Back on the big screen...film fans flock back as city cinema opens up its doors

FILM lovers clearly weren’t prepared to miss their first chance in months to watch some big screen action as yesterday saw the Everyman Cinema in high demand, writes Barbara Hodgson.

By midday, the boutique cinema in Newcastle’s Grey

Street, had three of its four screens full – with another film set to start – and audiences proved only too keen to catch up on movies such as Oscar-winner Nomadland.

And weather-wise there could not have been a better day for the indoor reopenings as rain set in mid-afternoon.

At Everyman Cinema, manager Anna Coates was delighted to be welcoming back audiences for the first time in months.

“We’re really excited,” she said of the busy opening day, adding that feedback from customers

shows that they can’t wait to see films in a cinema again.

Bookings were going well, with initial slots selling out within two hours of being online.

Following the morning screenings, the mid-afternoon and evening programme was due to be even busier, with the likes of Peter Rabbit ll: The Runaway proving another favourite.

Many people have been blockbooking, she said, to catch up on missed films.

As well as the likes of Nomadland starring Frances McDormand, which won Oscars and Baftas this year for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director, first-week-back films include Judas and the Black Messiah and Godzilla vs Kong.

“We’ve got films that have been previously streamed online as well but a lot of people have bee waiting to watch them on the big screen,” added Anna.

The underground cinema, which has a glamorous bar and velvet sofa seats, is operating at reduced capacity with all the necessary Covid-safe measures, including social distancing between seats.