Founded in 1912, the Luminor Hôtel de Ville, the last cinema in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, could soon close its doors.
In a press release published on its social networks on September 21, the cinema announces that SOFRA, the real estate company which owns the premises,
"wishes to evict (the) cinema"
.
The Luminor affirms that this company has been multiplying for several months the
“assaults”
to evict the cinema from its building in the Marais in order to set up offices there.
Contacted by us, this lessor has not yet responded to our requests.
“Despite all our conciliation proposals and the perfect respect of our obligations as tenants, the owners have carried out their threats in court”
, explain the persons in charge of the cinema.
Arrived at the end of its lease, the Luminor therefore finds itself pushed out the door although it has always been able to pay its rent -
"extremely expensive"
, according to François Yon, producer and one of the professionals who took over the establishment in 2016. And this, even in times of health crisis when cinemas were in great difficulty.
Angry, the managers of the establishment are also incomprehensible to see a cultural place threatened in this way.
"We really want to defend ourselves,"
says François Yon.
Faced with SOFRA's decision to bring the matter to justice, the Luminor launched a petition on Wednesday, September 21 to protest against the closure of
"the only and last cinema in the Marais"
.
In a few hours, she collected more than 2000 signatures, a sign of the establishment's popularity.
Becoming the Latina in 1984, then the New Latina in 2008, the Luminor has reinvented itself over the years to remain dynamic and offer an ever more varied program.
Renovated in 2016 and adorned with a new facade and a golden hall, the cinema has been an emblematic place in the center of Paris since 1912.
It is also an important educational space for schools in the neighborhood since
"schoolchildren represent a substantial part of its clientele"
explains François Yon who says he received the visit of many cinema regulars this Thursday.
Also on Twitter, moviegoers and neighborhood residents support Luminor.
Beyond the excitement about this room, some Internet users share their concern for independent cinemas in general.
"We must not procrastinate: the gradual disappearance of all independent Parisian cinemas is very worrying"
can we read for example.
"One day we will only have the choice between UGC or Pathé
," wrote another film buff on Twitter.
"What we want is for people to mobilize, for elected officials to play their role"
, continues François Yon.
In addition to the petition, the Luminor encourages those who want to support it to send an email to SOFRA and its leaders.
He can even provide a turnkey plea:
“I am a spectator of the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema (and/or a resident of the district).
I want to tell you my anger about your intention to close this cinema to replace it with a real estate project.
Postcards are also available to the public in the hall of the cinema, to be addressed to the town hall of the 4th arrondissement.
Finally, the cinema reminds us that the best way to support it is to go see a film there.
“This cinema belongs to you and you have the right to defend it”,
concludes the manager of this room.
