Despite timid signs of cultural recovery, the United States continues to count the devastation of Covid-19 on its film industry.
Last sad news for moviegoers: the three hundred cinemas of the ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters networks will definitively close their doors, after a year of paralysis of the sector due to the global pandemic.
The news is all the more dramatic as it comes after theaters were authorized to reopen on March 15 in Los Angeles, with gauges at 25% until June 15.
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"After closing our doors more than a year ago, today we have to announce the difficult and sad news: Pacific will not reopen its ArcLight and Pacific Theaters theaters
,
"
said the parent company of the two chains, Decurion Corp. ., in a press release published on April 12.
She specifies that
"this was not the desired result"
, but that
"the company does not have a viable solution"
, before addressing a few words to employees and the public:
"To all employees of Pacific and ArcLight who have dedicated their professional lives to making our theaters the best places in the world to see movies: we appreciate your service and dedication to our customers.
To our guests and members of the film industry who have made cinema such a magical experience over the years: our sincere thanks.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you. ”
Read also: Covid-19: inventory one year after the closure of cinemas
Gone are the days of some of the film industry's biggest and most popular theaters, including the iconic Cinerama Dome, which hosted the premieres of
Melrose Place
and
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
.
Unlike their competitors, the group's theaters had decided to wait until June 15 to reopen, in order to preserve their profitability.
A calculation that is ultimately not very shrewd.
On social media, the announcement resulted in a string of grieved messages.
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood expressed "her extreme sadness" when writer Matt Oswalt appealed for help:
"Tarantino saved the New Beverly [historic movie theater in Los Angeles, Editor's note], hoping that someone can save the ArcLight. ”