Despite the difficulties, the jobs or the price of energy, Jean-Sylvain Minsenn, director of independent cinema, remains optimistic.
“Il Semaforo is recovering, like all the rest of the operation, but a little better than the others”welcomes Jean-Sylvain Minsenn, the director of independent cinema. “Since September we have noticed a real increase in attendance and above all, the most important thing for us, the return of people who had season tickets and who hadn’t come for two years”, he continues. Between the beginning of the year and autumn, the drop in attendance exceeds 20% compared to 2019. The national average is close to 35%.
In recent weeks, sessions for “Simone, the journey of the century“, the golden palm”Without filter” or the Louis Garrel film “The innocent” they refueled again. “We were a bit surprised to say it was almost full, to be forced to open the second box… We had lost the habit”smiles Jean-Sylvain Minsenn.
The summer was also satisfying, and not just because of the heat wave. “It’s also a supply issue. A lot of Cannes films came out in the process, it’s a good lesson for distributors”according to Jean-Sylvain Minsenn, who wants to be optimistic about the future. “Attendance at discussion nights has increased again. Film and snack sessions for children are working well”he continues, tired of the anxiety-provoking talk. “You have only one life, you have to lift your head, look at the sky, go to the cinema or to the show”he exclaims
This is what schools do. In December, every morning, the cinema was filled with children. “It saved us when we reopened. The teachers were delighted to return with the children to the city. It was also a commitment on their part to reinvest in places of culture”.
The delicate question of the work of the future congress center remains, “a sacred thorn”. There have been talks with the municipality. Sophie Roulle, the cultural assistant, is following the dossier closely. “It is also essential for theaters and museums. The public in the center is not enough to bring places of culture to life, you have to open up to the outside but you have to be accessible”underlines Jean-Sylvain Minsenn, welcoming the fact that the new road signs indicate the direction of the traffic light.
Another big problem is rising energy prices. Electricity bill will triple in January. Management knows they are walking on eggshells, given the context. But the Semaforo will certainly have to raise its prices during the winter.
Despite everything, the dynamism remains. Young people have joined the team and have brought freshness, especially in terms of communication on social networks. The café is now open around the clock, offering a new catering offer. “We would like to open the place even more, with board games, newspapers”explains Jean-Sylvain Minsenn, who prefers ease of use to the “premium” formulas that some large networks wish to set up, but with prices that would exceed €20 per station.
