In Frontignan, the Quai des Lumières cinema is reinforcing its commitment to an open and accessible culture by implementing a “suspended tickets” program, so that everyone can see a movie.
“The principle is simple,” says Natanael Rojas, cultural mediator and projectionist at Quai des Lumières. “A box, placed near the cash registers, allows viewers to leave a few coins, like a tip. Once a sufficient amount is reached, with the lowest ticket price being 5.50 euros, tickets are collected and redistributed through partner associations, currently the Secours Populaire.”
Similar to the concept of suspended coffees (a Neapolitan tradition where you order and pay for two coffees, one for yourself and one for a needy customer who will request it), this initiative already exists in other cinemas like Les Variétés in Marseille and Le Méliès in Saint-Etienne.
“Defending cinema means making it accessible to everyone. It is also important to normalize the idea that sometimes, with a tight budget that doesn’t allow paying for a movie ticket, requesting a suspended ticket is legitimate,” explains Natanael.
In place for several weeks now, the initiative has successfully collected donations and generated the first seven suspended tickets donated to the Secours Populaire for the Tuesday, May 12th movie session.
The goal now is to expand this program by engaging the public and broadening partnerships with local associations.
Midi Libre Correspondent: 06 78 75 48 78
