The cinema industry is of course happy with the reopening on Thursday, but criticizes the fact that food and drinks are still not allowed to be sold. “The result is that the public just goes to the supermarket or the snack bar around the corner to stock up on products. That creates extra movements and we obviously don’t want that ”, says Gulian Nolthenius of the Dutch Association of Cinemas and Film Theaters (NVBF). “Quite understandable, because a snack and a drink are part of the movie experience.”
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In addition to the desire to reopen the drinks and popcorn counter, the NVBF is also committed to allowing more than 30 visitors per performance. Nolthenius: ,, And that should be possible, because people think cinemas are a very safe environment. The audience sits still, only looks in one direction, is – if all goes well – quiet and there is excellent ventilation. It is important to mention: there has not been a single corona infection in a cinema this year. ”
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The NVBF made an inventory of a large part of the Dutch movie theaters. This would show that most cinemas will last this year. “Mainly thanks to the financial support measures that are available. However, it is expected that theaters will collapse in 2021 if there is a temporary closure again or if the maximum of 30 visitors remains. That is not enough to be profitable. The previous number of 50 people per room was also insufficient. ”
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No crowd pleasers
According to Nolthenius, a number of tests into the safety of cinemas will be carried out by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in mid-January. He hopes that as a result of this, the possibilities can be expanded, such as admitting more visitors.
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Several new films will premiere from Thursday, but there are no real crowd-pleasers among them. As for blockbusters, a remake will take place next Thursday The Witches and mid-December is the long-awaited Dutch war epos The Battle of the Scheldt to see.
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