Allons au cinéma – Film goers in Paris have it all
MK2 cinema at Odeon
The days of small rickety cinemas whose red upholstered seats and proscenium arch facades have created a nostalgic aura in the cinematic world have disappeared – or so I thought. Choosing a film in Paris is a decision that nobody takes lightly and everyone seems to indulge in. Parisian outings to the cinema are somewhat of a past time which retains an important role in terms of the country’s national heritage. Whether it is morning, afternoon or night the cinema salles across Paris are always packed to the brim.
At Odeon, during the evening sunset, the streets either side of Boulevard St Michel are crowded with eager cinemas goers, all of whom seem to have a burning desire to sit themselves down in the auditorium. MK2 and UGC, the two largest cinemas in France, are naturally overflowing with cinema goers of all ages. Slightly smaller streets to the side contain some delightful smaller cinemas who still maintain their original projection units. These privately owned cinemas show everything from modern day blockbusters to small budget films in Japan. Cinematic audiences in France have no limit to their intrigue and curiosity for films of a more peculiar nature.
It has to be said that the French protectionist attitudes towards their national heritage has preserved a cinematic world with its unique twists and turns. The type of cinema in Anglo-Saxon countries which is fundamentally a place where Hollywood has firmly imbedded its roots is no where to be seen in France. The government subsidies the French film industry so that films with native actors and producers are released almost every week.
During my time in Paris I have seen films from Japan, Singapore, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, England, Norway and of course the United States. Moreover, these films have always entailed a lengthy post discussion and analysis period in a nearby café. The entire cinematic experience in Paris is far from a trip to your local Warner Brothers multiplex whose additional attractions include arcade machines and over-sized pick-n-mix factories.
Like with everything else, the French have succeeded to render the cinematic outing an intellectually stimulating social experience. This can be seen through the chemically charged ambience inside the cinema during a showing. The audience seem to create a common wave length that everyone appears to understand as they respond in unison to stimulating cinematic moments.
I can safely say that a trip to a privately owned left bank cinema in Paris is more than just the watching of a film. It is an opportunity to discover, learn and confront the world’s different cultures.
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
I have many fond memories of the old picture palaces, the "Royal Box" each side of the proscenium, I used to sit in them when with my pals, and we would mischievously "royally" wave to the throng below as the anthem would play!
God Save The Queen....and we would stand up for it...I used to stand up at home when I heard it on TV...but quickly got out of that idiosyncrasy, thanks to my sarcastic older bully boy brothers.
The huge glass counters with lots of chocolates, lolllies, pop corn, and the ever present red and green cordial in glass dispensers, that would freeeze your throat, and of course the choc top ice cream....
So Paris has kept their old cinemas....good on them...I worked in theatre for many years, and sadly we have lost a lot of the live ones too.
adieu and nice post too!
fog