[ad_1]
By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19 (Reuters) – AMC Theaters and other movie chains will be turning on spotlights in some major US cities this week, offering low-cost entry, discounted popcorn and new security measures to encourage the public to return to the cinema despite the pandemic.
Theaters will, however, remain closed in some of the larger movie markets, including Los Angeles and New York, where local officials say the risk of coronavirus remains too high to allow theaters to resume.
AMC, the world’s largest cinema chain, and others will open their doors in cities like Atlanta and Chicago on Thursday.
Cinemas around the world closed their doors five months ago, devastating the film industry and putting tens of thousands of people out of work. Many theaters in China and Europe reopened earlier this summer.
The big American chains promise guarantees to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the cinema. They include requiring moviegoers and employees to wear masks when not eating or drinking, additional disinfection of auditoriums, capping attendance at one-half or one-third of capacity, and leaving empty seats between groups.
“We’ve put a lot of effort, not only us (but) our competitors, to really create a safe environment,” Cineworld Managing Director Mooky Greidinger said in an interview.
“At the end of the day, it’s a much safer environment than any other place that’s already open,” he added. “You sit in the same seat for two hours. Everyone is facing the screen, so no one is looking at each other.”
Cineworld operates Regal Cinemas, which will reopen on Friday.
Along with health precautions, theaters have lowered prices.
AMC is offering 15-cent entrees on reopening day at more than 100 locations and will cut back on popcorn, other snacks and drinks.
Regal and AMC offer $ 5 screenings of past hits such as “Back to the Future” and “Black Panther”.
There will initially be few new films. Russell Crowe’s thriller “Unhinged” is one of the few new releases this weekend.
Operators plan to open more theaters in time for the September 3 US debut of director Christopher Nolan’s thriller “Tenet,” which they hope will revive big-budget films.
It is not known how many people will visit cinemas during the pandemic. The participation rate will likely be influenced by word of mouth.
on how people feel safe in their local cinema, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
“It will be important from the start that this is a positive experience,” he said.
In New York City, Governor Andrew Cuomo this week said opening theaters was not worth the risk.
“I’m sure there’s a whole bunch of people out there saying, ‘I can’t live without going to the movies,’” Cuomo said at a press briefing. But he said he thought “movie theaters aren’t that high on the essentials list.” (Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Additional reporting by Alicia Powell in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
[ad_2]
Source link