“The final formalities still have to be clarified, then we can start. We are on the right track, ”said the future theater director of the Brakeler Kino, Holger Oeverdieck from Hamburg, on Wednesday upon request. The location on the outskirts of Brakel in the middle of beautiful nature is ideal. “The cinema is very easy to reach. There is also a parking lot right on the doorstep, ”says the Hanseatic League, praising the infrastructure on the Nethe.
The 59-year-old is a trained cinema technician and was most recently a cinema builder. “I traveled all over Germany. Cinemas are my life. ”After a creative break, he now wants to start something new
Wirths concentrate on Bad Driburg
Thomas Wirth, on the other hand, wants to concentrate on the cinema in Bad Driburg with his wife Elina. “Now I have power again after the corona-related cinema closings, which are now taking almost a year. We have been running the cinema in the spa town since 1995 and the one in Brakel since 2004 ”, says Wirth. The withdrawal in Brakel has nothing to do with economic considerations due to the pandemic. When looking back, the owner notices: “The former film house of the Belgian armed forces in Brakel was pretty dilapidated almost two decades ago after about five years of inactivity.” The Wirths restored the dilapidated building. Wirth had already taken over the cinema in Bad Driburg as a tenant eight years earlier and has been striving for an “appropriate cinema situation” in the Höxter district for more than 25 years.
Changed demands
The cinema couple had always met the changing demands of their customers. The Wirths stand for digitization. “We receive the films currently at the cinema release and can offer a much larger variety of films,” says the entrepreneur, placing great emphasis on being up-to-date.
The new operator in turn wants to change a few things in Brakel: “In a small town, operating the cinema is a challenge, but also a great opportunity. In these fast-moving times, it is no longer enough to let visitors in, tear off the cards and offer them a seat. Cinema has changed very quickly. ”
Holger Oeverdieck also wants to use six unused space for an apartment in the building in Lütkerlinde. “But let’s not anticipate anything. First of all, the contract has to be signed. ”The Wirths would have had a very good concept. “We will be competitors, but the appreciation is great”, the man from Hamburg is convinced and adds: “I am really looking forward to the new task. Cinema has a future in Brakel. ”
A comment by Jürgen Drüke
The days of the big cinema were long gone before the pandemic. The fight and the solicitation of the operators for visitors and regular customers has been booming for almost two decades. Nevertheless, cinema is and will remain a passion for her. That is why the enthusiasts continue and bet on better times despite Netflix.
In the rural area of the Höxter district, the few “film houses” offer a good and up-to-date range. The end of the cinema in Lauenförde and the cinema complex in the district town of Höxter meant major cuts years ago. It is therefore good news that the cinema will remain in Brakel. In difficult times, the course is set for better times. The new operator is full of energy and has big plans.
The struggle of the domestic cinema operators during and after the pandemic is symbolic of the great challenges. Last Sunday, the signs in the Warburg, Borgentreich, Bad Driburg and Brakel cinemas were all red. With the nationwide campaign “The cinema shines for you”, the operators across the country had the spotlight on themselves and, in the second lockdown, on their difficult situation made aware. The call and hope for openings are great and justified.
The cinema reality remains irrevocable: The changed leisure behavior, social media, private television, higher rents and Netflix make it difficult for cinemas. From the cinema like 20 years ago, often only popcorn will remain. There will still be a cinema in Brakel. Hopefully this is the stuff of a good movie. The domestic cinema world and we all deserve it.
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