RENOIR TO REOPEN AS CINECIUTAT AT THE END OF MONTH

The cooperative of film buffs which was set up in order to raise the necessary funds to save the cinema complex from closure has 800 paid up members, many of whom are British residents, and they have all paid differing amounts into the initiative.

Yesterday, after a meeting of the cooperative on Thursday night, Pedro Barbadillo, the President of the Mallorca Film Commission and the man behind the campaign to keep the complex alive, declared yesterday as a “historic day” and confirmed that the CineCiutat will begin screenings from July 2.

On the weekend of June 20 and July 1, various events will take place at the complex to mark the reopening of the premises including a concert by the Majorcan group Cap Pela and the singer Pepe Charro.

Spokesperson for the campaign “Save the Renoir”, Nuria Abad, assured the Bulletin yesterday that as far as the film going public is concerned, CineCiutat will continue operating along similar lines as the Renoir. “Our philosophy is exactly the same, to screen independent, quality, art house films in their original version and that obviously means in English because we know how popular the complex was with the British and English-speaking community. “However, we are introducing a host of other new features which will make the centre more alive and much better,” she added.
Barbadillo explained that they want to breathe more life into the cinema complex. For example, we are studying the possibility of running a series of classic films and also organise after school activities for colleges and institutes.

The new management body is also looking into setting up a kindergarten so parents can enjoy easier and more regular access to the cinema; and also into screening a series of short films.

Additionally, there are plans to operate special afternoon sessions for pensioners at special rates and also rent out the cinemas for private events or private screenings.

The complex will be available for local film producers and directors to showcase their films. Barbadillo said that they want to make the new complex a key part of Palma's cultural world.

The next challenge Barbadillo and his team face is the end of analogue cinemas in 2014 when all of the complex will have to go digital and they are already in talks with various companies with regards to leasing or purchasing Blue Ray digital projectors for the four screening rooms the complex has.

But, in the meantime, they have all the equipment they need and the projectors are ready to start rolling again on July 2 once the line up of films has been agreed.