5 ms·
I wonder what the economics are of the boutique theatres in places like Portland and Berlin. Berlin seems to have several dozen independent cinemas - all radica
by dbspin 3y ago
I wonder what the economics are of the boutique theatres in places like Portland and Berlin. Berlin seems to have several dozen independent cinemas - all radically different (although many are part of the York Kino group). These go all the way from tiny neighbourhood (kiez) cinemas that are a few couches arranged around a 10 foot screen, to enormous screens in iconic buildings. There are also Summer Kinos, giant semi-permanent outdoor screens that show films in woodland and urban settings within the city. It's an incredible part of Berlin life. Oh and they all serve wine, beer and radler, plus usually a variety of branded sweets. Ticket prices are usually under 10 euro too.
There are of course lots of multi-plex type cinemas in Berlin too, and they're just as trashy as those in the rest of Europe and the US. But they seem comparatively less popular.
- bombcar 3y agoIf the theater owns the building they can survive bot very little. If they rent, they will get squeezed quite hard.
- Scoundreller 3y agoDepends. I can imagine the zoning in some parts of Europe being “this property is zoned as a theatre and can only be used as such” and that will drive down rent.
- bombcar 3y agoYeah, and "vintage" theaters can get away with a lot less "bells and whistles" like digital projection and other things the article is talking about.
- dbspin 3y agoAbsolutely, they're positively the opposite of the experience described in the article. Much more chill, casual destination. I enjoy a good 3D, seat shaking multiplex experience perhaps once a year. But the casual drop into to sit on a couch with a beer and some fancy candy Berlin cinema experience is something I indulged in weekly when I lived there.