Opening of Berlin’s open-air cinemas
–
“I would have gone to every movie that runs”
05/24/21 | 5:56 pm
Finally going to the cinema again – at least in the open air. Berlin’s open-air cinemas opened again last week. Lisa Spöri saw one of the first performances on the weekend of Pentecost and found satisfied viewers.
–
It is already getting dark when the rest of the audience slowly get to their seats on Saturday evening. On the marked walkways, one or the other quickly scurries to the kiosk to stock up on popcorn and drinks before they start. The rest of them have already made themselves comfortable on the benches with blankets and snacks – there are even tables in the first rows.
–
Longing for the cinema experience
Since May 21st, Berlin’s open-air cinemas have been allowed to reopen, including the open-air cinema in Volkspark Friedrichshain. You can see “And tomorrow the whole world” by Julia von Heinz. The mood is already good before the film begins. Finally a cinema again and in a special place: in the middle of the green Volkspark. The guests spread out on the tiers of the amphitheater with sufficient distance from one another.
The lanterns throw warm light between the rows and at some point the moon appears over us. You can tell the guests how happy they are about the opening. “It has actually been six months since I went to the cinema,” says one cinema-goer. The longing of the Berliners for the cinema experience was obviously great. “So big,” says another visitor, “that I would have simply gone to every film that is showing today.”
–
Distance despite sold out rows
The figures also confirm that there were no visits to the cinema. “We were sold out, and so are we today,” says Cosima Goerke from the Friedrichshain Open Air Cinema about the start of the season. The balance sheet is consistently positive. “The people are really up for it. A lot of people talk to us and say thank you and say that they are very happy, so I would say great.”
The Friedrichshain open-air cinema normally has a capacity for up to 2,000 people. “When it’s normal business here, people squeeze, too, sitting on the stairs,” says Goerke. And the sunbathing lawns are otherwise occupied with people and picnic baskets. But there is no noticeable crowd on this evening, because a maximum of 250 spectators are allowed according to the current infection control measures.
–
How cinema works this summer
Developing the hygiene concepts was time-consuming, says Goerke, but it works well. In order to comply with the protective measures, the area was specially redesigned so that a minimum distance of 1.50 meters is guaranteed between the rows of chairs, marked walkways ensure that you do not get in each other unnecessarily and a mask is of course mandatory if you are not in your seat sits.
The single, double or quadruple seats can only be booked online in advance. Anyone planning to go to the cinema with a household consisting of more than four people must book single or double seats. Cosima Goerke emphasizes that cinema-goers also adhere to it. “I also have the feeling this year is even better and better than last year, probably because it is also more routine.”
–
In order to comply with the protective measures, the walkways were marked on the site, for exampleAnd the weather?
The performances take place in all weathers. A refund of the tickets is not possible, but also not necessary. Most of the visitors come, at least on Saturday evening, well equipped: ponchos, umbrellas and even garbage bags are included – but luckily they are not used. And despite light rain and temperatures around 10 degrees, everyone held out until the end.
After such a long break from the cinema, Berliners are not put off by the bad weather.
–
Broadcast: Inforadio, May 25th, 2021, 6:55 a.m.
–
–
