rome —
The city of Rome has launched “The Big Chill” initiative, named after the 1983 blockbuster film, to offer free movies in air-conditioned movie theaters during unusually hot summer days.
According to energy company Enel, less than half of Italians have air conditioning installed in their homes. In Rome, sweltering citizens are joining portable “fan clubs” to escape the sweltering heat.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced the cool idea at a press conference and on social media Wednesday, saying it was designed to give people without air conditioning a chance to cool off and help fight isolation through socialization, recreation and cultural participation.
Gualtieri said Wednesday that “there will be beautiful films, including new ones.”
“There will be a different movie shown every day, and since not everyone has air conditioning, people will be able to spend time watching movies in a cool environment.”
Films to be screened include director Paola Cortelesi’s “There’s Still a ‘Tomorrow’, ‘Flaminia’ directed by Michael Giraud, ‘Volare’ directed by Margherita Bui, ‘One Step at a Time: Fabi Silvestri Gazze’ directed by Francesco Cordio, ‘Flaminia’ directed by Claudio Giovannisi. “Ten Minutes” directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi, “Romeo is Juliet” directed by Giovanni Veronessi, “A Hundred Sundays” by Antonio Albanese, “Summer with Irene” by Carlo Sironi, and “I Am Not Me” by Edoardo Leo.
Free movies may sound like a Roman holiday, but the program is aimed at Roman citizens, not tourists who frequent air-conditioned hotel rooms. Moviegoers can watch two movies a day. All participating theaters will show the same set of films for the entire period, which may be extended if the heat wave continues.
Large venues such as the city’s auditorium and Palais Expo Center will also be open to the public and host free exhibitions that people can visit. Libraries, performance theaters, co-working spaces and other air-conditioned venues will also be open to the public free of charge from 1pm to 6:30pm until August 4th.
Europe is enduring a brutal heatwave summer, with many cities taking special measures to provide water and cooling space to residents without air conditioning at home.
Residents of Rome are enduring temperatures hovering around 98 degrees Fahrenheit all week. Next week could bring another heat wave with highs reaching 104 degrees. August is expected to be even hotter, according to Italy’s official weather forecast source, the Italian Air Force.
Gualtieri said Rome currently has 178 climate change shelters across the city. “I think this is the most in the world,” he said Wednesday. “Supermarkets don’t count because there are no toilets in Rome.”
This open cinema initiative is sponsored by the city’s Department of Culture and Zetema Progetto Cultura. Popcorn will be charged separately.
