A few months ago, the film community – and not only – was alarmed by the limited collapse that has occurred in the cinema. Ideal. “The cinema will remain closed until the damage is repaired,” the relevant announcement said, and despite the soothing tone of those in charge, everyone was worried. After all, the damage to the iconic Apollo – Attikon was also limited, but after a decade they remain hermetically sealed. Fortunately, everything worked out, and the “Ideal” reopened. However, this and two other cinemas in the center now face a new threat.

About two weeks ago, a group of assessors working on behalf of EFKA arrived at the Astor cinema building, in the passage overlooking Stadiou Street, at the height of Korai Square. His presence was due to the planned use of certain property, as well as several others belonging to the organization.

Two studies

“One solution would be to declare protected areas usable, as was done last summer under the Melina Mercouri law.”

“From what we have learned, there are two different studies for our own building: one involves keeping two stores, Astor and one is commercial and the other is not. However, even in the first case, it is unlikely that the space will remain a cinema,” Astor director Babis Kontarakis tells us.

However, EFKA also owns the famous Schliemann Mansion at the intersection of 45 Paneseptimiou and Charilaou Trikoupi Streets, where Ideal is also located. The view building has been mothballed and, according to two months ago “K”, should be transferred to a long-term lease – conversion into a luxury hotel. However, according to Mr. Kontarakis, the front yard portion of the Ideal is likely to be demolished, which obviously means the destruction of the historic cinema. Aello, which has operated as a cinema – first in the summer and then in the winter – since 1939 at 140 Rue Paticion, appears to be facing a similar risk from the exploitation of the property. “These cinemas are places of culture, landmarks of the city. . It would be a tragedy if they closed and obviously couldn’t move. Also here we are talking about a state body, therefore, about state political management. We propose to provide for their maintenance in any contracts concluded for buildings in general. One solution would be to declare the premises reserved for use, as was done in the past for the summer (and therefore they were preserved) under the Melina Mercouris law,” notes Mr. Kontarakis. And he concludes: “A few days ago I was in Madrid, and what I saw made me melancholy. There are too many independent movie theaters downtown to stand out as protagonists of the urban landscape. We invested in Astor in 2015 and have done our best to improve it ever since. Last year, due to the pandemic, we were hit hard by the indifference, if not hostility of the state towards the halls, and now comes the icing on the cake.

If you count, then there are only four other halls of the historical center: Ideal, Astor, Asti, Elli. Yesterday’s good news was the re-opening of the Opera cinema at the Academy, operated by Odeon. But if for every theater that opens, there are two that close, something is wrong…