With all the headlines talking about how the world’s governments are looking to perhaps bailout some of the big industries like airlines, restaurants, and other corporations hurt by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, it’s easy to forget that there are a ton of local businesses that could be driven out of business over the next few months. And many of those businesses could be your local arthouse cinema. Well, filmmaker Edgar Wright recently wrote an essay for Empire that implores cinephiles to try to give back now so that these cinemas can survive this pandemic.
While the big cinema chains such as AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and others are likely going to survive this stoppage for the next couple of months, there are plenty of independent movie houses that could find themselves faced with insurmountable losses. And in this age where streaming is making it easier and easier for folks to skip the theater, fans of the theatrical experience should try to do their best to help these businesses thrive, even in tough times.
“One way of showing your unwavering support is to become a member of your favorite cinema,” wrote Wright. ‘After you’ve read this, why not buy a membership for yourself, or for someone close to you. Buy some gift cards. Donate where you can. Consider, if you can afford to, not asking for your unlimited subscription to be refunded. Yes, you may not be able to go back in the coming months, but you’ll feel better for having helped now than if you later found your local church of cinema had been forced to close for good.”
He continued, “I myself have been buying memberships to cinemas I frequent that I hadn’t already joined. This is not a luxury that everyone can afford, but for those who can, think of the many hard-working staff at your favorite cinemas who may have just lost their jobs. This might help ensure they have a place of work to return to.”
The filmmaker concludes his essay with a promise to fans that when this is all said and done, he will do everything in his power to create work that drives audiences to the comfort of a cinema.
He wrote, “My life was forever changed by a cinema trip when I was three years old (‘Star Wars’ in 1978 at the Galaxy Cinema on Hinton Road in Bournemouth), and I’ve spent the best part of my career trying to recreate the magic of that night out by making the films I’d want to see as an audience member. I promise to keep doing that and everything I can to still give movie acolytes a place of congregation.”
This is a great idea for film fans to show support for independent theaters. As Wright suggested, many independent theaters have ways that you can show support without actually showing up for a screening (memberships, gift cards, etc…). Inspired by Wright’s words, I just bought a one-year membership for MKEfilm (the non-profit that supports Milwaukee film initiatives, including the Oriental Theatre). Obviously, if you’re in a position to help, money is a great way to ensure that these places will continue to operate well after COVID-19 is a thing of the past.