This has been stated in statements to Europa Press by the managers of some of these cinemas, who share a similar situation with respect to the economic closure of this year and who appeal to tranquility if citizens decide to come to see movies on the big screen, since they are spaces absolutely safe.
Miguel González, manager of Mk2 Cinesur Luz del Tajo in Toledo capital, has explained that thanks to some powerful premieres, December can be hopeful not to register economic losses, since the opening entails fixed expenses that are difficult to compensate with the restrictions of public.
“Our business is global and the governments do not understand that we need a national regulation to be all open, although we have restricted capacity, because if an autonomous community closes, it affects us all,” he said.
“We are going to greatly expand the schedules and the offer to try to win something,” said González, who has specified that in addition to the premiere films set for these dates, in Toledo theaters will add a cycle with mythical films and for all audiences, a Harry Potter series and two opera broadcasts -as is customary in this space-.
The initial idea is that the capital’s cinemas remain open every Christmas day until 9:30 p.m. and morning sessions will be incorporated, a planning always subject to sanitary restrictions.
REAL CITY
Carmen Romero, head of the Las Vías Leisure Park Cinemas in Ciudad Real, hopes that this December will serve to at least “cover some expenses” since losses, since the pandemic began, have been the predominant note.
“We are the great abandoned, they are being tough months, but we want to have hope in a month that is usually very strong,” said Romero, emphasizing that at 30 percent of the capacity, some rooms are left in “nothing”.
This restriction has also caused that on Mondays and Tuesdays – days of less public, but that were open “due to ethical commitment” – they close their doors for reasons of economic efficiency.
“We were open every day of the year, except Christmas Eve and Christmas, but now everything changes,” said the head of this cinema, who reiterates that, however, they will open the necessary days to take advantage of the pull of the Christmas period.
He has also pointed out that the facilities are safe – with high ceilings and renewed air filters – and that the safety distance is strictly kept, because nobody moves while he is enjoying the film.
CUENCA
In the capital of Cuenca, the manager of Odeón Cines in the El Mirador Shopping Center, Diego Fernández, explained that two dates are already being considered to reopen its eight theaters. Just this Friday the Ministry of Health lifted the level 3 measures, which entail the closure of these facilities.
Specifically, the reopening could be on Friday, December 11 or Friday, the 18th, dates that coincide with the most anticipated Christmas premieres. “These are the days that are being considered, but nothing is closed or decided yet, since it does not depend on us either,” explained Fernández.
In this way, the manager has indicated that throughout the next week they will hold a series of meetings to decide and plan when and how the cinemas will reopen, always respecting the measures of social distance with empty seats between spectators, tours marked by the common areas and the sale of seats by blocks.
OTHER CINÉFILAS OPTIONS
In Albacete, in addition to commercial movie theaters, there is also room for “different” titles such as those offered by the Municipal Film Library. Its director, Jesús Antonio López, points out that they have had a decrease in audience “as in all places” but the activity continues throughout the year, and new programming is expected in January.
“The public has varied a bit, fewer older people come and, on the other hand, the young public has increased,” said López.
In his opinion, the pandemic has affected its cinephile offer to a lesser extent because it has films already released, of a more classic cut at times and, therefore, there is no “that rush”. “The fundamental thing is to enjoy on the big screen and you have to come and see them, because the culture is safe,” he asserted.
In this line of offering different films, in Toledo, the Film and Word Festival (CiBRA) will do the same with those that were parked due to restrictions, in such a way that on December 9, 11, 15 and 16 there will be screenings with free admission in spaces such as the Teatro de Rojas and the Sala Thalía.
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