Reykjavík Grapevine - feb. 2020, Blaðsíða 28

Reykjavík Grapevine - feb. 2020, Blaðsíða 28
Still Hope For The Only Arthouse Cinema Cinephiles of Iceland unite, one of the city’s bi!!est cultural landmarks needs you Words: Inês Pereira Photo: Art Bicnick Culture Crisis Iceland's only art-house (and 80s blockbuster) cinema is set to close in late spring. The year is off to a worrisome start for culture in Reykjavík. At the end of January, it was announced that the only arthouse cinema in Reyk- javík, Bíó Paradís, would be clos- ing in three months. The future remains uncertain for one of the city’s major cultural hubs, but film aficionados and Bíó Paradís lovers are mobilizing to save the cinema. It all started 10-years ago, the previous commercial cinema that operated in the building went down with the Icelandic economy in the 2008 financial crash. As the commercial, blockbuster-centric cinemas moved to suburban shop- ping malls, Bíó Paradís was born in the heart of Reykjavík, pumping culture through the city’s veins. New owners, new problems In 2010, Bíó Paradís’ proprietors were able to arrange a great price for the rent of the building. How- ever, in 2015 the building was bought. The new owners planned on immediately doubling the rent, but they weren’t allowed. “Luck- ily, we had just renewed the old rent agreement with the previous owners,” discloses the managing director, Hrönn Sveinsdóttir. “I don’t know if this was something they realized before they bought it but the agreement is for five years, it’s quite clear”. They are looking to negoti- ate with the city and the state, with whom they‘ve been partnered since the beginning, but who currently represent less than 20% of the cinema’s yearly financing, with the rest being raised by the organization. Hrönn believes there are several ways this part- nership can be fruitful, but “the survival of Bió Paradís is a ques- tion of political will and courage.” Besides the obvious problem with the dramatic increase in rent, Bíó Paradís has been in need of maintenance since its opening in 2010. The list of problems is long, from the seats to the air condition- ing to the lack of wheelchair ac- cessibility. In the past three years, the cinema was finally making enough money to cover the debt they incurred purchasing equip- ment. Money was also finally com- ing in from all the services the theatre offers besides film screen- ings. The Power Of Culture The closure of this legendary cul- tural icon would mean a great loss, delivering a blow to the democra- tization of access to culture. For 10 years, Bíó Paradís has been the foremost venue to welcome films from all genres from all over the world, and the only theatre in Iceland to import and sell the ac- claimed films that are available on Video On Demand services and the National Television Network in Iceland. In a show of support and shared grief, hundreds of people filled the foyer of Bíó Paradís on Febru- ary 4th for an event appropriately called, “Save Bíó Paradís.” In an open-mic format, cultural icons and community members shared ideas, praise, and solutions. The ma na gement of Bíó Paradís was i m p r e s s e d a n d pleased that such a movement was formed so quickly. “I think it’s impor- tant that it comes from the grass- roots, not some- thing that we are directly involved in,” Hrönn emphasizes. As we learn in Italian film “Cin- ema Paradiso,” which fittingly shares a name with Reykjavík’s be- loved cinema, life is much harder than the movies, but hopefully, the magic of film will prevail. Find today's events in Iceland! Download our free listings app - APPENING on the Apple and Android stores Film FILM gpv.is/film Share this + Archives A creepshot, but for a good cause “The survival of Bíó Paradís is a question of political will and courage.” Hafnarhús Tryggvagata 17 +354 411 6410 artmuseum.is Open daily 10h00–17h00 Thursdays 10h00–22h00 Ph ot o: E lís ab et D av íð sd ót tir , 2 01 9. Chromo Sapiens Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir/ Shoplifter 23.01.– 19.03.2020 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND Opening Hours Daily 10–17 Closed on Mondays 16/9–30/4 The National Museum of Iceland Su!urgata 41, 101 Reykjavík The Culture House Hverfisgata 15, 101 Reykjavík www.nationalmuseum.is +354 530 2200 @icelandnationalmuseum @thjodminjasafn WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND

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