Cinema Elvire Popesco, en plein air: a discussion with Ioana Dragomirescu
The Elvire Popesco cinema is the first cinema hall in Bucharest to reopen after the post-lockdown relaxation. Working under the title of "Cinema Elvire Popesco en plein air" (Cinema Elvire Popesco in open air), the hall resumed its activity on the 13th of June (exactly three months to the date of its closure), using means adapted to the current situation: one in which the indoor halls are still closed and social distancing is mandatory, but also a time in which when no distribution company has taken upon itself, for the time being, to launch a new film onto the market. Taking these facts into account, the team behind the cinema has designed a selection composed exclusively out of French films, comprising both relatively recent titles (whose posters stand at the entrance to the hall - films such as Doubles Vies, Les Miserables and Dalida) and classical films, which are projected simultaneously on two screens installed in the courtyard of the French Institute: the first screen occupies the outer wall of the cinema, while the second screen is installed on the terrace "Le Bistrot Social", the Institute's café.
Film critic & journalist. Collaborates with local and international outlets, programs a short film festival - BIEFF, does occasional moderating gigs and is working on a PhD thesis about home movies. At Films in Frame, she writes the monthly editorial - The State of Cinema and is the magazine's main festival reporter.
