Jake and Elwood faced a divine mission in the movie “Blues Brothers” to save the orphanage they grew up in from ruin. In the real world, Howard Simon is passionate about cinema and this Friday in New York he continued his film mission.
It goes wherever theaters reopen in this time of health crisis. “The pandemic has not stopped me,” he says. So he has been getting in the car and has traveled to Connecticut, New Jersey or Long Island, as restrictions were lifted, to enjoy his hobby. This Friday he is at the AMC around Lincoln Center, on the Upper West Side, which reopen after a year (less a week) of mandatory closure due to confinement. “I’m here for solidarity,” he says behind a mask of luminous red lips.
New York, perhaps the most filmic city on the planet, has faded to black for 357 days. It is one of the last places in the United States where this decision to reopen has been made and with limitations. Only 25% of the capacity can be sold or a maximum of 50 people.
While the theatrical and musical shows are still closed, the return of cinema has been seen in the metropolis of skyscrapers as the beginning of a new normal, the return of culture, one of the hallmarks that has given the global fame to the Big Apple.
Despite these restrictions, Charles, who walks past the AMC façade on Broadway, believes that it is still premature to take this step forward. “I am not prepared,” he adds, “the vaccination has to be extended further.”
New York, perhaps the most filmic city on the planet, has faded to black for 357 days
Once inside, it is discovered that for Howard Simon this is a passion and a way of making a living: he works in a cinema in Queens, one of the many that this March 5 still have not lifted the blind. Yours won’t do it until next month.
“Many rooms are not prepared, they have to make reforms, especially for ventilation, and they will return little by little and others will not return,” he predicts. Most of those that have recovered activity are located in Manhattan and some parts of Brooklyn.
“This is a very different experience,” says Simon. A smile escapes him when he talks about the “masked men” not on the screen, but in the stalls. “The heroes are us, the spectators,” he jokes.
Signs that remind the client that they must wear a mask inside the facilities
In this reopening, after a long hangover, the illusion of seeing movies again in their natural habitat and caution are combined. “I feel optimistic to be able to sit back in an armchair, I want to eat fresh popcorn, but I think we must be careful”, remarks Joe Urban, who along with his partner, Emily Isherwood are preparing to see ‘Raya and the last dragon ‘.
As soon as they enter the building, Joe and Emily reach for the pot with the disinfectant towels. “We cannot lower our guard, we must wash our hands, wear a mask, keep our distance, this is not over,” he insists.
“It was hard because we are movie fans, we came three times a week and today we have tickets to two movies,” says Joe. “We have consumed a lot of Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Amaron, but it is not the same, this is different despite the circumstances,” he continues.
It is more than evident that while the cinemas were heading for ruin, streaming services have been lined up.
We have consumed a lot of Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Amaron, but it is not the same, this is different despite the circumstances “
Without a mask there is no access. That is clear. It is remembered every moment. And in case of eating, it is advisable to lower the mask and immediately place it in its operative position. “I feel safe, I see that people wear the mask and keep their distance,” says Stephanie, expressing herself with satisfaction. He promised his daughter that he would take her to the movies for her birthday and it coincides that she was born on March 5. “I’m very happy,” the girl said for her gift.
“I have already been vaccinated and I did not want to miss this appointment, we have been locked up at home for almost a year,” says Roland, retired. Barbara, a teacher from East Manhattan, comes out to see “The Father.” She is also vaccinated, but has doubts. “You never know who he’s going to be in the room with. I have seen that everyone wore the mask and that there was distance, very little public, but I did not feel completely comfortable, “he acknowledges.
Hygiene protection systems against the spread of Covid-19 in the cinema’s fast food restaurant
In the lobby of these thirteen screens, there is not a single ticket seller. Everything is via vending machine. There is only Robert, in case there is a problem and to clean the surfaces of the machines after the users. “The reopening of the business benefits me, because I have a job, but I think it is a bit early, there are still many infections,” replies the employee, a young man.
Account that the afternoon sessions have had little audience. No room has been filled despite limitations. And, with the restrictions, the “everything sold” only hangs in “The protector”, session at 7 pm.
At some point it seems that there are more journalists and cameras for the news than moviegoers with withdrawal syndrome. There are no queues. “You’re making me nervous, don’t you know what six feet away is? A grumpy man reproaches an informant who tries to ask him a question. By boat soon, the reporter seems to keep those almost two statutory meters.
From his professional experience and from reopening cinemas, Simon remarks that “this is better than nothing.” However, he reflects that the limitations can be unsustainable for many businesses if the audience does not increase.
Although the influx is not comparable, not even close, to a Friday afternoon-night of prepandemic, Simo sends a message of optimism: “In these months I have gone to cinemas where there were only two spectators, me and another.”
–
