Cinema Vittoria in spino d’Adda Faces Closure
The historic Vittoria cinema in Spino d’Adda is at risk of closing due to drastically low attendance. Parish priest Don Alberto Fugazza, who first raised concerns in 2018, reports a critical situation: only three people attended a Saturday showing last weekend, and five on sunday, generating a total of €58 in revenue. This stark decline in viewership threatens the future of a beloved local institution.
This income barely covers expenses like SIAE fees and the distributor’s 45% cut, leaving little to nothing remaining. While the cinema relies on volunteers and currently avoids personnel costs, even with these savings, expenses are exceeding income, making continued operation unsustainable.The cinema’s financial woes are a direct result of dwindling ticket sales and the fixed costs associated with film distribution and licensing.
Did you know? The SIAE (società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori) collects royalties for the public performance of copyrighted works, including films. These fees represent a notable, unavoidable expense for cinemas like the vittoria.
Don Fugazza emphasizes the dedication of volunteers who maintain the equipment and handle administrative tasks, stating the goal isn’t profit, but to offer a cultural and social service to the community. He describes the cinema as “a small garrison of humanity” and urges residents to actively support it by attending screenings and spreading the word. He specifically notes that social media support is insufficient without physical attendance. The volunteers’ commitment is crucial, but ultimately, the cinema needs a consistent audience to survive.
A brief recovery followed the 2018 appeals, but the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closures severely impacted attendance. The cinema is also struggling against the broader challenges facing the film industry, including competition from modern multiplexes offering a wider range of films and amenities. The pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, pushing the Vittoria to the brink.
Reader question: What memories do you have of the Cinema Vittoria? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let’s show our support!
Don fugazza appeals to the people of Spino d’Adda to revitalize the cinema by regularly attending screenings, warning that if the current trend continues, they risk losing a valuable piece of their community. The future of the cinema Vittoria now rests on the willingness of local residents to actively participate in its preservation. Without a significant increase in attendance, the cinema will be forced to close its doors, ending a long-standing tradition and removing a vital cultural hub from the town.
