Mobile film screenings in France

Audiences watch a film at a "mobile cinema" in France.

As countries develop and the world becomes more modern, this form of film screening is declining, and in many places around the world, it has completely disappeared. Yet, in the Loire Valley Center of France, mobile film screenings have been maintained for over 40 years. Since October 1, 2022, they have even been experimenting with what is called a "mobile cinema" or "mobile movie theater." After almost a year and a half, this experiment has proven very successful, and because of its success, it's not surprising that this form of film screening is not only being maintained and developed, but has also become a model intended for application in many other places across the country, likely not limited to France alone.

The name perfectly reflects its nature. It's a real movie theater, capable of moving from one location to another. Audiences sit in a private space with comfortable, well-maintained seats bearing the "Made in France" label. The screening room is air-conditioned and ventilated, so even harsh or unfavorable weather conditions won't hinder the screening. Although it's a mobile theater in a remote, rural area far from the city, the technology and equipment are state-of-the-art, and the latest films are shown. The ticket price is negligible compared to movie tickets in the city.

The mobile cinema is essentially a large truck repurposed as a movie theater. This truck is 14 meters long and 4.4 meters high. When in traffic, it's 2.55 meters wide. To transform into a cinema, the truck opens on both sides, creating seating for 100 viewers. All four sides are enclosed for darkness and soundproofed to ensure the highest sound quality without disturbing the outside environment. This mobile cinema is funded by the Loire Valley Center government and the French National Film Center, and implemented by the local cultural authority. Throughout the year, this mobile cinema travels to 46 locations in the region and, in 2023 alone, welcomed tens of thousands of viewers.

The idea here is to bring cinema to areas where people lack the financial means and transportation to access mainstream cinemas in major cities. On certain occasions, famous actors, whether in leading or supporting roles in the film being screened, are invited to meet and chat with the audience.

The combination of a nostalgic and modern viewing experience is what audiences find most appealing and is a major advantage of this mobile cinema. In today's modern world, online movie streaming poses the greatest threat to the fate of traditional movie theaters. Because modern conveniences are increasingly prevalent, movie theaters can only survive and thrive if audiences can truly experience the stark difference between enjoying a film in a theater and watching it online.

Therefore, the successful experiment in France has very positive cultural value and impact.

LA PHU

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