The government has allowed the resumption of operations, but the cinemas will not open their doors for a few weeks

The government has allowed the services of cinemas and movie clubs to be renewed as of April 19, and at the same time has indicated that it will not occupy more than 30 percent of the cinema. The seats can accommodate up to 150 spectators.

“We would gladly accept, but we cannot go to the warehouse like that with beets or dill to buy movies. The good news is that they finally listen to us and that we can get to work, and prepare, create a program, start our own factories, get back to work, it will take a couple more weeks. There is a whole chain involved in film licensing and motion picture operations. In a few weeks, it will be a fantastic space velocity here, ”says Gintaras Plytnikas, director of the Lithuanian film company Forum Cinemas.

Raimundas Bilinskas, Marketing Director at Multikino, talks about opening in late April or early May.

“It just came to our notice then. We, when we discussed the vacancies with the Ministry of Health, we said that if you and we were free to work tomorrow, we would still start our work in two or three weeks. Because cinemas do not emerge as one. simple store. We also have to prepare ourselves, put together a repertoire, agree with the distributors. It is a very long process and in a few days or a weekend these things do not happen “, says R. Bilinskas.

Calculate if it will be worth it

Representatives of both cinemas indicated that on Friday afternoon there was still no official information on the conditions under which the business was released, an official government resolution or other legal act had not yet been transposed into the legal system.

They feared that there would be no more restrictions than the 30% already established. seating.

A spokesperson for Multikino explained that only after receiving the exact conditions could theaters be able to assess how they might function.

“We can sell, but here again, and what are the terms with the owners, will they want the full amount of the rent when we open? Many discussions and many questions that we still cannot answer. (…) We have to evaluate everything if we are really going to go to work under the established conditions ”, says R. Bilinskas.

He explains that so far the cinemas have not received aid to cover rental costs.

“It just came to our attention then. Until the new year, we had some of those subsidies for the rental of premises, and now there are none. We have been quarantined for 5 months with a little, almost 6 months. No subsidies for employees, no we received more support. That IRPF compensation, well, the support is not considered here yet, “sighed R. Bilinskas.

A slightly more optimistic director of the Forum cinemas.

“We appreciate the situation, that we have to start from something. Let’s start. We are fully prepared to do whatever those restrictions are. Profitability issues, economic issues: here’s another issue. But, in principle, the fact that we can start is, in popular words, spring, ”says G. Plytnik.

Lack of clarity

However, the head of Forum Cinemas also acknowledged that activities are hampered by the current uncertainty.

“We may have preferred the original plan to which we had adapted our visions, the so-called traffic light principle, when in green, yellow or red you know how to behave and what limitations await you. What has been decided now has not yet been officially published ”Says G. Plytnik.

He noted that business has been stagnant for years.

“This year we live in is called waiting, when you are waiting for something, waiting every week. I would like that anticipation to turn into knowledge and for life to come back again. It’s such a philosophical dive here. You want the decisions of those who make them to be clear, precise and designed as much as possible for the future. That would be a wish and a wish ”, shares G. Plytinkas.

The Government’s initial draft resolution envisaged a maximum number of 50 spectators, but during the meeting, Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys suggested an alternative to allow it in a cinema, theater or similar. events for a greater number of people: 150 spectators. Finally, the government approved a higher threshold.

Cinemas will be required to distribute tickets and register viewers electronically. Spectators over 6 years old must wear masks at the cinema. The sale of food and beverages and the provision of other services in cinemas and movie clubs are prohibited.