloomy period of confinement for cinemas, the state has released a fund of 50 million euros intended to absorb part of the operating losses of cinemas. This scenario, full of good intentions, however, has an unexpected twist. And not very egalitarian: the big losers in history, the 386 establishments managed by municipal government, out of the 2045 cinemas in the country, are excluded from the system.
This difference in treatment resonates as a first in the long history of the Center national du cinema (CNC). A precedent which can be explained by the willingness of the State to preserve, as a matter of urgency, private or associative cinemas facing a risk of cessation of activity. A danger which would therefore not weigh on theaters dependent on local authorities such as La Scala, run by the town hall of Thionville. Does not the conclusion seem a bit hasty?
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Criticism
“Obviously, at the time, we can wonder about this aid which is directed towards private actors and less towards communities. But to be honest, I can’t throw stones at the government. This sidelining of La Scala does not shock Jacky Helfgott. The municipal assistant, devoted to the cultural policy of Thionville, takes this decision with philosophy. And pragmatism. “Private and associative structures do not have the volume of inertia of a community. If in accounting terms, the danger is the same for everyone, a local authority like ours will never file for bankruptcy. Even if the cinema is weaned from revenue, our employees will still be paid. For the self-employed, on the other hand, this sleep can prove to be catastrophic. The chosen one therefore makes good heart against bad luck.
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La Scala maintains contact with spectators and offers a game every day on its Facebook page.
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Happy end
“May the faithful of La Scala be reassured: we will manage to pass this milestone. The City will cover operating losses. “Jacky Helfgott estimates them at approximately € 55,000:” It’s a significant deficit, he admits. But we are not on the brink of disaster. Another reassuring fact: the big bad guy of this disaster film, the Covid-19, will not deteriorate the strong link forged by the municipality with its arthouse cinema. “It is a flagship of the city. If it still exists, it may also be because it is under municipal control. I have lots of projects for this cinema. “
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