Italy's cinema infrastructure crisis: only 3 theaters support 70mm film

Despite record box office results in summer 2023, Italy's cinema infrastructure is critically outdated. The Italian government invested millions in ticket subsidies (€3.50) and communication campaigns, leading to exceptional attendance numbers in June, July, and August 2023, surpassing even pre-pandemic years like 2017-2019. However, the release of major films like Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' exposed severe technological gaps: no theater in Italy supports IMAX70, and only three cinemas nationwide can project 70mm film (one near Milan, one in Rome, one in Bologna). Tickets for these screenings cost €14 and required waiting lists. Out of over 3,000 Italian cinemas, only 0.1% are technologically equipped for modern Hollywood blockbusters. Artribune editor Massimiliano Tonelli proposes a '110% law' for cinema renovations, similar to Italy's building renovation superbonus, to transform theaters into contemporary cultural hubs with bookshops, auditoriums, restaurants, and advanced projection technology. He argues that without public investment, many cinemas will continue to close, and those remaining must offer experiences competitive with streaming platforms. The article highlights that some theaters have screens worse than home TVs, making empty seats unsurprising.