Relief For Fans As Luxembourg Heads Back To The Movies
Chand Sahkeel Published March 05, 2021 | 09:21 PM
It was a cautious return, under strict hygiene rules. The stars didn't shine and the red carpet was never unrolled
Luxembourg, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2021 ) :It was a cautious return, under strict hygiene rules. The stars didn't shine and the red carpet was never unrolled.
But the Luxfilmfest motivated a small group of the Grand Duchy's cinephiles to return to the movies after a long absence.
Luxembourg's theatres have already reopened, the festival's artistic director Alexis Juncosa said, but his event has been the first post-lockdown outing for many fans.
This week's opening night audience was limited to a sell-out 100 guests, appropriately masked and distanced, but movie buffs were happy.
"It feels a bit like life is starting again. I feel safe. Everything seems to be very well managed," said moviegoer Corinne, before the curtain went up on "Nomadland", by Golden Globe-winning Chinese director Chloe Zhao.
"There are few people and everyone wears the mask," said Giulio, for whom going to the cinema amounted to a personal campaign for normality in a world haunted by the virus.
"Here, we go every week," he says, complaining that in his native Italy -- scene of one of Europe's worst Covid outbreaks -- the cinemas are still closed.
For the festival, moviegoers are issued seat numbers and the seats in use are all at least two metres (six and half feet) apart.
Eight dramatic films are in competition, along with six documentaries.
The audience can vote for their favourites by telephone text message, but the jury -- chaired by French actor Sandrine Bonnaire -- will follow proceedings virtually, from Paris.
- 'Island of the blessed' - The prize will be unveiled on March 13 on the eve of closing night, which organisers hope will attract several hundred moviegoers.
Juncosa says that to his knowledge his Luxembourg festival is the first to be held in Europe for live audiences since the pandemic began.
This year's Berlinale -- usually far bigger -- was held entirely online for critics and industry buyers but judged by a jury which watched the 15 contenders in a specially reserved cinema in the German capital.
Juncosa, a Frenchman in polyglot Luxembourg, said he wanted to use the event to "prove it's possible to enjoy culture without taking a risk".
"We hope, even at our small level, to help demonstrate that a festival is something that is feasible," he told AFP, lamenting the toll the pandemic has taken on cinema.
Created in 2011, the annual Luxfilmfest was cancelled last year during the first wave of Covid-19.
Cultural activity resumed in January in the country after the pandemic receded, creating what the president of the festival called "a sort of island of the blessed, in the arts".
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Showbiz
-
Aiman Khan granted UAE Golden Visa
11 hours ago -
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
1 day ago -
Superstar Muhammad Ali remembered on 93rd birth anniversary
5 days ago -
Hania enjoys vacations in London
5 days ago -
Death anniversary of famous singer,actress Khursheed Bano observed
6 days ago -
Bushra Ansari ties knot with Iqbal Hussain
8 days ago
-
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan embarks on Umrah journey
19 days ago -
Famous singer Shaukat Ali death anniversary Shaukat Ali observed
22 days ago -
Animal Actor Shafina Shah loses Ms.Pakistan title
22 days ago -
Mehwish Hayat unveils trailer for upcoming film 'Dagha Baaz Dil’
23 days ago -
Welcome to the Beyonce rodeo: new country album drops to praise
25 days ago -
Welcome to the Beyonce rodeo: new country album drops to praise
26 days ago