May 28, 2020 - The famous open-air cinema Kino Bacvice returns tonight with the screening of Israeli film 'Synonyms'.
Slobodna Dalmacija reports that after two years, the dispute between the City of Split and the private company Ekran d.o.o. has ended, which used the space of the Bacvice Open-Air Cinema for years without authorization and refused to hand over the "Zlatna Vrata" center, to which the City gave the space for management.
Film lovers can rejoice because it has been officially confirmed that the City is the 100% owner of this property, and "Zlatna Vrata", in cooperation with Kino Mediteran, will continue managing this Split film oasis, which has been operating since 1956.
Just before the upcoming season, a press conference was held for the first time at the Bacvice Open-Air Cinema, which is already ready for tonight's opening. The prescribed distance between the seats has been set, and at 9.30 pm, the first screening starts - the Israeli film "Synonyms", winner of the prestigious international festival in Berlin.
"For now, screenings will take place three times a week, and depending on the interest of the audience, we will consider increasing that number. As before, we will publish the program on a weekly basis, and due to the situation in the film industry, the backbone will be independent films," said the director of Kino Mediterranean Alen Munitić and called on all citizens to book their tickets online to avoid crowds at the box office.
Although many are probably wondering what will happen to the favorite Mediterranean Film Festival Split, which also takes place at this location, we will have to wait for news about a new date a little longer, says Munitić.
In addition to the announcement of the season, Munitić, together with Deputy Mayor Jelena Hrgović Tomaš and the director of "Zlatni Vrata" Danijela Ćukušić, commented on the past two years of work that were crucial in repositioning the open-air cinema on the city's film map.
Last year, over ten and a half thousand visitors were recorded, or 140 spectators per screening, and thanks to their own investments and the support of the Ministry of Culture, the cinema received new lighting, chairs, portable digital equipment and electrical installations.
"Electricity is very important here; you remember that in the first year we ran out of electricity at the very beginning of the screening," Ćukušić remembers an anecdote related to this cult space, which is gladly visited by both locals and guests.
It is precisely the retention of the recognizable role of the open-air cinema that is the common goal of the City and the "Zlatna Vrata". As Hrgović Tomaš emphasizes, this is the only film stage in the city.
He adds that after a series of realized projects, they also have a horticultural idea in the plan. Although the exact date of the start of work is still unknown, Ćukušić explains that the access will be arranged first, after which the rest of the space will retain its ambient atmosphere and no trees will be demolished unless it is an urgent rehabilitation.
They also emphasize that the tender for repairing the fence has been completed, and the works should start in the coming days.
"Once the space is renovated, the open-air cinema will be self-sustaining," Munitić said positively.
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