Bari's historic cinemas survive the crisis

Despite the crisis of movie theaters, several historic cinemas in Bari, Puglia, remain active. The Cinema Galleria, founded in 1948 inside Palazzo Giordano, was renovated in 2005 into a multiplex with 7 screens, offering restored classics, original-language films, and special programs like '9 mesi e 1/2' for new mothers and 'Domenica dei bambini' for children. It also hosts theater, opera, and live concerts, plus an outdoor summer arena. Cinema ABC, established in 1976 by Mario Nuzzolese and designed by his son Vincenzo, is a pioneering art-house venue with 100 seats and a key role in founding FICE. Cinema Splendor, opened in 1957 but closed until 1989, features 280 seats and focuses on European and Mediterranean auteur films; it also houses the Arci Pierrot le fou cultural club. Cinema Esedra, located in the parish of San Giuseppe, is the last cinema in the Madonnella district with 400 seats and art-house programming. Cinema Il Piccolo, founded in 1999 with 144 seats, introduced live event broadcasts in 2007, including 'L'Opera va al cinema' from major theaters, and later created the Piccolo Pr.in.ci.pe cultural circle. It also runs 'Film & Sapori,' pairing auteur films with local food tastings.