BNL BNP Paribas rescues historic Rome cinema Azzurro Scipioni from closure

The Cinema Azzurro Scipioni, a historic independent cinema in Rome founded in 1983 by filmmaker Silvano Agosti, has been saved from closure by BNL and its parent group BNP Paribas. The cinema, known for screening independent and classic films in original language, had hosted legendary Italian directors like Antonioni, Fellini, Monicelli, Scola, Bertolucci, and Bellocchio. It faced closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank's support includes a five-year partnership for conservative restoration of the premises and backing of programming curated by Associazione Culturale L'Immagine, presided by Agosti. BNP Paribas CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé stated the bank is committed to preserving this part of cinematic heritage. Former Rome culture councilor Luca Bergamo had initiated a rescue effort with Fondazione Cinema and Laura Delli Colli, which remained unfinished after his term. Agosti expressed gratitude to Bergamo, Delli Colli, Cinzia Mascoli of Cooperativa Artisti 7607, and pizzaiolo Daniele Frontoni who launched a GoFundMe campaign for a documentary on the cinema's history. The municipality of Rome, which had neglected the cinema, is now seeking to acquire the former Cinema Palazzo in San Lorenzo, an illegally occupied space.