It can stay that way, ”says a delighted Tübingen cinema operator Martin Reichart. For the first time since the beginning of the so-called lockdown light in November, he was able to reopen his “Museum” cinema in Tübingen last week. The numbers were better than expected: with more than 600 visitors in the first two days, the performances were sold out – similar to the last weekend before the lockdown, which turned out to be the busiest weekend of the whole year. Sold out in this context means that around a third of the spaces may be occupied.
The “Atelier” and “Arsenal” cinemas of its local competitor Stefan Paul, whose cinemas have been constantly sold out for a week, fared similarly. “People are so longing that they are very happy to be able to go to the cinema again,” says Paul. Since he was not showing Hollywood blockbusters but art-house productions, he currently has more films on offer than he can show.
Not only because of this, Tübingen has developed into an oasis of cinema fun and culture in the past week. “We are also setting a cultural-political sign here, namely that the cinemas, which, like the organizers, were so far at the bottom of the list of importance, are still there and exist.” As managing director of Arsenal Distribution, Stefan Paul also brings films to cinemas nationwide .
This moderate opening strategy of the cultural sites is part of the “Tübingen model”, with which Mayor Boris Palmer goes his own way together with the doctor Lisa Federle who advises him and the University of Tübingen: Anyone who can present a daily negative test receives access with a day ticket.
The Tübingen authorities describe the whole thing as a success, even if the incidence numbers are increasing. On Friday it was announced that the Tübingen project would be extended until mid-April. Cinema fans have come to Tübingen from places up to 100 kilometers away in order to be able to visit a cinema again, says Paul. “There is a risk that Tübingen will be overrun.”
Since Thursday, Paul has been able to show a real German premiere at the Arsenal: “Der Rausch” by Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, in which Mats Mikkelsen plays the leading role. The film, which has already won the European Film Awards, is still in the Oscar race and for many the favorite for the Oscar abroad.
In order for marketing campaigns and nationwide new starts to be really worthwhile, the rental companies need even more reliability in the coming weeks and, above all, additional cities that are participating in similar model projects. The Saarland opening strategy is a positive signal here. The long-time Bavaria producer Uschi Reich, however, expressed concerns about the tests. You and many cinema operators fear that politicians will shift the responsibility for tests onto companies.
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