“The people of Chartrain are movie buffs, they love cinema,” rejoices Natacha Maxin, director of the Les Enfants du paradis cinema. After several somewhat difficult years after the Covid crisis, in 2024, “the public has returned to the theaters and we also have a lot of young people who use their Culture pass
to afford sessions.”
If the year 2024 was initially marked by two fairly calm periods during the holidays in February and then April, due to the absence of films dedicated to young audiences offered during this period, several feature films then largely carried the good attendance at the cinema. “In July, for example, we had twice as many spectators as in 2023…”
And the winner is… Without real surprise,A little something extra
a French film directed by Artus, released in April 2024, worked very well, as it did almost everywhere in cinemas. Remaining on display for several weeks, it received 30,400 entries. “People want good feelings, simple people. There was also a lot of communication and word of mouth around this film,” continues the director. In second place comesVice-Versa 2
an American animated film about emotions. This Disney production, released in June, recorded 23,337 admissions. Another success in France and also in Chartres,Le Comte de Monte Cristo
released in June, was programmed for several months at Les Enfants du paradis: “It remained all winter and was also a hit with all generations, with 21,372 admissions. It’s also the favorite film for those under 25. » In fourth position in the ranking, we find another animated film from Disney studios,Vaiana 2
which was seen, in Chartres, by 20,891 people. Finally, almost tied, the romantic drama by Gilles Lellouche, Love phew and the cartoonDespicable Me 4
each total a little more than 11,000 entries.
“Films live longer than before”
Natacha Maxin notes that habits are changing in cinema, particularly in terms of distribution. “Today, films live much longer than before. As long as there is demand, we maintain it, but when they go on VOD, I no longer see the point of showing them in theaters. »
Another trend observed by the director: “People are bombarded with information about films, there is a lot of promotion, with an effect linked to influence. Before, there was an element of mystery, we went to a cinema without necessarily knowing everything about a film. »
After noting that people had a “tendency to go out a little less late in the evening” and after discussions with Chartres restaurateurs, the times were brought forward. “We are now offering a session around 6:30 p.m. and a last one around 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. This also has an impact on attendance…”
Make choices
The task of the Children of Paradise team is also to select the films that will be shown, knowing that around 300 are broadcast every year. “Around fifteen films come out every week. We have to make choices, especially for art house productions, which have a lot of potential. Here we have someone who watches all the films and advises us on which ones are likely to please and work. » The cinema also offers debate evenings with the public or previews with the actors. The team of Bodin’s
will also soon come to present their fourth film. The structure will also participate in the Télérama film festival, from January 22 to 28, with films at €4 per ticket. Then, in February, at the Mycéliandes science fiction festival. So many events which also contribute to bringing this precious city center cinema to life.
System of access to cultural activities for young people between 15 and 18 years old.
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