On July 21, the date of implementation of the health pass in cultural places, the cinema sector first protested, with supporting figures.
By brandishing a drop in attendance of 71% that Wednesday, the environment designated the new measure as the only responsible.
Already, an economic disaster was envisaged and new aid requested from the State 48 hours later.
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Some quickly found an alternative by setting up gauges for 49 people, the pass being mandatory from 50 people.
Alas, this gauge disappears today.
Nothing has changed for wearing a mask: it is still not compulsory, but the prefects and operators can decide otherwise.
A measure from which some spectators are freed, however.
More than two weeks after the installation of the pass (the adaptation time deemed necessary to accept the measure), the drop in admissions was stopped.
But above all, the box office figures largely contradict the alarmist rhetoric of cinemas.
Kaamelott and OOS 117 successes
One only has to look at the success of
Kaamelott
, released on July 21. The adaptation of the Alexandre Astier series on the big screen has already attracted 1.5 million spectators. Remained at the top of the box office since its release, the film has just been dethroned by
OSS 117. Red alert in black Africa
, on screens since August 4. The new adventures of the very special spy drew just over 200,000 spectators on the first day. And it has remained at the top of the starters ever since. In the rest of the lineup,
Jungle Cruise
and
The Suicide Squad
Also doing well, as well as animated films (a new one scheduled every Wednesday until the end of August).
However, children under 12, usually accompanied by adults, do not need a pass.
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While there were fears that many feature films would be postponed, the pass had little impact. Only Wednesday August 25 loses its locomotive.
Eiffel
, by Martin Bourboulon, has been postponed to October 13, but will open the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival on August 24. Favored by unfavorable weather and a great appetite from the public too long deprived of the big screen (July was a very good month), the cinema should not be able to blame the health pass to justify a drop in admissions.
