Following a tumultuous pandemic period, France is witnessing a remarkable revival in movie attendance, as reported by Parisian cinema owner Ronald Chammah. Once facing uncertainty about the future of moviegoing in France, a surge of audience enthusiasm has led to record-breaking attendance in recent months. In stark contrast to the global film industry, which struggled in 2024 due to various factors including labor strikes in Hollywood, France embraces a cultural ethos that champions the arts, strongly motivating citizens to patronize their local theaters.
Revival of In-Person Moviegoing: A French Cinematic Renaissance
Revival of In-Person Moviegoing: A French Cinematic Renaissance
The French film industry celebrates a notable resurgence in cinema attendance post-pandemic, reinforcing cultural values.
Chammah recalls a particularly striking day in November when screenings featuring Armenian art-house filmmakers sold out, marking the highest attendance his theaters experienced. This uptick is reflective of a broader trend where French audiences are returning to the theaters, contrasting with concerns raised during the Oscars about the ongoing loss of movie screens in the United States. The Institut Lumière, a film society in Lyon, highlighted this revival, celebrating increased attendance as a reaction not just to the pandemic but also as a resistance to the pervasive digital culture.
This revival may also signify a deeper appreciation for cinema as an art form in France, a sentiment echoed by both audiences and film professionals alike. As theaters fill up once more, the notion of a moral obligation to support the cultural arts remains a vibrant part of the French experience, promoting the unique social gathering that cinemas offer beyond the confines of home viewing. In a landscape marked by digital distractions, the French commitment to "les salles obscures" is helping to reestablish cinema as a beloved public pastime.
This cultural renaissance, distinct from struggles seen elsewhere, showcases France’s resilience and passion for film, leaving a question for the global cinematic community about how to encourage similar revivals in their own settings.
This revival may also signify a deeper appreciation for cinema as an art form in France, a sentiment echoed by both audiences and film professionals alike. As theaters fill up once more, the notion of a moral obligation to support the cultural arts remains a vibrant part of the French experience, promoting the unique social gathering that cinemas offer beyond the confines of home viewing. In a landscape marked by digital distractions, the French commitment to "les salles obscures" is helping to reestablish cinema as a beloved public pastime.
This cultural renaissance, distinct from struggles seen elsewhere, showcases France’s resilience and passion for film, leaving a question for the global cinematic community about how to encourage similar revivals in their own settings.
