It’s never the same watching it on TV. The noise of the household, the pause button, and bad lighting all conspire to provide a lesser experience. It’s a different story walking into a real theater. When the lights go down you experience the movie as you were meant to, in all its auditory and visual glory. Just as the artists intended.
Now theaters themselves are under threat. The Covid-19 Pandemic has hit them hard, and they’re approaching a precipice.
Recently, I reported on how Coronavirus was effecting cinemas in Pasadena, CA. Speaking with Greg Laemmle, the owner of his family’s eponymous theater chain, I learned things are dire. His theater business is hemorrhaging tens of thousands a month, employee furloughs may soon turn into layoffs, and Laemmle himself, “will be joining my employees in an unpaid situation shortly.”
“However, if aggressive social distancing measures continue, Laemmle fears the loss of the summer movie-going season could doom the chain, absent some sort of relief program. This means Memorial Day, the film season’s traditional starting date, could represent the edge of the cliff,” I reported.
There are dozens of cinemas throughout the Los Angeles area and nearly six thousand across the U.S.. While larger chains make up the majority of the industry, there are many smaller ones. This represents thousands of jobs. Permanently losing them in this time of economic downturn would not just be a financial loss for all of society, but a great personal one for those affected. The disappearance of these theaters wouldn’t just effect the workers. Nearby businesses, restaurants, and vendors would no doubt take a hard hit. These economic ramifications are not trivial.
Beyond the financial consequences we must discuss the societal ones. So many of us have fond memories of these theaters. They are after all where multitudes of first dates and family outings occur. Some of the great moments of life. When this pandemic has already taken so much, why let it take our special places from us too.
It should be said here that art in general and films in particular are not just a frivolity. For many, myself included, they have been great sources of insight and inspiration. They help us better perceive the world and ourselves. Perhaps even more importantly, movies are tools that can bring some of society’s most pressing issues to the forefront, help us see beyond our own experience, and empathize with others. Independent films are particularly well suited to this, and indies are exactly the kind of thing venues like Laemmle tend to feature prominently.
Sometimes these little cinemas give indie films a much needed platform when larger chains might pass them up for bigger studio productions. This exposure can help build the word of mouth that leads to successful awards season campaigns and better future opportunities for the artists.
All the better, because the diverse and talented crop of independent filmmakers to emerge as of late is stunning. Jordan Peele, Ava Duvernay, Greta Gerwig, Sean Baker, Lulu Wang, and Barry Jenkins just to name a few. Down and out single mothers and kids in a Florida hotel, a young couple who’s love is torn apart by structural racism, and a Chinese family struggling with a secret are all brought to life by these directors.
In this time when we’re overcome with cruelty, inequality, structural oppression, and social apathy these films prove to be vital messages. If we consider this as something secondary, something we can let die in a tough time, that says we have a collective contempt for culture. Holding this contempt when culture is so vital says something very negative about our society.
For these reasons it is imperative that government, be it local, state, federal, or some combination thereof, take action to protect cinemas. Care must be take in how this is done. Laemmle’s warning are pertinent.
“He cautions that the benefits of a theater bailout could end up only going to the big players like AMC and Regal. He is in favor of oversight to make sure that small chains like his would receive proper aid as well,” I reported for Pasadena Weekly.
A well administered bailout, with emphasis on the smaller, most imperiled theaters, is called for. Proper oversight is a must to make sure that the funds are allocated where they are most needed. A freeze on theaters’ rents and mortgage payments, which Laemmle admitted would help, should be a part of this.
It is good we should have places to assemble in reverence for the things we love, that provide beauty and wisdom in our lives. When this plague has passed it’s vital we ask ourselves what sort of society we want to emerge into.
If we want one with a rich, vibrant culture we must protect vital cultural institutions, including our movie theaters.
About the author: Mathew Foresta is a writer, journalist, and photographer. His work has appeared in HuffPost, VICE, LAist, The North Star, and Pasadena Weekly. You can follow him on Twitter @ForestaWriter and on Instagram @Foresta_Writer.