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Bastia: Le Régent cinema, a century behind the spotlights

Inaugurated on 9 December 1922 in an age without television, this temple of popular entertainment, worn on the baptismal font in the silent film era, has become a true institution of Bastian life over the decades. Corse-Matin has rewound the history of this emblematic place

At 5 Ter de la rue Cesare-Campinchi, the showcase has maintained the characteristics of the architecture of the early 20th century. An ocher “art deco” facade, typical of the post-war artistic movement, which still reflects the retro atmosphere of this temple of popular leisure. The reflection of a time that those under a hundred years old cannot know.

The Regent, every Bastiais one day entered his dark rooms. Every child in the city – and beyond – remembers an anecdote, the memory of his first Disney films. Exactly a century ago, on December 9, 1922, this small institution opened its doors in this street that many still know as that of the opera. »

That day, on the screens of its single balcony hall with 880 packed seats, spectators discover one of the vaudevilles of the time: Seraph or bare legs. A 34-minute popular comedy shot under the direction of Louis Feuillade, the famous director of Phantoms. An emblematic short film of these early films, much of which was lost in the technological and artistic revolution that was the sound film.

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« From silent cinema to digital projection, Le Régent spanned the first century of cinemaunderlines Daniel Benedittini, who has managed it since 2009. It was the first cinema built in Corsica and the first to have a sound system, at the forefront of all technical developments. »

When it opened its doors on this shopping street, on the initiative of the Amoni, Colombani and Moretti families, Le Régent was not alone in this niche. Just opposite, rue Salvatore-Viale, the Femina cinema-theatre, inaugurated in 1913, offers screenings in its hall with around one hundred seats. But the newcomer captures all the light: its stage and its orchestra pit allow it to program, in addition to the films projected on the screen, performances and shows that attract the whole of Bastia.

Bernard Reboulleau did not experience this period that preceded the Second World War, but he knows its smallest details for having presided over the destinies of the Regent for four decades. He was not yet thirty when he learned, in 1966, that the cinematographer intended to retire. With his father, a distributor of the Gaumont company, this Capcorsin, originally from Pinu, is a candidate to take over control. “When we took over, the premises were dilapidated and, to tell the truth, a bit abandoned, he remembers. The work had to be done to continue under proper conditions. »

After a short break, Le Régent reopened on 5 May 1967 with, on the bill, Professionals, feature film shot with Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, Jack Palance and Lee Marvin. Bernard Reboulleau even remembered the prices of the time: 1.20 francs per seat and two francs for the balcony.

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At the end of the 60s, the new manager had one ambition: to contribute to the cultural development of Bastia. In this city which experienced the apogee of “bel canto”, before the municipal theater was bombed during the war of 39-45, Le Régent is betting on a reunion with the opera. Under pressure from a select few and a music-loving population, the owner of the place planned, in the summer of 1968, a show of Tosca by Puccini with an ensemble of your choice: the tenor of the Paris Opéra, Maurice Maiewski accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the ORTF, conducted by Jean-Louis Joubert. The show is not very successful, but the process is underway.

The owners in front of the cinema facade in the 1920s. - Dr. CM

The cinema has joined forces with the Maison de la culture de la Corse to host traveling events. Shows, music, theatre… Until the Municipal Theater reopened in 1981, the Regent served as a performance venuesays Bernard Reboulleau. At the time it was one of the few forms of entertainment: television channels were very few, video recorders did not yet exist… Cinema had a true cultural but also social role. »

Big screen stars, from Daniel Auteuil to Caterina Murino

It was also at this time that Le Régent took a step forward by significantly expanding its offer. In the 1970s, the large he hall gave way to three theatres, allowing more and more films to be shown. Including some “X” rated features for midnight showings…

This period is also one of the less fortunate anecdotes: in 1978, while the theater was in the midst of reconstruction work, a sixteen-ton crane installed on the staircase adjacent to the cinema collapsed on the roof of the building during the night, one evening libeccio. The accident caused no injuries but remains in the memory of the owner and the neighborhood… Without however affecting what will be the “golden age” of the Regent. Since the 1980s, supported by the festival of cinema and Mediterranean cultures, cinema has welcomed the big names of the big screen: Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Lanvin, Amos Gitaï, Daniel Prevost, Gad Elmaleh, François Berléand, Roger Hanin, Jean-Pierre Castaldi, Caterina Murino…

The 880-seat grand hall with balcony where generations of Bastiais have long been captivated.  - Dr. CM

In a century, many successful films have marked the history of 5 Ter rue César-Campinchi. But one feature film broke the attendance record – unequaled until now – in the history of cinema in Bastia: the Titanic. In the first quarter of 1998, no less than 34,000 spectators came to see the film. ” The turnout was such that it was necessary, during the first six weeks, to opt for simultaneous screenings in the two large halls.recalls Bernard Reboulleau. A father had even come to see me to ask if I was going to keep it on display for a long time. His two daughters had visited fourteen times and he was starting to strain his budget. So I gave him two invitations for a fifteenth session…”

To say that the Regent will have marked the imagination of many children of Bastia is an understatement. Before becoming its head, Daniel Benedittini was also one of its fervent spectators. These forties also lived there. He grew up above the cinema in his grandparents’ family flat, awakened by successes and the mood of the public. He hasn’t forgotten anything about those evenings spent with his family in front of the big screen, when he “went down” to the cinema in his pajamas after dinner. Never imagining that one day he would become the manager. It was the end of the 2000s. Claiming his rights to a well-deserved rest, after forty-two years in the spotlight, Bernard Reboulleau intends to give up. Potential buyers are showing up with the desire to turn the place into a fast food restaurant.

A sign of the patrimonial value of the Regent in the eyes of the inhabitants of Bastia, the Municipality of the time intervened and made it known whisper his opposition to the project. Daniel Benedittini then took advantage of a friendly proximity with the owner to seize the opportunity. This big-screen aficionado bought the cinema in 2009 after training in the art of projection.

“It was a real challengeHe explains. Le Régent is part of the city’s heritage and part of a history that goes beyond the mere setting of the cinema. It is as if you are in charge of a historical monument. »

Under his leadership, the establishment has changed face by adapting to the needs of modernity, induced by digital technology, without ever losing its soul. In November 2011, torrential rains flooded the cinema and led to its closure. The owners of the complex undertake a long cycle of procedures and appraisals to revive the Regent’s adventure. On October 5, 2015, after four years of legal battle and work, the cinema reopened its doors, completely renovated with a new concept. Due to lack of authorisations, the capacity is reduced to 300 seats with a multiplex. Attached to it is a children’s play area and a cozy café. The result of a will – and a need – to diversify activities in a context marked by the rise of streaming platforms. It is in this period of crisis for indoor cinema, accentuated by the Covid-19 epidemic, that Le Régent is preparing to celebrate its centenary (read elsewhere). In September, 7.38 million admissions were registered in France, a drop of 34% compared to September 2019. The lowest level since 1980 and since the beginning of the monthly cinema attendance statistics.

The rue César-Campinchi complex is no exception to this general trend, but the operator is optimistic at the dawn of the new century that is beginning. “We are somewhere in the middle, observed Daniele Benedettini. If we compare with 2019, the turnout is catastrophic, but it’s better than the previous two years. Movies as a family outing still work, no doubt because it’s one of the least expensive entertainments for a level of satisfaction that’s almost always there. Big productions have been delayed due to covid and should be out next year. 2023 promises to be a great cinematic year. »

It is to be hoped, at least, that the centenary will begin this new century in the spotlight.

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