CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Since January 24, cinemas in China have been closed. After 179 days’ separation, fans in Chongqing have finally received the good news of cinemas reopening. The once common entertainment way is gradually filling the gap of people’s daily life. With the reopening of cinemas in Chongqing, the industry finally began to revive. The audiences couldn’t wait to greet the reunion in their own way after such a long separation. 

After the reopening, the first batch of audiences went to the UME Cinema in Beicheng Paradise Walk, Guanyinqiao at 8:00 p.m. on July 21. For the audiences’ safety, things such as thermoprobe, alcohol-based disinfectant and masks are required to minimize risks of the epidemic. The staff said from time to time: “please keep a social distance of one meter.”

With twenty minutes left, Gan Yangfan showed up in front of the automatic ticket machine with his girlfriend. “I just took a chance, and checked the ticketing software. It was a pleasant surprise that cinemas really resume operation.” Gan said that half a year had passed since his last visit to cinemas in winter. 

Gan was surprised that he was one of the first batch of audiences after cinemas reopening. He showed off his ticket happily. “It really doesn’t matter which movie to watch. It’s already satisfying being in the cinema and feeling the atmosphere.”

After body temperature check and real-name registration, the audiences began to enter one after another. On that evening, 11 audiences entered the cinema room, and watched the movie, A First Farewell which is the first movie released after cinemas resume operation, and has won many big prizes in film festivals in Berlin, Tokyo and other places. 

The Wanda Cinema in IMIX Park also resumed operation. The first movie on Wanda Cinema’s screen was Sheep Without a Shepherd. In spite of separate seats, the audiences’ hearts are tied. Fans waited for the movie quietly, with their masks on. 

The chance to watch movie in cinemas resulted from the cinemas’ preparation for days. A few days ago, the staff began a thorough sterilization work in cinema rooms.The cinemas took measures, such as prolonged intervals between movies, contactless ticketing, prohibition of food in cinema rooms, and efforts to keep the attendance of each movie below 30%, in an attempt to provide a safe place for the audiences to watch movies. 

Just on the afternoon of the same day, sign of “Pause Service” was still on the desk of the cinema’s reception. A few hours later, the escalators started operation, and information of tickets was released on the ticketing software, marking the return of the cinema. 

According to heads of many cinemas, they had prepared for reopening from the moment they received the news, and the whole industry was looking forward to the reopening. According to the staff, movie fans went to ask about information of the reopening these days, and they hoped to show their support as soon as the reopening. 

According to regulations, cinemas aren’t allowed to sell food and drinks at present, food and drinks are prohibited in cinema rooms, and the sales area in cinemas is empty right now, so it’s temporarily impossible for the audiences to enjoy cola and popcorns as they watch movies in cinema rooms. 

179 days’ separation makes this reunion more precious and sweet. The screen finally lit up, the audiences could continue watching movies, and the industry gradually revived. 

As the familiar opening music started, the “golden dragon” logo appeared on the big screen. He Jiating, who has worked in the cinema for 13 years, said: “I used to hear this sound at most 60 to 70 times a day. I was accustomed to it, but now I feel so excited to hear it.”

In order to present the perfect sound, light and screen to audiences after the reopening, Pan Jie, the projectionist, powered up the machines every four days during the six months to avoid moisture and malfunction. When the movie started, Pan went to the projection room alone, saying “the good days are back again”. (Translated by Xu Mengxue, Fathom Language Limited)